Gafferbook
Dribbling ยท U7 to U14

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 U14Ages
PairsPlayers
10 x 5 m per pairArea
8 minsTime

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

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Pairs face each other across a cone line, each with a ball.
  • Leader and mirror.

Equipment: Cones, 1 ball each

How it works

  1. Leader dribbles left and right with moves (drag-backs, step-overs).
  2. Mirror copies on their side of the line.
  3. On the whistle, leader sprints to a side gate; mirror tries to get there first.

Coaching points

  • Keep the ball close while watching your partner.
  • Low centre of gravity.
  • Quick, short touches.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • No race at the end

Make it harder

  • Leader can fake the race

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

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

More dribbling drills

Sharks and minnows

Minnows dribble from one end to the other while sharks try to kick their balls out. Tackled minnows become sharks.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’