Dribbling and Passing Warm-up
Dribble out, cut it back, backpedal deeper, then take the long ball with one touch and send it home — and the next player runs the same loop.
A great start to a dribbling or passing session — it quickly gets the blood pumping and players' legs warm.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones for the grids and starting cones, and balls.
- Build: Build an 8-by-8 grid about 8 yards off the sideline for each group of 3 to 4, with a starting cone on the sideline aligned with the center of its box.
- Place: A group of 3 to 4 players lined up at each starting cone, the first player in line with the ball.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Dribbling and passing on the move — cutting the ball, quick passes, communication, good touches on receiving, and fluid movement.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Dribble to the first cones, cut it, pass back, backpedal to the next cones, take the long ball with a touch and return it — then the next player runs the loop.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Split the team into groups of 3 to 4, one grid each, lined up behind the starting cone on the sideline with the first player on the ball.
Coach says
Threes and fours — own your grid. First one in line, the ball is yours.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the loop — the first player dribbles to the first set of cones, cuts the ball, and returns it to the next player in line; the working player then backpedals to the next set of cones, takes the ball played back to them with a touch, and returns it to the next player waiting. Then the next player repeats the same steps.
Coach says
Dribble, cut, give it back. Backpedal deep — the long ball's coming. One touch, send it home, next player goes.
3Play▾
Coach does
Keep the loops rolling in every grid. Emphasize communication, quick passes, good touches on receiving the ball, and fluid movement.
Coach says
Talk to each other! Quick passes — soft first touch!
Look for: Good touches on the receive — the long ball controlled cleanly and returned inside fluid movement.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Repeat for 7 to 8 minutes or until players are warmed up. For a twist, take the first dribble to the farthest cones and add a move along the way — a step-over, a body feint — or serve the long ball as a throw-in to focus on trapping and receiving those balls.
Coach says
This round, add a move at the cones — step-over, feint, your pick. Long balls are throw-ins now!
If it's not working
If the loop keeps tangling, freeze it and ask — where does the ball go after the cut? Let them answer, then play on.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.