Skill Moves
Your child practises a step-over, scissors and a shoulder drop on both sides, then a stop-start dribble.
At a glance
- Step-over: circle a foot over the ball one way, then push it the other way with the outside of the other foot. 6 each side.
- Scissors: step over the front of the ball, then take it the opposite way. 6 each side.
- Shoulder drop: lean and drop a shoulder one way, then go the other. 8 times.
- Stop-start: dribble, stop dead, then explode away. 2 minutes.
- Progress 1: Use it on a defender: your child dribbles at a marker, does a move and bursts past it.
- Progress 2: Two moves in a row at the marker, like a step-over then a shoulder drop, then burst past.
If it's not working: Practise each move without a ball first, then with the ball standing still.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Warm up for 5 minutes: jog and dribble with close touches.
- A clear space about 10 giant steps long. Keep a marker handy for later.
Garden, park, indoors.
How to play
- Step-over: your child circles a foot over the ball one way, then pushes it the other way with the outside of the other foot. 6 each side.
- Scissors: step over the front of the ball, then take it the opposite way. 6 each side.
- Shoulder drop: lean and drop a shoulder one way, then go the other. 8 times.
- Stop-start: dribble, stop dead, then explode away. A change of pace beats defenders. 2 minutes.
Make it easier
- Practise each move without a ball first, then with the ball standing still.
- Start with the shoulder drop and stop-start, then add the step-over and scissors.
Make it harder, step by step
- Use it on a defender: your child dribbles at a marker, does a move and bursts past it.
- Two moves in a row at the marker, like a step-over then a shoulder drop, then burst past.
- Practice side: every move with the practice foot too.
- Add the burst: finish every move with 3 fast touches to get away.
Three things to say
- Sell the move with your body, then change pace: slow, then explosively fast.
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
- Step-over 8 times each side.
- 2018 to 2019
- Step-over 5 times each side.
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 moves they did today.