Traffic Lights Dribbling

Objectives

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

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at 20 x 15 yards. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Mark a rectangle big enough for everyone to move freely.
3. 3One ball per player inside the area.
4. 4Coach stands where all players can see and hear.
5. 5Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
6. 6Split 4-24 players into two or three even groups. Run two stations side by side if you have the space, so lines never grow beyond four players.
7. 7Set the area up before the players arrive, then walk them through the shape once at a jog before the first live repetition.

How to run it, step by step

1. 1Get the players into position and walk the first repetition through slowly so everybody knows where they start and where they go.
2. 2Green means dribble at speed, amber means slow control, red means stop the ball with the sole.
3. 3Add commands: reverse, weak foot only, swap balls.
4. 4Run 4-5 rounds of 45 seconds with short rests.
5. 5After their action each player follows their pass and joins the back of the next line, so everybody rotates through every position in the practice.
6. 6The repetition ends when the ball reaches the final target or leaves the area. The next player starts straight away.
7. 7Freeze the practice once or twice per round, make one coaching point to the whole group, then restart immediately.

What each player does

Working player

Takes the repetition: receives, executes the ball mastery action and finishes the sequence at match pace.

Server

Delivers a consistent, firm ball on the coach's call, then collects a spare ball ready for the next repetition.

Waiting players

Stand behind the start cone with a ball ready, watch the repetition in front of them and step in the moment it finishes.

Coach

Stands where the whole picture is visible, serves or calls the start, and makes one clear point per freeze.

Timings and organisation

• -Run 3 rounds of roughly 3 minutes inside the 10 minute slot.
• -Build the intensity round by round and keep everybody moving — no long explanations while players stand still and get cold.
• -Rotate roles at the end of every round so each player works, serves and defends across the practice.
• -If the practice is too easy, move to a progression rather than adding more repetitions. If players are struggling, drop to a regression for one round and then build back up.

Common mistakes

• -Kicking and chasing instead of dribbling
• -Stopping with the ball too far ahead
• -Only using the strong foot
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position