Indoor Training: Learning to Dribble

Pitch: Set up two parallel lanes. Per lane one cone marks the starting position. In front of it 2 tall cones at a distance of about 2 to 3 metres form a dribbling gate, at the end of the lane a second dribbling gate of 2 tall cones stands at the same distance.

Equipment: 2 cones, 8 tall cones, bibs in two colours, 1 ball per player.

Players: Two teams, which are assigned to the two lanes and wait at the starting position with their balls.

• As a preparatory drill or warm-up the players should first go through the course without a ball. Different running forms can be used, for example running backwards or the crab walk.
• In the basic sequence the players enter both the first and the last tall cone gate from the outside to the inside, so a half figure of eight is created.
• In the extension the same sequence is carried out with a ball, so the players dribble through the tall cone gates. As soon as the first player is back with the team, the next one starts.
• Play takes place over both sides, so that both feet are used.

Scoring: Run as a team competition: which team completes the course per side fastest?

Variations:

• The players run a complete figure of eight through the tall cone gates with and without a ball.
• With advanced players, extend the dribbling with additional tasks, for example swinging the ball between the feet, dragging with the sole backwards or sideways or dribbling with the weaker foot only.
• Place the tall cones closer together or stagger them, so that both tall cones have to be dribbled around.
• Play with one ball only: as soon as the first player has dribbled through the last tall cone gate, that player passes to the team-mate at the starting cone.

Note: Drill idea by Max Schönijahn.