Ball Mastery

Traffic Lights Dribbling

Build close control at different speeds

Ball Mastery
Dribbling
Warm Ups

Traffic Lights Dribbling is a 10-minute ball mastery drill for 4-24 players, suitable for Under 5 to Adults at beginner, intermediate level. You need balls, cones. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Ball Mastery
Dribbling
Warm Ups
Warm Up
Beginner
Intermediate
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes

Duration

10 min

Players

4-24

Pitch size

20 x 15 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate

Objectives

  • -Build close control at different speeds
  • -Sharpen reactions to a coach cue
  • -Introduce stopping and starting with the ball

Setup

  1. 1Mark a rectangle big enough for everyone to move freely.
  2. 2One ball per player inside the area.
  3. 3Coach stands where all players can see and hear.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Green means dribble at speed, amber means slow control, red means stop the ball with the sole.
  2. 2Add commands: reverse, weak foot only, swap balls.
  3. 3Run 4-5 rounds of 45 seconds with short rests.

Coaching points

  • -Keep the ball within one stride at all times
  • -Stop the ball dead with the sole, body over it
  • -Scan the area before changing direction
  • -Accelerate out of every stop

Common mistakes

  • -Kicking and chasing instead of dribbling
  • -Stopping with the ball too far ahead
  • -Only using the strong foot

Where this drill fits

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