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Dribbling Mastery 2

Activity

Set up a grid or playing area tell your players they must stay inside the area you can’t let your ball go outside of the area. When introducing the skills it should be done using Blocked practice first, followed by Serial practice and then Random practice. More info on these three phases is contained below.

Blocked practice in learning involves repeatedly practicing the same single skill in a consistent, unchanging environment. This method allows for focused repetition and muscle memory development, making it effective for initially learning and refining specific techniques.

Serial practice refers to practicing several different skills in a fixed order. Unlike blocked practice, where one skill is repeatedly drilled, serial practice involves a sequence of different skills, but this sequence remains consistent throughout the practice session.

Random practice involves practicing a variety of skills in a random order, rather than in a fixed sequence as in serial practice or repeatedly focusing on one skill as in blocked practice. This approach requires the player to adapt to different types of skills in an unpredictable sequence, closely mimicking the varied and spontaneous nature of real-game scenarios.

Skills

  1. Right Foot – Outside/Laces
  2. Left Foot – Outside/Laces
  3. Alternate Foot – Outside/Laces
  4. Alternate Foot – Inside Foot
  5. Combinations Of Inside/Outside/Laces
  6. Sole Rolls And Drags

Variations & Progressions

Instruct players to dribble and visit the corners of the playing grid and or the centre cone to give your activity a little direction

Put half your players on each side of your playing grid they must dribble across the playing grid to the other side. All players go at the same time so they have to avoid the oncoming players, keep making the grid narrower as you go along to make it more difficult

Put your players at the corners of your grid the first player at each corner has a ball they must dribble diagonally across the grid and give the ball to the next player waiting in line. Players must avoid the other players as they cross paths in the middle of the grid.

Coaching Points

  • Use different parts of both feet to dribble the ball with
  • Keep the ball close at all times using lots of softer smaller touches
  • Introduce the push technique where the player push the ball forwards rather than kicking the ball

Have your players focus on great technique and using the correct part of the foot and being able to stop the ball in the activities first before worrying about speed

While dribbling, it’s crucial to maintain your vision with your head up and eyes forward, which allows you to fully observe the field, including teammates, opponents, and open spaces. Constantly scanning the area enhances your spatial awareness, enabling you to anticipate other players’ movements and react swiftly. This approach not only prevents collisions but also aids in making quick, effective decisions like evading opponents or changing direction, vital for successful play in real-game situations.