16 Apr 2011

A coaching session designed to improve the Technique of Dribbling

A fun coaching session to improve players ability to initially receive the ball and face they want to dribble, then to improve the technique of dribbling.

Description:

A fun dribbling drill designed to improve the technique of dribbling, including: ball manipulation, dribbling, head up, awareness and receiving the ball to dribble

Purpose:

The purpose of the drill is to encourage players to find space to receive the ball: To control the ball in the direction they want to dribble: To dribble and manipulate the ball using different surfaces of the foot: To dribble with their head up and under control: To dribble round the cones, using changes of pace and direction: At the end of the dribble top pass accurately to a free player

Organisation:

The size of the area will depend on the age, ability and number of players
It is suggested that 12 players are used, with 6 balls
Plenty of soft, safe discs scattered randomly throughout the area
The overall area is 20 x 10 yards, split into 3 areas of 5 x 10, 10 x 10 and 5 x 10 yards

Rules of the session:

The players can only receive the ball in the middle area and they should control the ball and dribble through the cones in this middle area, until they reach the opposite end area
Once in the end area, the players should look to pass the ball to a free player
Practice is repeated

Key Coaching Points:

Encourage the player receiving the ball to be aware of space around them and receive the ball so that they are facing the way they want to dribble
Dribble with the head up
Use other players and discs / cones as opponents to beat
Keep the ball in front and in playing distance
Use the big and little toe and sole of the foot to manipulate and move the ball
Use a quick, controlled change of direction and pace after dribbling round a cone
Encourage dribbling tricks and techniques like step – overs, scissors the drag backs
Encourage a trick, such as a step over, to practice unbalancing a defender, then a controlled change of pace and direction to beat the opponent and exploit the space created by the trick
Head up and good decision such as an accurate pass at the end of the dribble