Underload 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 16 x 16 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat cone.
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 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.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Heavy touches that push the ball away
• -Eyes locked on the ball
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early