All weeks

Week 2: turns

Rec practice for Wednesday, September 16. Same training field as last week, same focus: getting players comfortable turning with the ball.

Print view
  1. Group warm-upDirector runs it. Then get your team to your field fast.
  2. Turning in linesFamiliar skill drill. Add a race if it's a repeat.
  3. 1v1 gamesReplay last week's game or try a new one.
  4. 3v3 scrimmageLast 15 minutes of practice.
1

Group warm-up

The rec director runs a quick warm-up for everyone. Your field will already be set up. Afterward, help get players to their correct team quickly.

The three turns you're coaching today

Sole drag

Stop the ball with the bottom of the foot, drag it back, and go the other way.

Inside cut

Turn the ball with just the inside of the foot, in as few touches as possible.

Jump over the ball

Hop right over the ball. It builds the foundation for step-overs later.

Watch for kids running in a loop around the ball. That's the habit to break.

2

Turning in lines

LINE 1LINE 2111222
Both lines dribble out to the cones
  • 2 lines
  • A pair of cones out in front of each line
  • Ball for each player

Line 1

  1. Dribble out to the cones (free dribble or mastery skills).
  2. Turn at the cones.
  3. Dribble all the way back to the line.

Line 2

  1. Dribble out and turn the same way.
  2. Dribble back and pass to the next player in line.

By age

  • Older players: start with the pass back right away.
  • Younger players: get comfortable with the pattern and turns first, then finish with passing.

If you ran this last week, make it a competition. Race the lines and push them to go faster.

Open this drill on its own →

3

1v1 games

Replay last week's game so kids can jump in and you can see if they've improved, or mix it up with one of the others. Pair players of similar skill so everyone is challenged.

PlayersCoach or defenderConePlayer runsPass, throw, or shot
Option A

1v1 with options to score

AD
Attacker picks any gate and goes
  • 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.

Open this drill on its own →

Option B

1v1 multiple options: turns

  • 2+ players
  • 1 ball
  • At least 2 goals
C12
Coach throws the ball out past the goals

Race for the ball

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.

4

3v3 scrimmage

Same field, now 3 on 3
  • 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.

Open this drill on its own →