Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Dribbling the Slalom Runs

Warm Up - Dribbling Obstacles (15 mins)

Setup

Using cones, mark out two 12 x 15 yard fields

Inside the field, add 7 or 8 Super Dome (white) cones as dribbling obstacles

Form two teams, one in each dribbling zone (each player has a ball)

In each field, five to seven kids dribble around the cones as many times as possible

Sequence

First the coach demonstrates the game and each dribbling move: inside & outside of the foot turns

Progress to moves: Lung Step, Step-Over and Matthews Trick

On "stop," the kids stop with their sole of the foot on the ball; coach gives next move & demonstrates

At the coach's signal, players can "Switch" fields by dribbling thru the gates between each field

Variations

Lung Step and Double Lung Step

Step Over and Double Step Over

Matthews Trick: pull the ball inward with the inside of the right foot, then quickly shift the ball to the outside of the same foot and take the ball to the outside

As with every fake, be sure to incorporate a sudden sprint. Only then will you surprise your opponent.

Final Match (20 mins)

Setup

Mark out a 25 x 40 yard game field

Teams play 4 v 4

Sequence

Players score one point for each goal scored during the game

Which team can score the most goals in four minutes?

Variation: when the attacking team scores, they keep the ball and attack in the opposite direction

Variations

Rotate small groups of 3 or 4 players into an agility & finishing exercise while the games are played.

See "exercise A" - dribble two agility poles quickly (faints & turns) and finish on a small sided goal.