Football Coach Hub FAQs

U8 dribbling and running with the ball

Kit needed: Cones, Balls (1 each), Bibs

1. 1Warm Up8 min

   Traffic lights dribble

   20x20 yard area, a ball each. Coach calls green (dribble fast), amber (slow control), red (stop with sole of foot).

   • Small touches with the laces when travelling
   • Head up between touches to avoid others
   • Stop the ball dead, don't stamp on it
2. 2Technical Practice12 min

   Cone gates dribble

   Scatter 8 two-cone gates. Players dribble through as many gates as they can in 60 seconds, then beat their score.

   • Change direction with the inside and outside of the foot
   • Accelerate out of the gate
   • Choose the emptiest gate — reward decision making
3. 3Skill Practice14 min

   1v1 to a line

   Pairs in a 10x8 yard channel. Attacker tries to dribble over the far line, defender starts passive then live. Rotate after each go.

   • Attack the defender's front foot
   • Use a feint or step-over before the touch
   • Explode into space after beating them
4. 4Small-Sided Game14 min

   4v4 dribble-in goals

   Two 4v4 pitches. A goal counts when a player dribbles the ball over the end line under control.

   • Look for the 1v1 when there is space ahead
   • Support wide to stretch the defenders
   • Recover quickly if you lose it
5. 5Match8 min

   Free play 5v5

   Normal rules, small goals, coach steps back and lets them play.

   • Let mistakes happen
   • Praise attempts to dribble
   • Keep the game flowing
6. 6Cool Down4 min

   Juggle and chat

   Ball each, light toe-taps and juggles while you ask what they learned.

   • Two things they did well
   • One thing to practise at home