Counter Sole Roll Grid

Objective

• -Build sole and inside-foot control in a busy space
• -Grow confidence manipulating the ball with both feet
• -Turn ball mastery reps into usable game actions

Setup

1. 1A grid of cones two yards apart in a 24 x 24 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3One ball per player, spare balls on the coach's cone.

How to play

1. 1Players work through sole rolls, drag-backs and toe taps between the cones.
2. 2On the coach's call they perform the move and accelerate into free space.
3. 3Repeat with the weaker foot leading every second round.
4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Progressions

• +Counter must be finished inside five seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Award the counter goal for simply carrying over halfway
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Swap the counter goals for a dribble-through gate
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Heavy touches that push the ball away
• -Eyes locked on the ball
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on