Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Free Dribble (Start Time: 2022-09-16 11:05:00)

Description

Free Dribble - 10 mins (stop every 2-3 mins for understanding, encouragement and to increase difficulty, or change things)

This warm-up allows players to gain familiarity with the ball. It will help players become more confident and understand both how to manipulate the ball within traffic and develop spatial awareness.

The coach can gain an understanding of individual players' skill levels and allow more skilled players to navigate the area and others, but also help coach the beginners or those less confident on the ball.

This exercise can be used to get valuable touches on the ball, and give feedback and encouragement to build confidence.

Increase difficulty

As the players become more confident, you can add commands after 2-3 minutes.

• 'FREEZE' - come to a complete stop by controlling with their foot on the ball.
• 'TOE TAPS' - lightly alternate feet on the top of the ball. They should touch their foot lightly on the ball so the ball doesn't move
• 'CHANGE' - change direction with the ball. Encourage the players to use all parts of their feet - inside, outside, sole, heel, top
• If this isn't their first soccer experience or they're a little older, you can teach them the inside chop, outside chop, and pull-back.

Add points - all start with 3 and they lose 1 if they go outside the zone or bump into a teammate. They have to be honest about their points - explain they won't get better if they cheat. They also have to be mindful of their points, which helps their cognition.

Coaching Points

• Small touches (tiny kicks) - keep the ball close to your feet for optimum control and ball manipulation (and so the opposition in a game cannot get the ball)
• Keep your head up - so you can see obstacles and where they are going
• Dribble into space - awareness to find the space - ask them to keep an imaginary circle around them that no one can get in and the ball cannot travel out of

Context of the game

Drills and exercises like this are good for building skill but the context of the game of soccer is needed. Explain why the coaching points are relevant to a game of soccer.

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