SoW Week 3: Dribbling with Both Feet / Route Selection

Age/Level: U5-U10 average level Players: 8-16 Training Objectives: Improve dribbling variation with both feet / Better dribbling route selection / Better social skills

Warm-up

Setup:

• 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), place nine cones as shown
• All players run between the cones
• Timed race: who can pass (touch) the most sets of three cones
• Using each cone as a point, players choose running routes to complete the coach's commands
• Commands can be "triangle" / "number 2" / "letter V" etc.
• See which players complete the command with the best observation and fastest speed

Coaching Points:

• Head up and scanning while running
• Changes of direction and dodging between cones
• Decision-making on where to go next
• Finding better observation positions
• Planning and anticipating the running route

Progressions:

• Must change direction at each cone, no running straight to two consecutive cones
• Going to a cone with no one scores the most points
• Give different commands to change speed, e.g. 1=walk / 2=jog / 3=sprint
• U6: score by passing the most cones / commands focus on "shapes" and "numbers"
• U8: assign each player a different starting position / commands include more "letters"
• U10: let players choose their own starting position / commands include complex "shapes" and "letters", e.g. "trapezoid" or "W/G"

Technique

Setup:

• 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), place nine cones as shown
• All players dribble between the cones
• Timed race: who can pass (touch) the most sets of three cones
• Using each cone as a point, players choose dribbling routes to complete the coach's commands
• Commands can be "triangle" / "number 2" / "letter V" etc.
• See which players complete the command with the best observation and optimal route

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 between cones
• Finding better observation positions
• Different effects of using both feet in different directions
• Decision-making on where to go next
• Planning and anticipating the dribbling route

Progressions:

• Must change direction at each cone, no running straight to two consecutive cones
• Going to a cone with no one scores the most points
• U6: score by dribbling to a cone / commands focus on "shapes" and "numbers"
• U8: must dribble past the cone to score / commands include more "letters"
• U10: let players choose their own starting position / commands include complex "shapes" and "letters", e.g. "trapezoid" or "W/G"

Skill

Setup:

• 20×20m pitch (adjust based on player numbers), place nine cones as shown
• Divide players into groups of three, one ball each
• Each group chooses a different starting point and completes the coach's command as a team
• The team task is only complete when the last person finishes the command
• Commands can be "triangle" / "number 2" / "letter V" etc.
• See which group completes the command with the best observation and optimal route

Coaching Points:

• Changes of direction and dodging between cones
• Different effects of using both feet in different directions
• Decision-making on where to go next
• Team communication and agreeing on a route
• Different tasks for different team members

Progressions:

• U6: no more than three players per group / assign each group a starting point / commands focus on "shapes" and "numbers"
• U8: at least three players per group / allow more communication time before each round
• U10: let each group choose their own starting position / give combination commands, e.g. "5-diamond-M"

Conditioned Game

Setup:

• Four 10×10m pitches (adjust based on player numbers), each with a 2v2 game
• Dribble the ball into one of the opponent's goals to score
• Must be able to shoot to score
• After each goal, the conceding team retreats to their own end zone

Coaching Points:

• Using both feet with different touches
• Choosing the dribbling route after entering the attacking zone
• Shooting quickly when space opens up in the goal area
• Using the observation advantage of both-footed players

Progressions:

• U6: do not use goals, or use two footballs at the same time
• U8: round-robin tournament
• U10: change the pitch to a rectangle