Futsal Session (Junior): Dribbling

Basic

Set Up:

Dimensions: Half court.

Equipment: 6 x cones, 1 x ball per player.

Players: All players involved.

---

Drill Coaching points:

1. Close ball control; and

2. Using the correct method of dribbling (forwards, backwards, lateral).

---

Drill:

Step 1: Player dribbles forwards from cone 1 to 2;

Step 2: Player dribbles laterally (sideways) from cone 2 to 3 (using their left foot, which is the furthest foot from the direction they are travelling);

Step 3: Player dribbles forwards from cone 3 to 4, increasing their pace;

Step 4: Player dribbles laterally (sideways) from cone 4 to 5 (using their right foot, which is the furthest foot from the direction they are travelling);

Step 5: Player dribbles backwards from cone 5 to 6, using the soles of their feet;

Step 6: Once the player reaches cone 6, they turn and join the back of the line to repeat the process.

NOTE: When the first player reaches cone 3, the next player in the line commences their movement through the cones.

---

Progression: On the coaches call, players must stop the ball, make feint in one direction (other than the way they were dribbling) and then continue dribbling the ball. This should focus the players on keeping the ball under close control at all times to ensure they can react quickly to the coaches call.

---

Difficulty Progression: Players move through the cones as before, but they must always have their body position always facing the coach. The coach changes their position around the court gradually. The players must now look up to identify where the coach is and use the appropriate type of dribble (forwards, backwards or lateral) to move between the cones while keeping their body position facing the coach.

Advanced

Set Up:

Dimensions: Full court

Equipment: 2 cones, at least one ball

Players: 3 attackers, 3 defenders and a GK

---

Drill Coaching Points:

1. Close ball control;

2. Dribble with an open body shape;

3. Protecting the ball (dribble control should be with the furthest foot from the defender);

4. Dominate the space of the defender; and

5. Identify space and single lines of defence to exploit.

---

Drill:

Step 1: The 1st defender starts with the ball. They play a pass to the Anchor and apply pressure. The Anchor must dribble the ball away from the approaching defender to create time for the flank to drop off and support the ball;

Step 2: The right flank drops off to support the ball and receives a pass from the Anchor;

Step 3: The right flank dribbles down the line and the 2nd defender apply's pressure, creating a 1v1 situation;

Step 4: The Pivot makes a run to support the flank, either centrally or to the sideline, and they are tracked by the 3rd defender;

Step 5: The right flank must identify where the space is (central, or down the line) and attack it.

---

Rotation: Once the play has ended:

- the 1st defender becomes the 2nd defender;

- the 2nd defender becomes the 3rd defender;

- the 3rd defender becomes the 1st defender;

- the right flank collects the ball and joins the end of the attacking line on the other side of the court;

- the 1st person in the attacking line becomes the new Anchor and gives their ball to the 1st defender;

- The Anchor becomes the new Pivot;

- The Pivot becomes the new Right Flank;

- Once three actions have been completed, change the three defenders with attackers.

---

Progression: Change the right flank to a left flank.