Zig-Zag Dribbling Drill
Players dribble around the outside of a 20-yard zig-zag of cones, sprint the course's distance home — and then the rules start deciding which foot rolls the ball.
The zig-zag works dribbling with speed off the inside, the outside, and the sole of the foot — every cut trains a different surface.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones for the course and a ball for every player.
- Build: Set cones about 5 yards apart in a zig-zag pattern stretching about 20 yards.
- Place: The players line up at the last cone with a ball each.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Dribbling with speed with the inside of the foot, the outside of the foot, and the sole — controlled touches kept near the dribbler.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Dribble the zig-zag around the outside of the cones, sprint the course's distance back to the line — and each round adds a new rule for which surface of the foot moves the ball.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Line everyone up at the last cone with a ball each — the first player in line runs the course.
Coach says
Line up right here, ball each — you're weaving the cones, then sprinting home.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the course — dribble around the outside of the cones in the zig-zag pattern; at the end, sprint the distance of the course and return to the line. Give them a few runs through to get comfortable with their touch.
Coach says
Weave it — outside the cones, all the way down. Then sprint home and get back in line!
3Play▾
Coach does
Start layering the rules — moving to the right, they dribble normally; moving to the left, they roll the ball with the sole of the right foot. Then flip the pattern — normal going left, rolling with the sole of the left foot going right.
Coach says
New rule — going left, roll it with your right sole! ... Now flip it!
Look for: Controlled touches staying near the dribbler — inside, outside, and sole all doing work.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Keep the line cycling. For later rounds, add dribbling skills — a complete circle around each cone, or moving the ball through the whole pattern with the sole of the foot only.
Coach says
This time, a full circle around every cone — don't lose it!
If it's not working
If the course keeps winning — the ball ricocheting off every cone — slide the cones a couple of steps farther apart while the line keeps moving, then walk them back in.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Harder: Dribble a complete circle around each cone — or take the whole pattern with the sole of the foot only.