Rotation Escape Square Dribble

Objective

• -Protect the ball under real pressure
• -Use turns and shielding to escape tight areas
• -Keep the head up in traffic

Setup

1. 1A square with four exit gates, one on each side in a 18 x 18 yards area.
2. 2Number every station so players know exactly where they travel to next.
3. 3Balls for the dribblers, bibs for two ball-thieves.

How to play

1. 1Dribblers keep the ball alive in the square while two thieves try to kick it out.
2. 2A dribbler can escape through any gate and re-enter on the opposite side.
3. 3Thieves swap in every 90 seconds.
4. 4Play starts at station one and the ball works round the numbers in order.
5. 5Every player must complete each role once before the round is scored.

Progressions

• +Reverse the rotation direction on the coach's call
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Hold roles for a full round before rotating
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Rotate only the two hardest roles to give them extra reps
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Dribbling into the busiest corner
• -Panicking and hitting the ball away
• -Staying in a favourite role and avoiding the harder one