Dribble in the Box
Dribble round a box of 4 markers with small touches, then a smaller box, then a timed 50-touch count.
At a glance
- 4 markers make a box about 5 giant steps wide. Your child dribbles round inside it with small touches: inside, outside and sole.
- Round 1, 2 minutes: every touch uses a different part of the foot. Round 2, 2 minutes: a turn and a new direction every 5 touches.
- Round 3, 2 minutes: shrink the box to 3 giant steps and keep the ball under control. You time each round.
- Finish with the 50-touch count: 50 touches as fast as they can, in control. You time it.
- Progress 1: Add a skill: a side-to-side or drag-back every 5 touches, then dribble on.
- Progress 2: Traffic lights: you call red (stop the ball dead with the sole) or green (dribble fast).
If it's not working: Make the box bigger, about 8 giant steps wide, so there is more room.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Warm up for 3 minutes: a minute each of toe taps, sole rolls and side-to-sides.
- Mark a box about 5 giant steps wide with the 4 markers.
Garden, park, indoors.
How to play
- Your child dribbles around the box with small touches: inside, outside and sole.
- Different surface each touch: every touch uses a different part of the foot. 2 minutes.
- Change direction: every 5 touches they turn and dribble a new way, like dodging someone. 2 minutes.
- Tight box: shrink the box to 3 giant steps and they keep the ball under control in the smaller space. 2 minutes.
- 50-touch count: 50 touches as fast as they can while staying in control. You time it.
Make it easier
- Make the box bigger, about 8 giant steps wide, so there is more room.
- Any part of the foot is fine, with no need to change it every touch.
Make it harder, step by step
- Add a skill: a side-to-side or drag-back every 5 touches, then dribble on.
- Traffic lights: you call red (stop the ball dead with the sole) or green (dribble fast).
- Practice-foot lap: a full lap of the box using only the practice foot.
Three things to say
- Keep the ball close enough to touch every step.
- Every part of the foot.
- Eyes up as you change direction.
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
- Dribble the box for 4 minutes. Two goes at the 50-touch count.
- 2018 to 2019
- Dribble the box for 3 minutes. One go at the 50-touch count.
- 2020 to 2021
- Pick 3 or 4 of the drills and keep each one short.
Safety: Pick a clear, flat space, look out for traffic and hazards, and stop if anything hurts. Soft ball indoors.
My best
Time for 50 touches under control. Last time and this time. Only ever compared with their own earlier go, never with anyone else's. Saved on this device only.