Drills / Team practice
Dribble and steal
Everyone dribbles in a square. Two stealers try to win a ball. A busy start where everyone is on the ball from the first minute.
- Players
- 6 to 16
- Space
- 20 × 20 m
- Kit
- 1 ball each (less 2), 4 cones, 2 bibs
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Age
- All ages
Set up
- Mark a 20 m square. Go bigger for older or larger groups.
- Everyone has a ball except two stealers in bibs.
How it works
- Players dribble anywhere inside the square.
- The stealers try to win a ball. If they win one, they keep it and the player who lost it becomes a stealer.
- Play for 90 seconds, then rest. Change the stealers each round.
What to work on
- Keep the ball close, little touches.
- Look up between touches to find space.
- Put your body between the ball and the stealer.
- Change speed and direction to get away.
Easier
One stealer. Or stealers have to walk.
Harder
Three or four stealers. Or a smaller square.
Skills this works on: the step-over, the double touch. Each one has a close-up drawing of the feet.
Planning a whole session? The session planner builds one around this kind of practice.
Try next
Drills that work the same skills.
dribbling · 15 min · Pairs, any number
1v1 to the gates
An attacker scores by dribbling through either of two gates. If the defender wins it, they attack the other two.
dribbling · 8 min · Any number, one ball each
Traffic lights
Everyone dribbles in a box. The coach calls colours: green to go, amber to slow down with the sole, red to stop the ball dead. An easy, active start for the youngest.
game · 20 min · Everyone
The game
Finish every session with a real game, in the format your players play on match days.
attacking · 15 min · Groups of 3
2v1: pass or go?
Two attackers against one defender. The player on the ball decides: dribble past, or pass to a teammate who is free.