By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College
Set Up:
Divide group of players into two teams. Each team will begin with a ball at a starting point. From the starting point there will be a slalom course of cones followed by Five (5) or mare gates that are spread out across the area between the two teams.
Instructions:
On the coach's command the players on each team will slalom through their cones and then try to dribble through as many gates as possible for their team. They will have a total of 15 seconds for their turn so the total number of gates they can dribble through in their time slot will be the number of points they give their team.
Variations
- For younger players you can eliminate or lesson the slalom cones.
- For more advanced players you can dictate what foot they must use in the dribble or color code the gates to say they must go through a color gate with a certain foot
- Increase the number of teams going at one time to three or more so that they will have to deal with not just the pressure of time, but, also space and bodies.
Coaching Points:
- When dribbling slalom try to use both feet to increase speed and control
- When going through gates look to take a big, accelerating touch out of the gate towards your next target
- When turning with the ball try to use the outside of your feet so that you can cut more quickly
- Keep your eyes up as you dribble so that you can begin to pick out your next target of where you will be going
- When dribbling look to go as quickly as possible without concern for messing up, push beyond comfort
Start Racing
Set Up:
Place a cone box in the center of a large grid. From there place flag gates approximately 12 to 15 yards from the center of the box in the shape of a five pointed (or more) star.
Instructions:
Divide group into two teams. It is possible for more advanced players to have three or more teams working at once. On the coach's command the players will dribble from the center box to a point on the star. They will then go through the star gate, turn tightly back to the center box and sprint dribble back to the cones before repeating again. Players will repeat this until they have gone through all five points of the star and returned to the starting box.
Variations
- Teams can compete in the following manner: 1) Each player is timed and the team time is added up – least amount of time to complete the course wins 2) Treat it as a relay race and when one person gets back to the start box the next on their team can go 3) Treat each star as an individual race and award points to the team with the winner in each race
Coaching Points:
- Work to speed dribble with as few touches as possible from the box to the star gate. However, make sure it is close enough to be in control of the ball and facilitate a quick turn
- Dribble as close to the gate as you can so that your cut will be tight and quick
- As soon as your body is through the gate use the outside of your foot to cut the ball back around the outside of the gate looking to move the ball towards the start box with the actual cut
- Within the starting box it may be beneficial to use the bottom of your foot to navigate back out again since there will be multiple balls that could potentially be in there at the same time
- Keep your head up as you dribble so that you can anticipate traffic in areas and can adjust your body to successfully navigate that traffic while not losing pace on the ball
Minute to Win It
Set Up:
Set cones of flags at the corners of the 18 yard box. At each cone there should be a team member (this allows you to have up to 16 people working at once on a full field. On the coaches command the player on the end line will dribble to the next station and play a ball behind the cone but in front of the next person. That player will pick up the ball and repeat the dribble and pass with all players on the outside of the box following suit. When the player on the outside of the 18 yard box gets the ball they will not dribble. Instead, they must play a pass to the player on the end line at the six yard box. That player will pass to the top of the six. That player will pass to the other side of the six and finally end it with the player on the other side of the six yard box. All players will follow their ball (dribble or pass) to the next cone.
Variations
- Have all players dribble including the players on the six yard box
- Alternate all players so it will be a pattern of dribble-pass-dribble-pass
- Have pattern repeat itself with players continuing to follow their pass (or dribble) until the player who started it all returns to their starting point.
- See how far each team can get in 1 minute or challenge them to complete as much as possible in 1 minute
Coaching Points
- When dribbling take longer touches but close enough to be able to play a touch pass at the next flag
- When laying the ball in front of the next player put it at an angle where they can run onto it and not stop to pick it up on the dribble
- When passing adjust your body so that your hips allow you to play a 1 touch ball if at all possible
- If a two touch ball is required make sure your first touch brings the ball in front of you at an angle so you can play the pass with your next touch
By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)
