This Dribbling practice requires at least 5 players in a 15 yard diameter circle area, with each player beginning with a ball each to dribble. Players encouraged to be creative and try as many tricks and dribbles as they can unopposed to begin with before introducing various obstacles and challenges.
Attacking Emphasis80%80%
Defending Emphasis20%20%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progression 1: Add 2 Areas
Add 2 areas, where players must perform a different trick and with increased traffic closer control is encouraged.
Progression 2: Add Defender
Add a defender to add pressure to dribblers, so they must avoid each other as well as perform a dribble in area.
Progression 3: Passing Floater
With increased difficulty with added defender, a floater could act as a wall pass for dribblers under pressure.
Key Coaching Points
– Technical – Close control under pressure of defenders – Technical – Ability to use both feet in turning – Physical – Change of Pace when required
Q&A
– Is the space available for players appropriate? – How can I work individually with each player? – Is there room to extend the challenge for higher ability players?
Practice one of our ball mastery section focuses on improving dribbling skills, with half of the group on a ball in the central area, and the remaining players on the outside. Players must dribble the ball to the outside and lay off to an outside player, encourage a change of direction when entering the square.
Attacking Emphasis90%90%
Defending Emphasis10%10%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Coaching Points: Receive on the Move
Players must dribble the ball to the outside and lay off to an outside player, encourage a change of direction when entering the square.
Progression 1: Rotational Movement
Progress to a one two pass on the outside, allowing all players to be involved in rotational movement in and out of the square. Focus on takeover and speed of movement when transferring.
Progression 2
Players use their weaker foot in the central area, encouraging the need to think about changing direction on entering specific zones where there is player congestion.
Key Coaching Points
Tech | Ability to use both feet
Tech | Close control
Physical | Agile to change direction
Q&A
How can you keep close control?
How can you avoid players in your dribbling?
What changes in smaller and larger areas in your dribble?
This is practice 9 of our Ball Mastery Collection and adds an element of competition to player’s dribbling technique, with 2 and then 4 players competing to reach and dribble the ball into specific zones.
Attacking Emphasis75%75%
Defending Emphasis25%25%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Player Challenge
Players must race to the ball and dribble into a specific area under pressure. To win the challenge players must dribble 2 balls into different areas.
Progression 1: Challenge both sides – Only older players
We can now set 2 pairs off at same time with the same challenge, now with the added obstacle of players from the opposite end trying to dribble into the same areas. This should only be applied to older age groups, with the risk of collision with yonger players playing with their head down.
This practice is for younger players and focuses on their ability to dribble into specific zones, changing direction and speed as they progress. We can introduce various progressions to challenge players varying numbers, opposition, space and time.
Attacking Emphasis80%80%
Defending Emphasis20%20%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progression 1
We introduce 2 defending players with a ball ion their hand and they must tag as many players as they can in a given time period.
Progression 2
Players must now dribble through as many cone triangles as possible in the time given, whilst being challenged by the 2 defenders and having other players as obstacles.
Progression 3
Challenge dribbling players now to dribble through 3 different coloured cone triangles without getting tagged to double their score from 3 to 6. Rotate defending players, providing a score for each pair depending on how many players they have been able to tag.
Key Coaching Points
Technical: Ball Control is crucial in tight spaces
Technical: Ability to change direction to avoid defenders
Physical: Balance to change direction, speed to get away
Q&A
How can you avoid defending players better what are the triggers?
How can you change direction quicker in between cones?
When do you lose control of the ball and what can you do to prevent this?
This Ball Mastery practice is focused on dribbling with players challenged to improve their technique within competition. With 2 players with a ball each on opposite facing cones, they must dribble around each of these at an angle and to run the ball through 2 poles. Pair players based on their age and ability and set competition, with the winner gaining a point for their team.
Attacking Emphasis80%80%
Defending Emphasis20%20%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progression 1
Progress the practice, by introducing 2 mini goals for individuals to score into, with every player scoring a point for a goal, with the fastest gaining a 2nd point.
Key Coaching Points
Technical| Ability to dribble around cones, changing direction
Physical| Balance is crucial at this age, especially with youngest players
Technical| Dribbling at pace with ball under control
Q&A
How do specific players respond to competition?
Are players paired up correctly ensuring they are motivated?
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