Dribbling drills
One ball each, lots of touches, then add pressure. Dribbling practice should be noisy and fun.
Dribbling drills for young players should give every child a ball, lots of touches and lots of changes of direction, then add defenders so they learn when to dribble and when to pass.
Sharks and minnows
Minnows dribble from one end to the other while sharks try to kick their balls out. Tackled minnows become sharks.
U5 to U10 · Whole squad players · 10 mins
See the drill →Dribble the gates (with defenders)
Attackers score by dribbling through gates while a few defenders try to win the ball. Teaches when to dribble, when to turn and how to protect the ball.
U8 to U12 · 8 to 16 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Robin Hood's treasure
Teams dribble balls out of the centre treasure chest back to their corner, then raid other teams' corners. A fun game that gets young players dribbling with their heads up.
U5 to U9 · 6 to 16 players · 10 to 12 mins
See the drill →Ball mastery circuit
One ball each: a sequence of short 30-second moves (sole rolls, inside-outside, drag-backs, step-overs). The quickest way to build comfort on the ball and a great start to any session.
U6 to U14 · Any number players · 10 mins
See the drill →Turns square (inside, outside, drag-back, Cruyff)
Players dribble to the edge of a square and turn back in using the turn the coach calls. Builds a toolbox of turns and the confidence to change direction under control.
U7 to U14 · 4 to 20 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Dribble relay race
Teams race to dribble round a cone and back, handing over to the next player. Easy to run, very competitive and gets young players dribbling at speed.
U6 to U11 · 6 to 20 (teams of 3 to 4) players · 10 mins
See the drill →Slalom dribbling
Players weave through a line of cones using both feet. A simple, repeatable way to build close control, and easy to make competitive.
U6 to U13 · 4 to 20 players · 10 mins
See the drill →King of the ring
Everyone dribbles inside the ring, protecting their own ball while trying to knock other balls out. The last player with a ball is king. Shielding, close control and awareness in one game.
U7 to U12 · 6 to 20 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Skill moves at a cone defender
Dribble at a cone 'defender', perform a skill move and explode past it. Rehearses the step-over, scissors and body feint before using them in 1v1s.
U8 to U14 · 4 to 16 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Stop on the line
Players dribble from one line to the other and stop the ball dead on the line with their sole. A gentle first game for ball control and stopping, with plenty of success.
U5 to U9 · 4 to 20 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Shield the ball (1v1 shielding)
One player keeps the ball in a small box while a partner tries to win it. Teaches using the body, arms and turns to protect the ball, the skill smaller players need most.
U8 to adult · Pairs (whole squad) players · 10 mins
See the drill →Follow the leader dribbling
One player leads with turns, stops and changes of pace; their partner copies with their own ball. Fun, self-running and full of changes of direction.
U6 to U11 · Pairs (whole squad) players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Speed zones (slow, fast, slow)
Players dribble through three zones: close control in the first, big touches at speed in the middle, then close control again. Teaches the change of pace that beats defenders.
U8 to U14 · 4 to 20 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Musical cones
Players dribble freely and race to stop their ball on a cone when the coach shouts. One fewer cone than players keeps it exciting. Great for close control and listening.
U5 to U9 · 6 to 20 players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Cross the river
Two groups dribble across the area at the same time to the opposite bank without colliding. Head-up dribbling through traffic for young players.
U6 to U11 · 8 to 20 players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Cone collector (touch the cones)
Players dribble around and stop the ball against as many cones as they can in 30 seconds. Close control, changes of direction and counting fun.
U6 to U12 · 4 to 20 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Mirror dribbling across a line
Partners face each other across a line, each with a ball. One leads with moves and turns; the other mirrors. Quick feet and reaction on the ball.
U7 to U14 · Pairs players · 8 mins
See the drill →Croqueta and sole-roll gates
Players dribble to small gates and use a croqueta (inside-to-inside shift) or a sole roll to move sideways through them. Teaches the quick lateral moves that beat a lunging defender.
U8 to adult · 4 to 20 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Head-up dribbling (count the fingers)
Players dribble freely while the coach holds up fingers; they shout the number. Forces players to look up while keeping the ball close.
U6 to U12 · 4 to 20 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Through the gauntlet
Attackers dribble through a series of zones, each with a defender who can only defend their zone. Beat them all to score. Brave dribbling with lots of 1v1s.
U7 to U13 · 8 to 20 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Running with the ball race
Players race 30 metres pushing the ball out in front at speed. Running with the ball is different from dribbling: fewer, bigger touches into space.
U8 to adult · 4 to 20 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Star dribbling (out and back)
From a centre cone, players dribble out to each outer cone, turn and come back, using a different turn each time. Builds turning technique and fitness.
U7 to U14 · 4 to 16 players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Weak-foot dribbling lanes
Players dribble down lanes using only their weaker foot, with each lane a different challenge. Two-footed players are much harder to defend.
U7 to adult · 4 to 20 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Escape the chaser
The attacker gets a two-metre head start with the ball and must dribble through a gate before the chasing defender catches them. Dribbling at speed under pressure.
U8 to adult · Pairs players · 10 mins
See the drill →Obstacle course dribble
A fun course: slalom, stop in a hoop, under a pole while the ball goes through a gate, then a shot at a mini goal. Keeps the youngest players busy and smiling.
U5 to U9 · 4 to 20 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Ball mastery 10-move challenge
Ten ball-mastery moves done for 30 seconds each, with a count to beat. A home practice challenge players can do in the garden every day.
U6 to U14 · Any players · 10 mins (or at home)
See the drill →Traffic jam (shrinking area)
Players dribble without touching anyone while the coach moves the cones in every 30 seconds. As the space shrinks, control and awareness have to sharpen.
U6 to U12 · 6 to 20 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Statues dribble
Players dribble around until the coach shouts 'statues!', then freeze with a foot on the ball in a funny pose. A first dribbling game for tiny players.
U4 to U8 · 4 to 20 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Figure-of-eight dribbling
Players dribble in a figure of eight around two cones, using the inside and outside of each foot. A classic close-control pattern, great for warm-ups and homework.
U7 to U14 · 2 to 12 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Cannonballs (dodge the coach's passes)
Players dribble around while the coach rolls 'cannonballs' across the area to hit their ball. Close control, head-up awareness and quick reactions.
U6 to U11 · 6 to 20 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Building a session?
Tell the free session planner your age group, numbers and what to work on, and it builds a full session from drills like these.
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