Ball Control Mastery

The aim of the exercise is to develop dribbling skills and the quality of ball touches, as well as to learn and execute different moves and feints.
Special emphasis is placed on visual awareness while dribbling, body orientation, and allowing players to apply technical actions with awareness and proper timing.

Published: 22.05.2025.
Last updated: 05.02.2026.
Category: Soccer Drills - Soccer Dribbling Drills
Hits: 88
Age Age: 10 - 20+
Difficulty Difficulty: 3
Space Space: Reduced
Keeper Keeper: 0
Players Players: 6 - 8
Individual + Team Individual+Team
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Organisation

  • The players are divided into two groups and position themselves opposite each other at the designated starting points, approximately 12–16 meters apart.
  • A mannequin is placed in the centre of the area, around 6–8 meters from the starting positions, serving as a visual reference and decision-making point.
  • In addition, two poles on each side guide the players in shaping the correct dribbling path and movement curve.
  • The target areas, where the players arrive after completing the dribbling action, are marked with small cones.
  • Variations: 2

Description and Graphics

  • Variation 1:

Players start in pairs and dribble toward the central mannequin using a ninety-degree change of direction.
Players execute the predefined turn or feint either directly in front of the mannequin or by going around it.
After the action, they accelerate into the target direction, which becomes the next starting position, keeping the exercise continuous.
​The difficulty of the turns and feints should be increased progressively, and the exercise must always be executed in both directions.

  • Variation 2:

In the second variation, the mannequin is replaced by a passive defender, increasing the realism of the exercise.
This progression allows players to execute turns and feints in a more game-realistic context.
The sequence starts from the starting position with a short give-and-go pass, after which players drive toward the defender to perform the predefined turn or feint.

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