Underload Figure Eight Mastery

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 14 x 8 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat 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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Common mistakes

• -Slowing to a walk around the poles
• -Only using the strong foot
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early