Soccer Dribbling Drill
Knockout
Everyone dribbles in a grid, protects their own ball and tries to knock the others out. Ball out? 10 toe taps and jump right back in.
Step 1 of 7
Everyone has a ball and plays for themselves. Watch 1. The red players are all the others.
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- 4–10
- Ages
- 6–12U7–U13
- Pace
- Intense
Works on
- Ball control
- Wins the ball
Set up
- Mark a 20 x 20 yard grid with 4 cones.
- Every player has a ball and starts inside the grid.
- With more than 12 players, make two grids so everyone gets more touches.
- Space
- 20 x 20 yards, shrinking to about 12 x 12
- You need
- 4 cones for the grid · 1 ball per player · A watch or phone timer
How to play
- On go, everyone dribbles around the grid with the ball close.
- Keep your own ball safe and try to knock other balls out of the grid.
- If your ball goes out, get it, do 10 toe taps (tap the top of the ball with your left and right sole) and dribble straight back in. Nobody sits out.
- Play rounds of 60 to 90 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds.
- After each round, move the cones in a few steps so the grid gets smaller and busier.
Coaching points
- Head up: look for open space and for players coming at you.
- Small touches keep the ball close so you can turn away fast.
- Shield: put your body between the player and your ball. Use your body, not your hands.
- Only go for another ball when your own ball is close and safe.
- Poke the ball, never the player, and stay on your feet.
Easier
Use a bigger grid. Or start with only 2 or 3 players (or the coach) trying to knock balls out while everyone else just dribbles and protects.
Harder
Shrink the grid faster, or play a round where everyone may only touch the ball with their weaker foot.
Run it at your next practice
With a free account, put Knockout in a practice plan with its minutes and water breaks. At the field the clock moves on to the next drill by itself.