Dribble Around Cone & Pass Relay Race

A soccer dribbling and passing drill.

Summary:
Divide into teams with 2 players per team. (It's okay if one of the teams has an extra player, or a parent can play). Players race around a "Turning Cone" that is about 6 to 15 steps from the "Starting Cone" and the dribbler can pass to the waiting teammate as soon as the he goes around the "Turning Cone". One point for each completed pass. This is a good game to play right after "Dribble Across A Square", because you can use the cones that are already on the ground.

Teaches:
Speed dribbling (aka "Running With The Ball"), turning, passing and receiving at "Game Speed" and while under pressure. It also teaches the Passer how to kick the soccer ball while running and under pressure, to pass quickly after having made a turn, and that the Passer should quickly move after making a pass (and not stand still, so it helps teach the concept of "Movement Off The Ball", as opposed to making a pass and just standing there). It also teaches Receivers that they must anticipate the pass and be alert and move to the ball, instead of waiting for the soccer ball to come straight to their feet (this is a common mistake young players make - they wait for the ball to come to them, instead of going to the ball - in this Practice Game they will learn to watch for the pass and anticipate it's direction and move to the ball - if they don't, they will lose the game, because there will be bad passes and the receivers that stop those bad passes or run to the weak passes will win the game). You can also teach Receivers to come to slow or short passes (so they get to the ball quickly), and to one-touch block the pass in front of them as a way to go faster. The game also teaches the Passer that proper "weight" of the pass is very important (the pass can't be too hard or too slow).
Set-up:

1. Divide the players into teams of 2 soccer players each. It's okay if one of the teams has an extra player (or a parent can play). Try to balance the teams so they have equal ability. After each game or two, you can change the teams.

2. Each team has one soccer ball.

3. Use cones to make a "Starting Cone" and a "Turning Cone" for each team. Put the "Turning Cone" 6-15 adult steps away from the Starting Cone, as shown below. The distance you put the cones apart will depend on the age and ability of the players. Example, for U-10 Rec, put the cones about 8 adult steps apart. Put 4 to 6 adult steps between each pair of cones, so players have room to make a bad pass without getting in the adjacent team's way.

4. Line each team up beside the Right Side of their Starting Cone, so all the teams are turning in the same direction (to the left).

5. After each game, have the teams start beside the Left Side of the Starting Cones, so in the 2nd game they are turning to the right.

6. After the teams have played 2 games (one turning left and one turning right), you can change the teams so they are more competitive or just for fun. Another good reason to change is that players need to get used to receiving other player's passes.

7. First to 8 wins (This is an intense game. Another reason to only play to 8 is that if one team makes a really bad pass, they will probably not be able to catch up). I think it's better to play to 8 twice and then switch up teams and play twice again than to only play twice to "10".

8. Teams get one point for each completed pass (define a completed pass as when the receiver touches the soccer ball).

The Game:

1. Start by lining each team up beside the Right Side of their Starting Cone, so all the teams are turning in the same direction (to the left).

2. On "Go", the first player in each line dribbles to the "Turning Cone", turns around it and passes to his teammate as soon possible. Encourage the passer to make an accurate pass (one bad pass can lose the game). The pass must be accurate and have proper "weight" (not too hard and not too slow). The receiver can run toward the pass once it is made (but not before) as a way to go faster (encourage this - in a game, this will keep the opponent from stealing the ball, and will train the receiver to GO TO THE PASS instead of waiting for the pass to hit her in the feet. Once they are playing well, teach the receiver to block the ball in front of him (one-touch) so he can go faster - this is also a good game skill.

3. The "passer" then goes to the Starting Cone and becomes the Receiver.

4. The "receiver" (who now has the ball) then dribbles around the cone (around the correct side - for example, making a left turn) and passes to her waiting teammate.

5. If a team makes an inaccurate pass, the receiver must run after the soccer ball and doesn't get a point until she touches the ball. One really bad pass can cause a team to lose the game.

6. After each game, have the teams start beside the Left Side of the Starting Cones, so in the 2nd game they are turning to the right.

7. After the teams have played 2 games (one turning left and one turning right), you can change the teams so they are more competitive or just for fun. Another good reason to change is that players need to get used to receiving other player's passes.

8. First to 8 wins (This is an intense game. Another reason to only play to 8 is that if one team makes a really bad pass, they will probably not be able to catch up). I think it's better to play to 8 twice and then switch up teams and play twice again than to only play twice to "10".

9. Teams get one point for each completed pass (define a completed pass as when the receiver touches the soccer ball).

Scoring:
First team to 8 wins

Note:
The passing part of this may be too hard for U-6. If so, just have them dribble around the Turning Cone back to their teammate who then takes the soccer ball.

Article Source: http://www.sportspracticedrills.com

This soccer practice drill provided by: www.soccerhelp.com

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