Every player with a ball.

Players are asked to dribble ball inside of area avoiding other players using correct dribbling technique showed by coach:

-Use pinky toe to push ball

-On toes/lift heels/knee over ball

-Head up tp observe other players/space

-When space is tight, take a touch with every step like Messi

-When see space to drive into, take bigger touches and accelerate into the space like Ronaldo

-If area crowed with players can you turn into a new space like Xavi

Once players grasping technical aspects shown by coach a competition is introduced:

-players must compete to see who can reach 'X' amount of dribble touches (pinky toe pushs) first, however if they leave the area or hit another player/ball they lose 'X' amount of counts i.e.if have taken 30 dribble touches then hit another player they are back down to a 20 count and may be racing to a 50 count.

-Make sure to at least play twice ensuring 1 game is left foot only and the 2nd is right foot only to train both feet equally.

Progression:

Add defenders. Every player has a ball apart from the defenders who are holding pinnies. The attacking players start on 10 points each, and the defenders on 9. If a defender touches your ball, the attacker gives them the ball and takes the pinnie to become the new defender along with losing a point. The player with the most amount of points left after 'X' amount of time is the winner.

-Keep head up and check shoulders regualry to identify where the defenders are/where the space is

-Smaller Messi touches in tighter areas, bigger Ronaldo touches if see pockets of space to drive into

-If challenged by a defender, can you shield ball (put body in between defender and the ball) and eventually turn away/beat the player like Xavi without defender getting touch on the ball.

Organization:

10 x 10 area, 2 players per area, both with a ball.

Instructions:

Players perform different types of ball mastery techniques/changes of direction without any pressure.

Changes of direction:

Inside/Outside cuts

Step-over turn

Drag-push

Coaching Points:

1. Head up after every touch

2. Ball out of feet to facilitate head coming up

3. Ball kept close (on 1st turn) if doing combination turn to fake defender then get away

Progressions:

Race- first player to x amount of exectued turning techniques (but must take x amount of Messi touches before execute next turn)

Organization:

Players racing in pairs againt partner

2x 2 yard gates 20 yards opposite each other

Turning zone in middle of grid

Instructions:

Players must race against there partner, ecah player must dribble out into the turning zone, perform the designated 2 turns demonstrated by the coach then race to be the first player to stop the ball in their partners gate.

Coaching Points:

Smaller touches when aproaching turning zone

short/sharp turns

bigger touch after 2nd turn to increase speed, then litlle ones again as get close to gate.

Try to turn quickly over little distance.

Turns to be taught:

Inside/Outside cut

Step-over

Drag-push

Progressions:

Add goals and make a team competition, first player to complete 2 turns in turning zone and score first gets point for their team

Organization:

2 goals, 1 ball per pair.If have space can replicate, try to use 3 pairs per group though to get a good work to rest ratio.

Roll in more balls so have multiple pairs working in space at same time to increase repetitions

Instructions:

Coach starts the game by rolling ball into area, players compete to win ball and then try to score in either goal.

Coaching Points:

1. Be aggressive in trying to win initial possession of ball

2. Recognition of space and pressure (do you need to turn?)

3. Cutting across defender (move through middle of 2 goals) to take them out of the game

4. Head up and accellerate when turning

Progressions: