Warm-ups ยท U6 to U12

Rob the nest

Teams race to dribble balls from the centre back to their nest, then steal from other nests. Chaotic, fun and full of dribbling, scanning and decision-making.

U6 to U12Ages
8 to 20 (4 teams)Players
25 x 25 mArea
10 minsTime

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

Set-up

  • A pile of balls in the middle; a small 'nest' square in each corner.
  • Four teams, one at each nest.

Equipment: Lots of balls, cones for 4 nests and a centre

How it works

  1. One player per team at a time runs out, dribbles a ball back to their nest, then tags the next teammate.
  2. When the middle is empty, steal from other nests.
  3. After 90 seconds, the nest with most balls wins.

Coaching points

  • Dribble, don't kick, the ball back.
  • Look around: which nest is easiest to rob?
  • Quick tags, fast changeovers.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Two players out at once
  • More balls

Make it harder

  • Must dribble round a cone before entering the nest
  • Weak foot only

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

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