---
title: "Week 1: Dribbling / Close Control · U5~U10"
description: "Training objectives: Improve observation while dribbling / Improve close control ability / Dribble with more confidence."
canonical: https://hobbit.football/academy/sow-week-01-dribbling-close-control
language: en
published: 2020-06-06T00:00:00+00:00
publisher: Hobbit (https://hobbit.football)
---

# Week 1: Dribbling / Close Control · U5~U10

> Training objectives: Improve observation while dribbling / Improve close control ability / Dribble with more confidence.

# SoW Week 1: Dribbling / Close Control

**Age/Level:** U5-U10 average level
**Players:** 8-16
**Training Objectives:** Improve observation while dribbling / Improve close control ability / Dribble with more confidence

---

## Warm-up

![Week 1 - Dribbling - Warm-up](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/1/Week1_Dribble%20(Warm-up).png)

**Setup:**
- 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), place one cone 2m apart in the middle of each side
- All players run freely between the four sides
- Try different running styles or movements between the sides
- Finish with a timed race: who can reach the most sides

**Coaching Points:**
- Head up and scanning while running
- Dodging in the central area
- Decision-making on where to go next

**Progressions:**
- Going to a side with no one scores the most points
- Set different colors on each side, run to the called color or do the opposite
- U6: add more coordination exercises, e.g. hopping or frog jumps
- U8: use the four side colors to create themes, e.g. countries/cities/buildings/nature
- U10: add more body stretching movements, e.g. touch the ground or hold a balance pose at the sideline

## Technique

![Week 1 - Dribbling - Technique](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/1/Week1_Dribble%20(Technique).png)

**Setup:**
- 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), place one cone 2m apart in the middle of each side
- All players dribble freely between the four sides
- Try dribbling with different parts of the foot or at different speeds between the sides
- Finish with a timed race: who can reach the most sides

**Coaching Points:**
- Combining head-up scanning with looking down at the ball while running
- Distance between the ball and your body
- Stability of the upper body while dribbling
- Changes of direction and dodging while dribbling in the central area
- Decision-making on where to go next
- Different touch styles and speeds when space opens up

**Progressions:**
- Going to a side with no one scores the most points
- Set different colors on each side, run to the called color or do the opposite
- U6: follow coach instructions to dribble with specific parts of the foot
- U8: mimic different animals while dribbling with different foot parts, e.g. penguin/crab/snake/elephant
- U10: increase the speed of execution and add turning movements at the sidelines

## Skill

![Week 1 - Dribbling - Skill](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/1/Week1_Dribble%20(Skill).png)

**Setup:**
- 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), place one cone 2m apart in the middle of each side
- Two to four defending players use soft balls to hit the footballs; other players dribble freely between the four sides
- Reaching the sideline is a safe zone, defenders cannot attack
- If a dribbler's football is hit by a soft ball, they swap roles with the defender
- Finish with a timed race: who can reach the most sides

**Coaching Points:**
- Combining head-up scanning with looking down at the ball while running
- Distance between the ball and your body
- Maintaining a safe distance from defenders
- Close control and shielding when near defenders
- Choosing a safe dribbling route

**Progressions:**
- Maximum 3 seconds in the safe zone
- Maximum 1 person in the safe zone
- U6: add a story for the defenders, e.g. zookeeper/hunter/Spider-Man
- U8: reduce the number of defenders, or once hit, you become a defender until one player is left
- U10: try free defending

## Conditioned Game

![Week 1 - Dribbling - Conditioned Game](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/1/Week1_Dribble%20(Conditioned%20Game).png)

**Setup:**
- Two 20×20m pitches (adjust based on player numbers), each with a 4v4 game
- Dribble the ball across the opponent's end line to score
- No corners; throw-ins are kicked, you may dribble or pass

**Coaching Points:**
- Combining head-up scanning with looking down at the ball while running
- Distance between the ball and your body
- Maintaining a safe distance from defenders
- Close control and shielding when near defenders
- Positioning relative to teammates
- Choosing between dribbling and passing

**Progressions:**
- U6: scoring on all four sides, or use two footballs at the same time
- U8: round-robin tournament
- U10: change the pitch to a rectangle

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