3v3 Dribble Game: Stop the Ball on the Line
3v3 where teams score by stopping the ball on the opponents' end line and passes may not go forward. Dribbling and 1v1s for older players.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 6–8
- Duration
- 16 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 30 × 20 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling, 1v1 attacking
- Tactical: Decision making
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
Older players often stop dribbling because a pass is always safer. In this game passes can only go sideways or backwards, so the only way to move forward is to run with the ball or beat an opponent. Players learn when to take on a defender, when to run into space and how to protect the ball until a teammate helps.
Objective
Progress with the ball by running into space and beating opponents 1v1, choosing the moment to dribble and to pass sideways.
Organisation
- 30 × 20 m area. The end lines are the scoring lines.
- Two teams of three. With 7 or 8 players, play 4v4 or rotate one player in every round.
- Spare balls on both sides.
How it works
- A team scores by stopping the ball with the sole on the opponents' end line.
- Passes may only go sideways or backwards. A forward pass gives the ball to the other team.
- A point after beating a defender 1v1 in the same action is worth 2 (the coach decides).
- Restart from your own end line after a point. 4 rounds of 3 minutes with 1 minute of rest.
Coaching points
- Run with the ball into free space with long touches; dribble with short touches when a defender is close.
- Attack the defender's front foot and change speed as you pass them.
- If you cannot go forward, shield the ball with your body and wait for a teammate to come close.
- Teammates: offer a sideways pass and move into space ahead, ready to receive after the next dribble.
- After beating a player, look up: the line is close.
Progressions
- Points only count if the player beat at least one defender in the action.
- Narrow the area to 15 m.
- Add a neutral defender who always defends (3v4).
Regressions
- Allow one forward pass per action.
- Widen the area to 25 m.
- Dribbling over the line, without stopping the ball, is enough to score.
Variations
- Replace the end lines with two cone gates per side: you must dribble through a gate.
Key principles
- Dare to take players on.
- Run into space when it is free.
- Protect the ball when you cannot go forward.
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