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Purpose:
Players must understand how to be aware of the action around them in order to keep 100% control of the ball, and this exercise will help them improve their awareness.

Setup:
Four passers staggered over a 20-yard straightaway. Each of the passers has a ball. There will be one dribbler at the start of the 20 yards.

Players work on ball control and reacting quickly without losing focus.

Execution:

  • The object of the game is to try and break the concentration of the player dribbling the ball along the 20-yard course.
  • The passers will kick their ball towards the player dribbling the ball at half pace down the field.
  • The ball carrier should attempt to dodge (or field, if they can) the balls that are being kicked at them, all while maintaining control of the ball.
  • Rotate the passers and dribblers so that each player gets to dribble at least twice.

Coaching Tips:

  • Stress to your players that this requires good ball control skills, keeping the head up, and good dribbling.
  • There are a lot of distractions during a game, and a player must be able to maintain their focus and be able to react quickly to certain situations during the game. They’ll learn that in this drill, or they will get hit with the ball.

For younger athletes:

  • Encourage younger players to focus on basic ball touches. Teach them to use both the inside and outside of their foot for better ball control.
  • Introduce simple dodging techniques like side steps or quick directional changes. This will help them avoid incoming balls while maintaining control.
  • Help them develop spatial awareness. Teach them to frequently glance up and survey their surroundings, not just focusing on the ball.

For older athletes:

  • Challenge older players to use more advanced dribbling skills like step-overs or feints to evade the incoming balls while maintaining control.
  • Incorporate speed and agility into the drill. Encourage them to increase their pace while dribbling, as this simulates the high-speed decision-making required in matches.
  • Reinforce the importance of maintaining focus under pressure. Use this drill to simulate match-like pressure and distractions, encouraging players to stay calm and think quickly.
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