U10–U11 Dribbling Focus
A 60-minute session dedicated to dribbling under pressure.
▦Session blocks
Dribble and Freeze
Classic warm-up — freeze means stop the ball dead with sole. Progressions: freeze with right foot only, then left foot only, then turn 180 before unfreezing. Gets everyone moving with the ball immediately, no queues, late arrivals join seamlessly.
1v1 Move Isolation — Passive Defender
Attacker dribbles at a passive (stationary) defender and attempts a specific move: stepover, scissors, inside cut, or outside cut. Defender stands still — this is about technique rehearsal, not competition. 4 reps per move, four moves total. Call each move by name before the player attempts it. 'Stepover, go.'
1v1 Active — Channel Duel
3m wide channel, attacker tries to beat defender and reach the far end. Defender can now move and press. Key coaching cue: 'commit to the move — a half-hearted step-over doesn't fool anyone.' 8 reps per pair, rotating roles. Track: how many beats per 8 attempts? Target: 4+ by end of block.
SSG — Dribbling Rules
7v7 game. Round 1: goal only counts if the scorer dribbled past at least one player in the build-up. Round 2: any dribble that beats a player earns 1 bonus point (tracked and called aloud). Round 3: free play. The scoring rules in rounds 1–2 make dribbling the rational choice rather than the risky one.
◆What you'll need from yourself
Clear demonstrations and high energy. Keep the session moving with minimal queuing, and reinforce one or two key coaching points rather than overloading players with information.
!Common problems
Players standing in queues (set up enough stations to keep everyone active) and the session running too long on one activity (keep blocks tight and move on while engagement is high).