Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing

Through a simple sequence of control-dribble-pass, this exercise, ideal for warm-up, allows players to work on the basics while staying in motion.

Set up 4 gates about 10m apart from each other so they roughly form a square. Place 4 cones in a diamond shape after the 1st and 3rd gates. Place 1 cone between the 2nd and 3rd gates and 1 cone between the 4th and 1st (see animation).

The warm-up exercise proceeds as follows:

The player dribbles the ball through the course and makes a pass at the exit of the 4 cones to another player positioned at the 2nd gate.
The latter controls the ball, continues the course through the 3rd gate, and makes a pass just after the 4 cones to another player waiting at the 4th gate.
The drill continues in the same manner afterward.

Variation: to develop this warm-up exercise, you will ask your players to continue their run after exiting the slalom while dribbling to pass through the gate, then make a pass into the path of their teammate (see animation below).

Variation: dribbling to the gate then pass into the run

Emphasize the precision of the 2 successive sequences dribble-pass and pass-control. Don't forget to remind your players that the ball must be struck and not pushed when making the pass. It is at a young age that players will develop their basic technical skills.