Overload Figure Eight Mastery

Pitch diagram

Objectives

• -Develop close control through continuous direction change
• -Link ball manipulation to a change of pace
• -Repeat quality touches with both feet

Setup

1. 1Two poles eight yards apart with a figure-eight route marked around them in a 20 x 14 yards area.
2. 2Split the group so the attacking side always has one spare player, and park the spare bibs on the halfway cone.
3. 3A ball each and a rest cone at the start of the route.

Coaching instructions

1. 1Players dribble the figure-eight using inside and outside of the foot only.
2. 2Each lap finishes with an explosive three-yard burst out of the last turn.
3. 3Swap the leading foot every lap.
4. 4The spare player joins whichever side has the ball, so the attack always works with a plus-one.
5. 5A goal or completed end action counts double if the spare player touched the ball in the build-up.

Common mistakes

• -Slowing to a walk around the poles
• -Only using the strong foot
• -Spare player standing still instead of offering an angle