Week 1: running with the ball

• All players
• Ball for each player

1. Review a ball mastery skill together (start with simple toe taps).
2. Players dribble in open space, avoiding each other.
3. Every 15+ seconds, have the players stop the ball and perform the skill again.
4. Rotate the mastery skill: taps, then boxers, then dribbling in a circle with the inside of the foot.

As play progresses

Introduce drag turns (simple pull backs) and jump over turns, where players stop the ball, jump over it, turn around, and start dribbling again.

• 6 players
• 6 balls
• 8 goals

Grid 1

Each player starts in a gate. Perform ball mastery skills between the gate. Start with taps, then review and teach the drag turn (pull back).

Grid 2: transitions

1. Coaches stand in the middle and tell players to dribble and score.
2. Coaches move to different gates, so players must turn away and find a different gate.
3. After 30+ seconds, have them find a gate and stop, using the bottom of the foot to control the ball between the cones.
4. With players back in a gate, move to boxers and jump over turns, then transition again.

Skill 3

See if players can use the inside of their foot to dribble around their two cones in a figure 8. If they don't make the figure 8 but still dribble around the cones, that's okay.

• Ball for each player

Part 1

Dribble from one side to the other. Go as fast as they can, focusing on going straight and keeping the ball in front of them. For U6, get them dribbling under control with laces. Do this a few times, back and forth.

Part 2

Put down some cones and have the kids avoid them, trying to keep the ball off the cones. This forces more control instead of just going in a straight line.

• Two teams
• Ball for each player
• A goal and a cone per side

The diagram shows two sides. You may only do half the drill, based on your numbers.

1. Two teams line up next to a goal, every player with a ball.
2. The first player dribbles past the cone (a line works too, based on your equipment).
3. Turn the ball, trying to use a skill from the warm-up.
4. Shoot at the goal.
5. The second player starts as soon as player 1 shoots.

Repeat until all the way through the line. Team to go through the line first wins.

• 2+ players
• Gates set up on the edges for you
• One game or several at once

1. Pair players up.
2. Attacker can score by dribbling through any gate.
3. When the defender blocks a gate, turn and go for another one.

Easier start

No defender. Each player scores through as many gates as they can.

If 1v1 is too complicated for some players, run a fun free-dribble game with lots of chances to turn instead.

Coach holds all the balls, with 2 goals facing the coach. One line of players stands by each goal.

1. Coach throws a ball out past the goals.
2. First player in each line runs to it.
3. Play 1v1.
4. To score, dribble back around to the front of the goals and turn.

Variation: send 2 or 3 players from each line and focus on passing instead of dribbling.

Ball in the middle with the attacker on it. A goal at each end. The defender stands between two small cones about 3 yards away.

1. Attacker stands square to the defender, not facing a goal.
2. First touch uses the inside or outside of the foot to turn the ball.
3. That touch releases the defender to chase.
4. Both players can score in either goal.

Don't let the attacker face a goal on their first touch. The turn is the point.

Two goals at one end and a line out on the field.

1. Player 1 dribbles away from the goals, past the line.
2. Player 1 turns back with no pressure.
3. Once they turn, player 2 comes in to defend.
4. Play 1v1. Both players can score in either goal.

As they get better: player 2 starts right next to the goal, and both players go at the same time.

• Last 15 minutes
• Use the 1v1 field

When there's about 15 minutes left, turn the 1v1 field into a 3v3 game.

Call out good turns during the game so players connect the day's skill to real play.