Dribbling Drill with Defenders in a Wave Form With Middle Zone (U7 and Up)
Dribbling Drill with Defenders in a Wave Form With Middle Zone (U7 and Up)
DRIBBLING
10/23/20241 min read
Drill: Dribbling Drill with Defenders in a Wave Form (U7 and Up)
Organization:
Set up a 30x20 meter area with a 10-meter middle zone marked out in the center.
Players with the ball start from one end of the field and dribble toward the opposite end. In the middle zone, place two defenders who try to win the ball from the dribblers as they pass through. If a defender successfully wins the ball, they must dribble or pass the ball out of the playing area.
The defender then switches roles with the dribbler they won the ball from.
Dribblers who successfully make it through the middle zone without losing the ball wait at the opposite end for their next run. The drill operates in a wave format, with new attackers starting as soon as the previous wave reaches the other end.
This drill is ideal for U7 and up, focusing on dribbling under pressure and improving ball control.
Progressions:
More Defenders or Dribblers: Add defenders or dribblers to make it easy or hard for them.
Add Time Pressure: Give the dribblers a time limit to get through the middle zone, increasing the intensity.
Introduce Feints: Encourage players to use specific feints or dribbling moves to get past the defenders.
Key Coaching Points:
Dribbling Technique: Focus on close ball control, using different parts of the foot (inside, outside) to maneuver past defenders.
Awareness and Decision-Making: Players must keep their heads up to be aware of the defenders' positions and make quick decisions on when to accelerate or change direction.
Coaching Questions:
To the players:
"How can you control the ball to keep it away from the defender?"
"What is the best moment to accelerate and get past the defender?"
"How quickly can you react if you lose the ball and become a defender?"
To the coach:
"Are players maintaining close control while dribbling under pressure?"
"Are defenders applying enough pressure to challenge the dribblers?"
"Are players transitioning quickly from attack to defense?"
