Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): When to Dribble or Pass

Dribbling Races (5 mins)

Organization:

- Set up enough grids to accommodate the amount of players you have

- Size and cone spacing varies on age and ability

- Small area will encourage players to take smaller touches and keep their head up.

Instructions:

This is a version of four houses where players have to dribble into the middle box and back in a relay format.Other options are:

• run there and back (forward & backwards)
• dribble the ball there and back (perform a trick at the middle cone/mannequin on your way to/from the box
• lateral sole drags into the box and back
• all players will go at the same time and visit each corner passing through the middle before they can go visit a different corner. The first team to return back to their original corner wins.

Coaching Points:

-push ball with front of foot (laces)

-small quick steps (frequent touches)

-head up on occasion

2v1 Dribble or Pass (20 mins)

Organization: 

15X10 Area

Instruction:

Create two group if possible to limit the amount of lines in the activity. 

- The player in yellow will dribble the ball and them pass it to one of the attacking red players and a 2v1 begins. The players in red are attacking the shaded area in front of them and get a point by dribbling the ball into that area under control. 

- The yellow will attempt to stop the attacks and upon regaining possession will try to dribble the ball into the shaded area between the two red players ready to attack.

The play is finished when a the red team scores, yellow player scores, or the ball leaves the playing area. 

Coaching Points:

1. Decision making/awareness - when to dribble (not always the best option) or when to pass

2. Use the pass as a decoy to create a dribbling opportunity

3. Dribble to draw the defender and then pass