A player dribbles with the ball while being challenged.

Session

Turning and dribbling session: turning and moving with the ball masterclass

Session

England Football Learning

2 mins - Oct 7, 2024

Session intentions

This is week six of the turning and dribbling session programme for 12-16s. Check out the whole six-week programme here.

The session aims to improve players' technical mastery of dribbling and turning. They will gain an understanding of using these skills in a game context.

It will help players:

turn and dribble under pressure
improve reaction time and decision-making
enhance creativity and confidence through game-like conditions.

If you like this idea, download the session plan and give it a go. And don't forget to share your experience on the England Football Community. We'd love to know how you got on.

Session setup

In our example, this is what we’ve used to set up this session. But adapt it to suit your team and the space available to you.

One pitch

13 players

Flat cones

Bibs

Turning and moving with the ball masterclass

The arrival activity is a 1v1 in a square area with two mini-goals in opposite corners. The ball is played from one player to the other. The player who receives the ball then aims to get around the opposing player and score.
Remove the two mini-goals in the corners and add a goal to one of the sides. Have a 2v2 in this area now with one team having a feeder. The feeder plays in the ball. The coach shouts a type of turn, such as "Cruyff turn". The in-possession team then has to replicate that turn.
Move the session forward by marking out a zone vertically through the area. Have a goal at one end of the zone. Have a 2v1 in this area with a goalkeeper in the net. The aim is to turn around the one defender to score past the goalkeeper.
Move to half of a full pitch with one goal. Mark out a funnel leading into the goal with two goals in each corner of the opposite side. Split into teams with one goalkeeper. The team without the goalkeeper starts and looks to play the ball. Play a regular game looking to dribble or turn to score.

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Tactics board

Looking for a bit more detail? Check out Zahid's tactics board video for this session.

How to make it easier

Using the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002) can help keep things fun, engaging, and appropriate. For this session, an example would be to make the area bigger to give your players more room to run with the ball. Adding overloads for the attacking team will also help make the practice easier.

How to make it harder

In the arrival activity, you could make it more difficult by adding an extra defender in the area with the gates.

You could progress the second activity by creating overloads and underloads in the two different sections of the pitch.

Try making the areas smaller and underload the attacking team to help the defenders more.

Coaching points

Stress the importance of being comfortable dribbling with both feet to maximize versatility. This will help minimize opponents' predictability.

Teach players to use subtle body movements and feints to deceive defenders. This will help them to create space and advance with the ball.

Show players how to use their bodies to protect the ball from defenders. Show them how to use their arms and body positioning to maintain possession under pressure.