Training technique

Organisation

• Create a corridor area to dribble through and groups of three players in rows
• They take turns to dribble through the corridor using different parts of the foot
• They can practise other skills as they return to the start along the outside
• Next, ask the players to weave in and out of each other and change direction while dribbling
• Use the players on the outside to create interference

Ways to make the exercise easier

• To begin with, the players can walk rather than running or jogging
• Encourage use of both feet to touch the ball

Ways to make the exercise harder

• The players have to use only the inside or outside of their feet, or alternate between them
• They have to change direction at least three times before reaching the end
• Challenge them to dribble round the two other players before reaching the end
• Create interference or add a blocker in the corridor

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you think of a great dribbler with the ball and copy her/him?
• Why do we dribble with the ball?
• Can you show me different ways to dribble?
• How did players in this game demonstrate responsibility on the pitch?

Saftey tips

• Ensure only three players go at a time
• Make sure the players on the outside pass the ball along the ground when trying to interfere

Organisation

• Organise four areas and divide your players into these four areas
• Each area has a different task in moving the ball between them
• Ask the players to think of ways to move the ball between them
• Challenge the groups not to let the ball leave their areas
• After a few minutes, all the players move to a new area and challenge

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Make the areas larger
• Players might start by walking or jogging

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Make a competition between players in each group – who can be the best?
• One player could become a blocker
• Introduce more than one ball per group to increase the intensity

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you demonstrate your task for me? (Ask each group)
• Can you create an exercise in your area that relates to something that happens in a game?
• Can you tell me how to do it? (Ask for a verbal response)
• How did players in this game demonstrate responsibility on the pitch?

Saftey tips

• Create safe areas between each area and allow a short rest as the groups rotate, if needed

Organisation

• Create some mini-pitches and play 3v3
• Each team has to try to score by knocking the ball off a cone or hitting targets
• Encourage the players to dribble when 1v1
• Change the targets on the pitches to have variable challenges
• Rotate the players between different pitches

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Have bigger or more targets to hit
• Make the pitches larger

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Have fewer targets
• Make the pitches smaller
• Every player in a team has to touch the ball before the team can hit a target

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you show me how to dribble when 1v1?
• Can you recognise opportunities to shoot at the target?
• Can you find space to receive the ball away from an opponent?
• How did players in this game demonstrate responsibility on the pitch?
• What happens when some players are irresponsible?

Safety tips

• Create safe areas between each pitch
• Give players a rest between each mini-match, if needed