Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Rockwood FC: Session 17 Dribbling/Running with the ball (Start Time: 2026-04-14 18:00:00)

Ball Mastery - Warm up (10 mins)

Organization: Technical and Agility Balance Coordination 12-14 Players 10min 

Cones, balls

Procedure:  Set up  2 to 3 stations to balance number and players are not waiting Two players and 1 ball work together 

one player passes using his hands and the other receives and passes using their feet. Once they have gone through using both feet they switch roles. 

Group players to ability 

Progression 1:  Ball rolled on the ground, played back using inside right foot, cross over (Yellow cone) now must use Left Foot.

switch roles

Progression 2: Aerial ball (light throw to knee) ball is passed back using inside of the right foot cross over left foot.

Progression 3: Aerial Ball (Light throw to knee or just below) player passes the ball back using laces (Toe down) cross over now left foot. 

Progression 4: Aerial ball (light throw to thigh) player must look to guide the ball back using their thigh they can also use a combination of thigh foot cross over now use left thigh.

Coaching points: Receiving - eyes on the ball lock the ankle guide the ball  movement after the pass, check you shoulder, low moving backwards, quick feet. 

1 v 1 Dribbling (10 mins)

Activity: Dribbling 1v1 (10 minutes)  3 Games 4 min games 1min rest 

Players: 9 (Mirror activity if numbers are larger)

Equipment: Balls, cones, bibs (4 Red, 4 Blue, 1 Yellow GK), small pug net, big goal

Setup & Procedure

• Divide players into two teams (Red vs. Blue).

• Each player has a ball and is assigned a colored target square (Red to red square, Blue to blue square).

• On the coach’s call:

  • Both players dribble to their square, stop the ball, and then retrieve the opposite team’s ball.

  • Red player cuts inside and attacks the big goal.

  • Blue player dribbles around the small pug net before turning to attack the big goal.

  • Once Blue attacks, the Red player becomes the defender.

• If Red wins possession, they immediately counter and try to score on the small pug net.

• Blue player has 10 seconds after rounding the pug net to score on the big goal.

Constraints/Rules

• First touch into space is encouraged.

• Quick transition: Losing the ball = immediate defending.

• GK (Yellow) guards the big goal.

Coaching Points

• Running with the ball: Big touches into space when unopposed.

• Dribbling to beat an opponent: Change of speed & direction, use of feints.

• Shielding & protecting the ball under pressure.

• Quick transition: Reacting instantly between attack and defense.

• Decision-making: When to take on defender vs. when to shoot.

Game 5 V 5 +2 Neutrals (25 mins)

MAIN GAME (15–20 mins)

4v4 / 5v5 + 2 Neutrals (Wide Players)

Organization:

• Smaller field
• 2 neutrals in wide channels
• Creates overload in possession

Rules:

• Neutrals = 3 touches (or unlimited if needed)
• Defenders stay out of wide channels
• Encourage using wide players

Coaching Focus:

• Find space out wide
• Play forward quickly
• Keep the game flowing

Simple Cues:

• “Can you go forward?”
• “Can you use the outside player?”