Football Technique | Run the Gauntlet
Suitable for players aged 7-8 years
SETUP
- Create an area 25m x 15m. Divide the area up further by placing cones down 2 opposite sides
- Divide the players into ‘shooters’ (blue) and ‘targets’ (red)
- Assign the ‘shooters’, in pairs, to a section of the area. Each pair shares one ball
- Give the ‘targets’ one ball each
HOW TO PLAY
- The ‘shooters’ line up vertically at intervals either side of the area
- The ‘targets’ line up a with a ball each at the start of the area
- On your signal, the first ‘target’ tries to dribble past the first pair. The first pair of ‘shooters’ tries to hit the ‘targets’ ball by passing their ball
- If the ‘targets’ ball gets hit they must start again from the back of the line
- If the ‘target’ passes the first pair the next in line starts as the first ‘target’ continues toward the end
- The ‘shooters’ get a point for each hit, and the ‘target’s get two turns each
PROGRESSION
Basic: Change the part of the foot used to dribble
Intermediate: Players can only pass the ball at the ‘target’ with their non-dominant foot
OUTCOMES
- Dribbling and changing direction with close ball control
- Keeping head up for awareness of space and other players while dribbling
- Timing and accuracy of passing