Football-adapted gameDribbling
Traffic Lights Dribbling Game
Young players dribble around like cars and react to the coach's calls: green (go fast), amber (slow, small touches) and red (stop the ball with the sole).
- Age
- U6–U10
- Players
- 6–16
- Duration
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- Low
- Area
- 15 × 15 m
- Type
- Cognitive
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Football-adapted game
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling
- Physical: Coordination
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Running with the ballBall mastery
- Physical:Reaction speedCoordination
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Neutral / support
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
A favourite with U6 to U10 players. The story of cars and traffic lights keeps children engaged while they practise dribbling, stopping the ball and changing speed. Because they must listen and react, it also trains attention. Add new 'road signs' each week to introduce turns and skills.
Objective
Develop close control, stopping the ball and changes of speed while listening and reacting to signals.
Organisation
- 15 × 15 m area, one ball per player.
- Each player is a 'car'; the ball is their car.
How it works
- Green light: dribble quickly around the area without crashing.
- Amber light: slow down, tiny touches.
- Red light: stop the ball with the sole of your foot and stand still.
- Add signs: 'Roundabout' (turn around the ball), 'Reverse' (drag the ball backwards), 'Tunnel' (dribble through a partner's legs).
- Play 60–90 second rounds with short breaks for drinks.
Coaching points
- Keep the ball close so you can stop quickly at a red light.
- Look up to avoid crashes.
- Use the sole to stop, then start again with a push of the laces.
- Praise effort and bravery, not just who stops first.
Progressions
- Show coloured cones instead of calling out, so players must look up.
- Add a 'police car' (player without a ball) who takes balls from cars that do not stop at red.
Regressions
- Fewer signals.
- Walk-and-dribble pace at the start.
Variations
- Teams of two cars: partners must stay together through the whole round.
Key principles
- Close control.
- Listen and react.
- Have fun with the ball.
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