---
title: "Week 2: Dribbling / Running with the Ball · U5~U10"
description: "Training objectives: Improve observation while dribbling / When to use close control vs. running with the ball / Dribble with more confidence."
canonical: https://hobbit.football/academy/sow-week-02-dribbling-running-with-ball
language: en
published: 2020-06-05T00:00:00+00:00
publisher: Hobbit (https://hobbit.football)
---

# Week 2: Dribbling / Running with the Ball · U5~U10

> Training objectives: Improve observation while dribbling / When to use close control vs. running with the ball / Dribble with more confidence.

# SoW Week 2: Dribbling / Running with the Ball

**Age/Level:** U5-U10 average level
**Players:** 8-16
**Training Objectives:** Improve observation while dribbling / When to use close control vs. running with the ball / Dribble with more confidence

---

## Warm-up

![Week 2 - Running with Ball - Warm-up](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/2/Week2_Dribble%20with%20speed(Warm-up).png)

**Setup:**
- 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), set up five 2m-wide square zones as shown
- All players run freely between the zones
- Try different running styles or movements between the zones
- Timed race: who can visit the most zones
- Add a tag game at the end (square zones are safe areas)

**Coaching Points:**
- Head up and scanning while running
- Dodging between zones
- Decision-making on where to go next
- Different speed changes with/without defenders or open space

**Progressions:**
- Going to a zone with no one scores the most points
- Give different commands to change speed, e.g. 1=walk / 2=jog / 3=sprint
- U6: add more coordination exercises, e.g. hopping or frog jumps / for the tag game, use "Spider-Man" (hit the player's body with a soft ball to tag)
- U8: encourage more creative movements; for the tag game, use body touch or grab a soft ball to touch the player's body to tag
- U10: add more body stretching movements, e.g. touch the ground or hold a balance pose in the zone; for the tag game, touch specific body parts (e.g. back, chest, knees)

## Technique

![Week 2 - Running with Ball - Technique](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/2/Week2_Dribble%20with%20speed(Technique).png)

**Setup:**
- 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), set up five 2m-wide square zones as shown
- All players dribble freely between the zones
- Try dribbling with different parts of the foot or at different speeds between zones
- Finish with a timed race: who can visit the most zones

**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 between zones
- Decision-making on where to go next
- Different touch styles and speeds with/without defenders or open space

**Progressions:**
- Going to a zone with no one scores the most points
- Give different commands to change speed, e.g. 1=walk / 2=jog / 3=sprint
- 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 complete designated movements at each zone

## Skill

![Week 2 - Running with Ball - Skill](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/2/Week2_Dribble%20with%20speed(Skill).png)

**Setup:**
- 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), set up five 2m-wide square zones as shown
- Players are divided into groups; one group acts as defenders each round
- Defending players use soft balls to hit the footballs; other players dribble freely between zones
- Dribbling into a square zone is a safe area, defenders cannot attack
- If a dribbler's football is hit by a soft ball, their score resets to zero
- Finish with a timed race: who can visit the most zones

**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
- Running with the ball quickly when space opens up

**Progressions:**
- Maximum 3 seconds in the safe zone
- Maximum 2 people in the safe zone
- U6: add a story for the defenders, e.g. zookeeper/hunter/Spider-Man
- U8: each defender must switch to defending a different player after their target scores
- U10: try free defending

## Conditioned Game

![Week 2 - Running with Ball - Conditioned Game](https://mirfgyotxooazatbsuvo.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/academy/articles/SoW/2/Week2_Dribble%20with%20speed(Conditioned%20Game).png)

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

**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
- Running with the ball quickly when space opens up
- Positioning relative to teammates
- Choosing between dribbling and passing

**Progressions:**
- U6: set up more pitches with fewer players per pitch, or use two footballs at the same time
- U8: round-robin tournament
- U10: change the pitch to a rectangle

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