Warm-up: Changing course

WHY USE IT

This warm-up gives players the opportunity to get lots of touches.

SET UP

Set up a playing area relative to the age and ability of your players, with a number of gates set out. Each player needs a ball.

HOW TO PLAY

Players dribble around and get points by dribbling through gates. They can’t score through the same gate twice in a row. If the coach shouts “change”, they swap balls with another player. You can challenge players to only use their less-comfortable foot, or use all parts of the foot except for the instep. This encourages small touches and creativity.

Progression 1: When dribbling through a gate, practice a skill to change direction.

Progression 2: Dribble through a gate, add a skill if desired and change pace.

COACHING POINTS

Dribbling: small touches, keeping ball under tight control and using all areas of the foot.

Scanning: awareness of space, location of the gates and available teammates when changing balls.

Communication: both verbal and non-verbal, for quick change of balls.

Passing and receiving: use both feet, while considering weight and direction of passes. Receive with an open body to efficiently resume dribbling into space.