Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Week 1 - Dribbling

Dribbling

Week 1 - Everybody needs a ball, explain how the aim of the session is to get as many touches of the ball as they possibly can. The session will consist of many small challenges but all about improving dribbling skills.

Start off by dribbling around the area - Coaching points include - Small touches, find space, get your head up, awareness of surroundings (Expect different talent levels)

Challenge 1 - Different parts of the foot to dribble with - Inside, outside, sole, laces, heel, toe - Get the players to guess all 6 then challenge them to dribble around the area using as many parts of the foot as possible. 

Challenge 2 - Ask how many players only used their strongest foot while doing the last challenge, then encourage the use of their weaker foot so they have 12 parts of both feet to work with.

Challenge 3 - Combinations - The coach will come up with a combination to dribble & also demonstrate e.g inside - outside - toe - laces - Players dribble away & copy the coach & are challenged to shout the part of the foot they are using at the top of their voice while dribbling. Ask players to come up with their own combinations to share to the group & give them 45 seconds each practicing these.

Challenge 4 - How many touches? Bring all players into middle & explain that now they have been practicing different parts of the foot they are going to be challenged to see how many touches using both feet they can get without bumping into another player in 60 seconds. Again have them shout out the number of touches they are on (Explain that its good to practice being loud on the pitch & it will help them be more confident when it comes to games) 

After 60 seconds get them to dribble to a player they have never met before, ask them their name & what score they got (Encouraging making new friends & to help confidence) 

Challenge 5 - Whatever score they got, they now have to beat it but have 10 seconds less - Coaching points - Need to be faster, quicker reactions to space opening up, light on your feet so you can change direction quicker.

Again after the time period go to find another player & ask their name & tell them their score

Challenge 6 - The coach is to pick 3 different coloured cones & hold above their head at any given time making sure to rotate between the 3 

1st cone = Dribble with right foot

2nd cone = Dribble with left foot

3rd cone = Dribble with sole of the foot

Coach can shout 'Switch' at any point, the players have to stop the ball dead & go & find a new ball to start dribbling with. 

At the end of these challenges you will be ready to go into matches. Ask the players how many times they think they touched the ball & if they think its a good way to improve football skills. Encourage lots of dribbles/touches when going into the games.