Find the colour

WHY USE IT

This practice gives players lots of touches on the ball, allowing them to practice moving with it and encouraging them to understand the picture around them.

SET UP

Set out an area relative to your number of players. Mark out some small zones in the area, each a different colour.

HOW TO PLAY

Players move with the ball around the area, keeping the ball under control and avoiding collisions. The coach will then shout out an object that is the colour of one of the zones, for example, “tree!” for green or “tomato!” for red. The players must dribble their balls into the correct zone as quickly as possible.

Players start on 10 points - if they are the last player to get to the correct area, they lose a point. The player with the most points at the end wins.

Adaptations: Change the shape, size and placement of the area. Split the players into teams and they have to work the ball into the area together, rather than dribble it.

Coaching points

• Keep your head up when moving around the area so you have an awareness of where other players are, and where the coloured zones are in relation to you.
• Think about when you might want to have the ball under close control, dribbling it, and when you might want to run with it.