Four goals marked with cones Divide the players up into teams of four. Teams play un-opposed and try to travel to as many goals as they can by passing or dribbling into the areas.
Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.
Session flow
8m
18m
18m
16m
5m
Arrival · 8 mins
Warm-up rondo — Awareness Dribbling in tight areas.
8:00
Players arrive into a ball-rolling activity linked to the session theme.
Organisation: Small grids / mini pitches ready before players arrive.
Coaching points
Smile, connect, set the learning intention early.
High ball rolling from the first minute.
Progressions
Add directional constraints.
Regressions
Reduce pressure / enlarge space.
Whole game · 18 mins
Conditioned game — Awareness Dribbling in tight areas.
18:00
Directional game with a condition that makes awareness dribbling in tight areas. the easiest path to success. Multi-ball restarts.
Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; bibs.
Coaching points
Recognise when awareness dribbling in tight areas. is on.
In possession: create and use space.
Out of possession: organise early.
Progressions
Tighten space or add a scoring bonus for the theme.
Regressions
Add a neutral / bounce player.
Part practice · 18 mins
Awareness Dribbling in tight areas.
18:00
Four goals marked with cones Divide the players up into teams of four. Teams play un-opposed and try to travel to as many goals as they can by passing or dribbling into the areas. If they hit another player from one of the other teams then the whole team must leave the pitch for 30 seconds
Organisation: Balls: 12; Bibs: 2x4; Cones: Y; Other: 16 large
Coaching points
Play one team as a floating team and the other two teams against each other creating a 8v4 for the team in possession.
Play into two squares per team.
Ask the players to chip the ball into the square and the receiving player must catch the ball.
Progressions
Progression.
Teams score by passing into a team mate or bye dribbling the ball in. Progression.
Regressions
Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Game · 16 mins
Transfer game — Awareness Dribbling in tight areas.
16:00
Open or lightly conditioned game. Freeze only to reinforce one coaching point from awareness dribbling in tight areas..
Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch and numbers.
Coaching points
Catch them being good when the theme appears.
Manage challenge vs success live.
Progressions
Remove all conditions.
Regressions
Reintroduce the theme condition for 3 minutes.
Plenary · 5 mins
Review & cool down
5:00
Players share one learning from the session against the intention.
Organisation: Team huddle.
Coaching points
Link back to Four Corners and next session.
Related drills
20yards
20yards
20yards
Drill: Dribbling obstacle course
Dribbling Obstacle Course (10 Minutes)
Setup: Set up a simple obstacle course twice with cones, gates, and a goal at the end.
Players take turns navigating the course with the ball.
Finish by shooting into the goal.
Instructions:
Demonstrate the course first.
Encourage creativity and speed.
Progression: Turn it into a team race
Key Coaching Points:
Controlled dribbling.
Quick touches through tight spaces.
Accurate finish at the end.
Dribble Pass/Shoot:
Players setup in 3 stations
Players from 1 dribble through cones and pass
to players on 3 to get a shot off
3) They they go in shooting queue
4) After shooting they choose a side to dribble through and set next person up
Looking for- Low hard shots into corners- Placed shots into high areas
- Progression
- Add a keeper
2
1
3
20yards
20yards
Drill: Collect the Treasure/Cones
Objective: Develop 1v1 skills (attacking and defending) with a focus on dribbling and decision-making.
Setup:
Create a grid (20x20 yards).
Place 10 cones in the middle of the grid, each representing "treasure."
Split players into two teams: Pirates and Defenders.
Pirates start outside the grid with a ball each.
Defenders start inside the grid without a ball.
Instructions:
The Pirates' goal is to dribble into the grid, "steal" a treasure , and dribble back out to the outside without being tackled.
Defenders try to block Pirates and win the ball. If a Defender wins the ball, they pass it out of the grid for the attacker to start again.
Each time will be timed doing the drill and the team that gets all the cones out quickest wins.
Dynamic Warmup:
Forward Zig Zag through, running technique over “hurdles” then round cone. – COLLECT CONE FROM END AND BRING TO START
Run alongside cones putting doing quick feet touching both feet in between each cone , running technique over “hurdles” then round cone. X2 – COLLECT CONE FROM END AND BRING TO START
Backward Zig Zag through, running technique over “hurdles” then round cone. – COLLECT CONE FROM END AND BRING TO START
2 footed hop, running technique over “hurdles” then round cone. – COLLECT CONE FROM END AND BRING TO START
With ball:
Forward Zig Zag through dribbling ball close to feet, leave ball and jump hurdles – COLLECT CONE FROM END jump back over hurdles and dribble ball back to next player
Fun Races Warmup (dribbling/passing)
Final Races:
Dribble ball round end cone and bring all the way to back and pass through whole teams legs back to front player so they can go X3
Whole team turns round moves backwards, must pass ball through everyones legs to front player who joins the back and repeats until they reach finish line.