Football-adapted gameFun Games
Dribbling Statues
Everyone dribbles freely; when the coach shouts 'statue', players stop the ball with the sole and freeze. The last one to stop does five toe taps.
- Age
- U6–U10
- Players
- 4–20
- Duration
- 8 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 15 × 15 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Football-adapted game
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling
- Physical: Coordination
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Ball masteryRunning with the ball
- Physical:BalanceReaction speed
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
A favourite with the youngest players. It trains close control (you can only stop quickly if the ball is near), stopping with the sole and balance. Change the stop signal to keep them alert: a whistle, a raised cone, a colour.
Objective
Keep the ball close while dribbling and stop it quickly on a signal.
Organisation
- Area of 15 × 15 m. One ball per player.
How it works
- Players dribble anywhere in the area.
- On 'statue', stop the ball with the sole and freeze like a statue.
- The coach calls other actions: 'sit on the ball', 'change direction', 'other foot'.
- Rounds of 1 minute.
Coaching points
- Small touches so the ball never goes far.
- Sole on top of the ball to stop it.
- Look up to avoid other players.
Progressions
- Freeze on one leg.
- Signal is visual (cone up) instead of spoken.
Regressions
- Bigger area so there are fewer collisions.
Variations
- Players who stop late become 'artists' who can unfreeze others with a high five.
Key principles
- Close ball, quick stop.
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