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Dribble Slalom

Players weave the ball in and out of a line of poles with small touches, turn at the top and dribble back. Simple, high-repetition close control.

Young (U5 to U8)Mid (U9 to U13)Dribbling & 1v1Ball mastery

Created by Danny Jordan

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In play

The setup

Dribble Slalom diagram

Step by step

1
Weave through
Dribble the ball in and out of the poles with small touches, using both feet and keeping it close.
2
Next player goes
Turn at the top pole, dribble back down the outside, and hand over to the next player in the line.
Age group
Young (U5 to U8), Mid (U9 to U13)
Duration
10 to 15 min
Players
4 or more, split across lanes
Area
A 10m lane per group, poles about 1.5m apart
Equipment
4 or 5 slalom poles (or tall cones) per lane, a ball each
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial

Objective

Close control at pace, using both feet to move the ball around obstacles while keeping the head up.

Coaching points

  • Small, frequent touches with the inside and outside of the foot
  • Use both feet, not just the stronger one
  • Head up between poles to see where the next one is
  • Push the ball into the space, then get your body round the pole

Progressions

  • Set up two lanes and race, but only a clean run counts
  • Widen the poles for the youngest, tighten them to make it harder
  • Left foot only, then right foot only
  • Add a shot on goal at the end of the slalom
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