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Dribbling & Running with the ball.

Dribbling & Running with the ball

Players work in threes with two defenders in the centre grid. The practice starts with two players from each group work outside the large square, with the 3rd player in the area be

Ball M

U9-U10 Up the Steps Foundation 60 mins 8–14 players Progressive load Passing & receiving
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Practice timer

60:00

Pitch layout
Players Ball Pass / movement Cones / markers

How to use this session

  1. Set the learning intention before players arrive.
  2. Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
  3. Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
  4. Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.

Session flow

Arrival · 8 mins

Warm-up — Dribbling & Running with the ball.

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.
Technical · 15 mins

Dribbling & Running with the ball.

15:00

Players work in threes with two defenders in the centre grid. The practice starts with two players from each group work outside the large square, with the 3rd player in the area between the two squares. The two defenders play inside the inner square. Each groups A passes to B, who is inside the square. B dribbles or runs with the ball through the inner square and passes to C. B then exits the playing area.

Organisation: Balls: 20; Cones: Y; Goals: 2; Other: Large Cones

Coaching points
  • A now moves into the playing area and receives a pass from C A attempts to repeat the exercise.
  • All groups work at the same time to out number the two D's.
  • D try and win the ball then dribble out of the large square. Adopt a scoring system.
Progressions
  • Increase pressure / reduce space / add direction.
Regressions
  • Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Skill · 15 mins

Drill 2 — develop Dribbling & Running with the ball.

15:00

Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve dribbling & running with the ball. under pressure. Rotate roles often.

Organisation: SSG pitch with clear scoring / constraints linked to the theme.

Coaching points
  • Reward the theme with the scoring system.
  • Protect transition moments both ways.
  • Use guided discovery questions in natural stoppages.
Progressions
  • Shrink space / add a live defender.
Regressions
  • Unopposed patterns first.
Game · 17 mins

Drill 3 — game for Dribbling & Running with the ball.

17:00

Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards dribbling & running with the ball.. Minimal stoppages.

Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.

Coaching points
  • Find moments for dribbling & running with the ball..
  • Help a teammate who is stuck.
  • Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
  • Remove the condition when the theme is secure.
Regressions
  • Neutral helper / overload.
Plenary · 5 mins

Review & cool down

5:00

Players share one learning from the session against the intention.

Organisation: Circle with the ball.

Coaching points
  • Listen to teammates.
  • Name one success.

Related drills

Fun Races Warmup (dribbling/passing)

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.

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Passing Warmup

Warmup: Players in Pairs, standing opposite each other with a ball in the middle. One player runs and and receives the pass in the middle and passes it back, they then shuttle back to the start and start again Each Player will do 10 passes, 8 passes, 6 passes, 4 passes, 2 passes In between each set of passes the players will switch over. IF A PASS MISSES OR BALL GOES STRAY THEN THEY MUST START AGAIN (with the 10,8,6,4,2 – whichever they were on) Coaches walking in between getting in the way Coaching Points: Focus on the quality of the pass – especially when you get out of breath and gassed. Player not running times the pass to get to them as they return to the middle Passing Warmup

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Passing & Fitness Warmup w/communication

Warmup: Players in Pairs, standing opposite each other with a ball in the middle. One player runs and and receives the pass in the middle and passes it back, they then shuttle back to the start and start again Each Player will do 10 passes, 8 passes, 6 passes, 4 passes, 2 passes In between each set of passes the players will switch over. IF A PASS MISSES OR BALL GOES STRAY THEN THEY MUST START AGAIN (with the 10,8,6,4,2 – whichever they were on) Coaches walking in between getting in the way Coaching Points: Focus on the quality of the pass – especially when you get out of breath and gassed. Player not running times the pass to get to them as they return to the middle Players must ask for the ball and also shout he name of the person they’re passing too loudly! Passing & Fitness Warmup w/communication

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Passing Warmup

Warmup: Players in Pairs, standing opposite each other with a ball in the middle. One player runs and and receives the pass in the middle and passes it back, they then shuttle back to the start and start again Each Player will do 10 passes, 8 passes, 6 passes, 4 passes, 2 passes In between each set of passes the players will switch over. IF A PASS MISSES OR BALL GOES STRAY THEN THEY MUST START AGAIN (with the 10,8,6,4,2 – whichever they were on) Coaches walking in between getting in the way Coaching Points: Focus on the quality of the pass – especially when you get out of breath and gassed. Player not running times the pass to get to them as they return to the middle Passing Warmup

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