Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Dribbling Level 1

Gate Progressions (20 mins)

Again each player has their own ball. Players begin dribbling and counting how many gates they can go through in a given time (2 mins).

-In this phase emphasise maximum number of touches, players will try to go too fast and lose control by taking fewer, larger touches. Demonstrate the effectiveness of many small, controlled touches with all the surfaces of the foot.

Next the coach will enter as a passive defender. Block gates but do not try to take the ball from players. Inform them that you won't dispossess them so they don't sacrifice their form due to pressure. Again reinforce the importance of small touches and keeping the ball close to maintain control and, as a consequence, possession.

To progress with a more advanced group, begin at the passive pressure phase and move on to a high pressure phase. Two defenders stand at opposite corners without a ball, one at A and one at B. Interior players each have a ball and have 30 seconds with no defenders to dribble through as many gates as they can. After 30 secs the defenders are released and must try to knock other players' balls out of the area.

Emphasise slightly larger touches with the laces while there is no defensive pressure, switching to smaller, more controlled touches with the inside of the foot.

Conditioned Game (15 mins)

No goalkeepers. No forward passing in your opponent's half. In the defensive half players may pass in any direction they wish. In the attacking half, possession may be retained by passing laterally or backwards but to make any forward progress players must practice the dribbling techniques covered in the previous drills.