Ball Mastery: Using Both Feet Dribbling Square

Written by Lee Fletcher

 10 Minutes

 Ball Mastery

 attacking

 Ages 9-12

Equipment List
 4 Players
 1 Football
 4 Cones
 10x10 Area
This exercise will introduce the concept of dribbling with both feet
Key Coaching Points

Ball control - Players to keep the ball close to them when dribbling around the corners and should use a longer
touch when in a straight line.

Dribbling technique - Players to use both feet to move the ball quickly keeping a tight control, low centre of
gravity and different areas of the feet depending on ball position.

Acceleration away from turn - To go around the square at maximum speed, players should power out of the
turn with speed to improve turning techniques.

Set Up
Player to start on the cone and move clockwise as fast as they can around the area. If the ball hits the cone or
goes on the inside the player must start again. Once finished, the player behind starts.

Progression
Make it more challenging:

Go anti-clockwise

Challenge players individually

Add chasing defender

 Ball Mastery: Dribbling With Both Feet
 10 Minutes

 Ball Mastery

 attacking

 Ages 9-12

Equipment List
 4 Players
 4 Footballs
 20 Cones
 15x5 Area
This exercise focuses on the ability of your players to dribble with both feet.
Key Coaching Points
Ball control - Players to keep the ball close to them when dribbling around the mannequins and should use a
longer touch to turn out of the mannequins.

Dribbling technique - Players to use both feet to move the ball quickly keeping a tight control, low centre of
gravity and different areas of the feet depending on ball position.

Acceleration away from Mannequin - To go around the square at maximum speed, players should power out
of the turn with speed to improve turning techniques.

Set Up
8 mannequins placed in two lines in a zig-zag shape. Player (Blue) to dribble from in and out of the
mannequins with both feet. Once the player has reached the end they then play a pass for the player waiting at
the opposite end. The receiving player then performs the dribbling sequence.

Progression
Make it more challenging:

Challenge players individually

Change the direction of the mannequins

Different movements to pass the mannequins such as skills

 Ball Mastery: Finishing With Both Feet
 15 Minutes

 Ball Mastery

 attacking

 Ages 9-12

Equipment List
 3 Players
 10 Footballs
 1 Bib
 5 Cones
 25x15 Area
This shooting exercise introduces the concept of finishing with both feet.
Key Coaching Points
Accuracy of shot - Players to use a variety of shots such as power and placement whilst concentrating on
accuracy when shooting.

Angle of approach - Depending on the direction of the pass and the speed of the ball, players should adjust
their angle of approach to shoot at goal with the correct shot selection.

Body shape when shooting - Players need to concentrate on their body shape when shooting. If a power shot
players should be straight on to the ball and with a placement shot plays need to have a slightly side on
approach.

Set Up
Goal at one end. 15 yards away there is a mannequin and 2 more behind 5 yards apart. There is also a line 10
yards away from the goal. The player shooting must finish before the line. The blue player receives the ball
from each player one at a time (red players). Every time a player completes a shot they must retreat around the
mannequin before completing the next shot. When receiving from the right the player must shoot with their left
and when receiving on the left side, they player must finish with their right.

Progression
Make it more challenging:

Challenge players individually

Change foot from receiving side

No touch before shooting

Red player becomes defender when pass is played

Add Goalkeeper
 Ball Mastery: Aerial Control With Both Feet
 5 Minutes

 Ball Mastery

 attacking

 Ages 9-12

Equipment List
 1 Players
 1 Football
 4 Cones
 5x5 Area
The simple keepy-up exercise will help players with balance and ability to control the ball with both feet.
Key Coaching Points
Balance - When keeping the ball up in the air, players should maintain good balance with agility and
coordination.

Use both feet - When the ball is in the air, players need to use both feet.

Concentration - When keeping the ball up players should concentrate to achieve their highest score.

Set Up
Player and the ball in the middle. Player must keep the ball off the ground and keep it in the air with both feet.
If the player drops the ball it starts again. If the player moves out of the area with the ball, the player must start
again.

Progression
Make it easier:

Start with the ball in the hands

Change area size

Make it more challenging:

Challenge players individually

Make areas smaller

 Ball Mastery: Passing And Receiving 2 Touch
 10 Minutes

 Ball Mastery

 attacking

 Ages 9-12

Equipment List
 2 Players
 1 Football
 2 Bibs
 8 Cones
 10x10 Area
This receiving exercise introduces the concept of receiving on one foot to pass on the other.
Key Coaching Points
First touch - Players should take their first touch across the body to the other foot to pass.

Type of control - Players to use the inside of the foot to work the ball across the body.

Technique when controlling - Players need to be on their toes, cushion the ball to slow it down before
moving the ball to pass.

Set Up
Two 3x3 squares marked out at either end of the area. Players 1 and 2 start in the middle each square. Squares
to be 10 yards apart. Player 1 passes the ball on the ground into player 2. Player has 2 touches to control the
ball inside the square. Player 2 then passes the ball back to player 1 who does the same. Players must use both
feet in the two touches. If the player receives on the left, they must pass on the right.

Progression
Make it more challenging:

Challenge players individually

Increase pace of the pass into receiving player

Receive and pass on the same foot - alternate feet

 Ball Mastery: Passing And Receiving 2 Touch Back Foot
 10 Minutes

 Ball Mastery

 attacking

 Ages 9-12

Equipment List
 4 Players
 1 Football
 2 Bibs
 4 Cones
 15x15 Area
This passing drill will help players receive and pass in fluid movements, using both feet.
Key Coaching Points
Open body - When receiving the ball players should maintain an open body position side on to move the ball
more fluidly to other players.

Using both feet - To receive and then pass the ball, player need to concentrate to use both feet and use
different areas of the foot to pass the ball.

Receiving and passing - In order to move the ball well, players must look to receive on the back foot and pass
on the front foot in one fluid movement to keep the ball moving working with both feet.

Set Up
4 mannequins placed around the area in a diamond shape with 10 yard distance between them. A player starts
next to the mannequin with the ball. Player to pass clockwise around to the other player, continuing around the
mannequins.

Progression
Make it easier:

Start with the ball in the hands

Make areas bigger

Make it more challenging:

Challenge players individually

Make areas smaller

Take out the zones

Limit touches

Play faster to the other players to test the touch

Different types of passes - driven, lofted

Change direction of passes - clockwise then counter-clockwise