Dribble with the head up
Ready when: Close control and juggling (b1) started.
What you are learning
Dribbling with the head up, so you see the space, the gates and other players while the ball stays within a step of your feet. Players who look up find gaps; players who stare at the ball run into trouble.
Words on this card Dribble, Gate, Grid, Tackle
- Dribble
- Running with the ball kept close with small touches.
- Gate
- Two cones about a stride apart to dribble or pass through.
- Grid
- A square marked with cones for practice.
- Tackle
- Taking the ball from an opponent's feet with your foot.
Set up
A ball each, many two-cone gates in a 20 by 20 yard area.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Dribble slowly through one gate, looking up after every second touch.
- Look round for the next gate before you reach the first.
- Keep the ball close enough to touch it within one step.
Your part while they practise
Count the gates; then be the robber.
Step by step
- Dribble through as many gates as possible in a minute.
- Look up between touches.
- Find the next gate before the last one is passed.
How much: 5 rounds of 1 minute 8 min a session 3 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Loose-ball robbers
Robbers may not tackle; they may only take a ball that has run more than a step away from its dribbler, then give it back.
Who plays: 2 or more dribblers against 1 robber (you at first).
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Every dribbler has a ball in the grid; the robber has none
- Dribblers go through gates and count them aloud
- The robber may take any ball that runs more than a step away, then gives it back
- 1 minute, then a new robber. 4 rounds
- Fair play
- A grown-up robber walks only.
- Points
- 1 point for each gate; the robber scores 1 point for each loose ball taken.
- Fouls
- Lose 2 points
- The robber tackles a ball that is still close
- A dribbler pushes the robber
- A dribbler goes through the same gate twice in a row
- Winning
- The most points after 4 rounds.
- 5 points for 1 star
- 8 points for 2 stars
- 12 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Wide gates.
Narrow gates or a defender.
What you will see, and what to say
- the ball runs ahead
Keep it within a step
Smaller touches. - the child stops at each gate
Look for the next gate
Look up as you go through.
Self-check
10 gates in a minute with the head up.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains dribbling, awareness.
awiseathlete.com/sports/football/football-b2