Dribbling ยท U6 to U12

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 U12Ages
4 to 20Players
20 x 20 mArea
8 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

Set-up

  • Players dribble in an area; coach on the edge.
  • Ball each.

Equipment: Cones, 1 ball each

How it works

  1. Dribble around avoiding others.
  2. Coach holds up fingers; shout the number as soon as you see it.
  3. Progress: odd number = turn, even = speed up.

Coaching points

  • Glance up, glance down: little and often.
  • Ball close so you can look away from it.
  • Use the outside of the foot to keep moving.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Slower pace

Make it harder

  • Coach uses coloured cones and sums

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

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