Running With the Ball Relay Race
Teams race in relays, running with the ball 16 m around a cone and back. Players learn to push the ball ahead and run fast, not to dribble with short touches.
- Age
- U7–U14
- Players
- 6–20
- Duration
- 12 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 20 × 10 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling
- Physical: Speed
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Running with the ball
- Physical:AccelerationChange of direction
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
Running with the ball is different from dribbling: with free space ahead, the player pushes the ball 2–3 m in front and sprints after it. The relay format keeps players motivated and every player runs 5–6 short sprints with recovery while teammates run.
Objective
Run quickly with the ball using long pushes in free space and turn tightly around a cone.
Organisation
- Teams of 3–5 players, each in a line behind a start cone.
- A turning cone 16 m in front of each line.
How it works
- The first player runs with the ball around the turning cone and back, then stops the ball for the next player.
- First team to finish wins.
- 5–6 races; change the turn (left foot, right foot, sole roll).
Coaching points
- Push the ball with the laces 2–3 m ahead when the space is free.
- Look up between touches.
- Slow down with small touches before the turn and accelerate out of it.
Progressions
- Add a slalom of three cones on the way back.
- Finish with a pass to the next player from 5 m.
Regressions
- Shorten the distance to 10 m.
Variations
- Return by passing the ball to the next player instead of dribbling.
Key principles
- Long touches in space, short touches near the cone.
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