Beat the Defender
Your child dribbles at a marker, does a skill move and bursts past, then beats two markers in a row.
At a glance
- Your child dribbles at a marker (the defender), does a skill move and bursts past into space. 6 runs.
- Change of pace: your child approaches slowly, then explodes past. 2 minutes.
- Two defenders: two markers in a row, 3 giant steps apart, beat one then the other. 6 runs.
- Progress 1: You defend instead of a marker, but only walk and never try to take the ball.
- Progress 2: You defend properly: jog in and try to win the ball. Your child beats you and protects the ball.
If it's not working: Use one marker defender for every run, not two.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Warm up for 3 minutes: a few step-overs and scissors.
- Put a marker down as a defender, with space to run past it.
Garden, park.
How to play
- Marker defender: your child dribbles at it, does a skill move and bursts past into space. 6 runs.
- Change of pace: approach slowly, then explode past. Slow, then fast. 2 minutes.
- Two defenders: two markers in a row, 3 giant steps apart. Beat one, then the other. 6 runs.
Make it easier
- Use one marker defender for every run, not two.
- Do the skill move standing still next to the marker first, then add the run-up.
Make it harder, step by step
- You defend instead of a marker, but only walk and never try to take the ball.
- You defend properly: jog in and try to win the ball. Your child beats you and protects the ball.
- Finish it: after beating the defender, a shot at a goal.
- Both sides: beat the defender going left and going right.
- Two moves: if the first move doesn't work, straight into a second.
Three things to say
- Slow, then fast.
- Protect the ball after you beat them.
Colts habit
Work hard: little and often beats one long go.
Both feet
Do a round with the practice foot only.
Heads up
Look up between touches.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2016 to 2017
- Marker defender 10 times.
- 2018 to 2019
- Marker defender 6 times.
Safety: Pick a clear, flat space, look out for traffic and hazards, and stop if anything hurts. Soft ball indoors.
Keeping score: Not counted. Tick the drills they did today.