Ball Mastery

Tempo Figure Eight Mastery

Develop close control through continuous direction change

Ball Mastery
Dribbling
Premium

Tempo Figure Eight Mastery is a 10-minute ball mastery drill for 2-16 players, suitable for Under 5 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, poles. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

Back to drill library
Ball Mastery
Dribbling
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Agility Kit
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Tempo

Duration

10 min

Players

2-16

Pitch size

18 x 12 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

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 18 x 12 yards area.
  2. 2Set a visible timer or have an assistant count aloud from the side of the area.
  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 clock starts the moment the first pass is played in.
  5. 5The sequence must reach the end action inside eight seconds or the rep is void.

Coaching points

  • -Ball stays inside the frame of the body
  • -Outside foot on the way out of the turn
  • -Accelerate after the turn
  • -Pass with pace and intent — under-hit passes cost the clock

Common mistakes

  • -Slowing to a walk around the poles
  • -Only using the strong foot
  • -Slow, sideways passing that burns the clock

Where this drill fits

Build a session with this drill

Related drills