Football · Dribbling & 1v1 · Warm-up

Ball mastery: sole taps and rolls

Every player has a ball and copies the coach's sole taps, rolls and stops, then plays a quick freeze game.

CP1P2P3P4
Start / 4
Time
10 min
Players
4–16
Age
U6+
Area
15 × 15 m
Equipment
4 cones16 balls (one each)

Setup

  1. Mark a 15 × 15 m square with four cones.
  2. Every player has a ball and finds their own space, facing the coach.

How it runs

  1. The coach shows a move and everyone copies it for 30 seconds - sole taps, sole rolls side to side, pull-backs.
  2. On "Go!", everyone dribbles around the square.
  3. On "Freeze!", stop the ball with the sole and look at the coach for the next move.
  4. Play 6 to 8 short rounds, adding a new move every round or two.

Coaching points

  • Light touches on top of the ball; stay on your toes.
  • Use both feet - left, right, left, right.
  • Eyes up between touches so you can see the coach.

Common mistakes

  • Stamping on the ball and losing balance.
  • Only using the strong foot.

Say it: “Light feet. Soles on top. Eyes up.”

Make it harder

  • Count your sole taps in 20 seconds and try to beat your score.
  • The coach calls numbers instead of names - 1 taps, 2 rolls, 3 pull-back.

Make it easier

  • Slow taps, one each time the coach claps.
  • Keep the ball still and just touch the top with each sole in turn.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.