Sole Stop Garage
A game for keeping the ball under control right to the end of the dribble.
A 2 m garage strip at each end; score by dribbling into the garage and stopping the ball dead with the sole.
Set up
- Mark the pitch with 4 corner cones.
- At each end, put a cone on each touchline 2 m in from the end line. The strip between these cones and the end line is that end's garage.
- Teams start in their own half, attacking the garage at the far end.
Same pitch sizes as Dribble the Line. Per pitch: 4 corner cones plus 4 more marking a 2 m deep garage across the full width of each end line; bibs; 6 spare balls with the coach. No goals.
How to play
- A team scores by dribbling into the other team's garage and stopping the ball dead with the sole.
- Passing is allowed everywhere except into the garage, which must be dribbled into.
- The coach keeps one Sole Stop count for both teams together, and the group tries to beat it in the next round.
- New ball from the coach straight away after every stop or out of play.
Keeping everyone moving
A new ball comes in straight away after every stop.
Make it easier
- A deeper garage (3 m).
- Allow a sole stop anywhere in the attacking half after beating a player.
Make it harder
- A shallower garage (1 m).
- The sole stop must be with the practice foot for a double count.
Three things to say
- Keep the ball close all the way in.
- Get your sole on top of it to finish.
- Get back and help your team every time.
Colts habit
Work hard: get back and help your team every time.
Both feet
A practice-foot sole stop counts double.
Heads up
Look for the open side of the garage.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- 3v3. Make the garage 3 m deep.
- 2018 to 2019
- 5v5 as written.
- 2016 to 2017
- 7v7. Make the garage 1 m deep, and the dribbler must change direction in the attacking half before entering.
Safety: Stay on your feet. No sliding into the garage.
Keeping score: The shared Sole Stop count, beaten next round.