Dribbling and Feinting to Get Ready for 1v1

Category: Soccer Dribbling Drills

Goal: This soccer drill emphasises dribbling, feinting,
orientation and also focuses on changing direction and speed
up-slow down with the ball. Besides the exercise helps to
prepare the players gradually to 1v1 game.
U10-U12, U13-U15

Difficulty Level 4

Organisation
Cones are used to create 2 circles. The bigger one's diameter is approximately 18-20
meters (the center circle is perfect), the smaller one's is about 6-8 meters. This soccer
dribbling drill is executed optimally with 12 players, who are divided into 4 groups of
3. Groups are identified with different colours and they are located by the cones, 2
players are with a ball by a cone and the third player is by the opposite cone, as
shown. The diameters of the circles can be changed but they must be adequate to the
given age category.

Soccer Dribbling Drill Set Up

4 players start dribbling at the same time. They perform a sort of feints or make body
fakes in the circle, then dribble the ball away and pass it to their team-mate waiting by
the opposite cone. They change position and the soccer drill continues the same way.
As far as possible the players start dribbling together.

The 4 groups of 3 is transfered into a 3 groups of 4 and place one player of each teams

into the circle. These players act as passive defenders in Variation 1 and active in
Variation 2. Players change the attacker-defender position periodically.

In the second variation 3 players start dribbling at the same time. They dribble the ball
into the circle, try to outplay their passive defenders with a sort of feints or body
fakes, then dribble the ball out of the area and passes it to their team-mate waiting by
the opposite cone. The 3 players perform passive defending in the circle and they only
disturb their team-mates in the same colour.

In the third variation 3 players start the action at the same time. They dribble the ball
into the circle, try to outplay one of the defenders with a sort of feints or body fakes,
then dribble the ball out of the area and passes it to their team-mate waiting by the
opposite cone. The 3 players are active defenders now and they try to tackle. The
defenders can only attack the players in other coloured vests and they can move in the
circle. In case a defender intercepts the ball, gives it back and the attacker dribbles it
out of the area and passes it to their team-mate waiting by the opposite cone. It can
happen that 2 defenders pay attention to 1 attacker so one of the dribblers can go
through the area with the ball unnopposed. He must assess the situation fast and
dribble the ball at full speed.
Coaching Points

Often touch the ball

Heads up while dribbling to keep orientation and avoid collisions

Use feints and deceptive movements to beat the defender

Try to dribble at maximum speed when needed

Keep the ball close to the feet

Covering the ball

Take it competitive

Use both feet to dribble

Set Up
Number of players: 12
Time: 15 min
Equipment

Small Cones: 10

Vests: 9 - 12