Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U8 boys dribbling and ball manipulation

Treasure Island (15 mins)

Set up & organization

Set up are large grid appropriate for your numbers. In the middle of the grid have a small 6x6 grid which is the Island. Two players in red mark the Ireland and are the taggers. Scatter flags or bibs around the outer grid. These act as the treasure. All other players must dribble in and out of the cones. On coaches “GO” they must dribble to collect a piece of treasure and try and get it onto the Island, if they hit a cone, another player or their ball, or are tagged they must return the treasure to the outer area, and then carry on dribbling. If they get it onto the Island they score a point.

Coaching points

Good dribbling technique, change of pace, awareness, head always looking, change of direction.

four goal 1v1 dribbling (20 mins)

Set up & organization

In a 20x20 grid set up four gaols on each side with a small cone gate in front of it. Players line up in two equal teams at diagonally opposite corners. Coach stands at the third corner with balls.

Coach players the ball into the middle giving team A slight advantage. Both players sprint to the ball. Whoever gets the ball has the choice of the four goals to score in but they must go through the gate first. If the ball is won the other player can counter on any goals with the same rules.

Coaching points

Fast to the ball

Make a good decision when in possession of the ball

Good dribbling technique

Good change of direction to obtain distance from opposition

Take on moves, and finishing techniques