Free practice Ball Mastery & Technical
Newcastle Ball Mastery
Watch this drill in the libraryPractice description
Aim
Improve close control and confident execution of dribbling moves before passing to a teammate.
How it works
Players rehearse a chosen take-on against a central mannequin before connecting with the next player. The repeated sequence links controlled dribbling, a skill and a forward pass.
• Dribble towards the central mannequin with the ball under control.
• Perform the pre-set skill as you approach, such as a feint, step-over or body swerve.
• Move beyond the mannequin using a controlled touch into space.
• Pass forward to the next player to continue the sequence.
• The receiving player begins their turn, repeating the chosen movement and passing action.
Improve close control and confident execution of dribbling moves before passing to a teammate.
How it works
Players rehearse a chosen take-on against a central mannequin before connecting with the next player. The repeated sequence links controlled dribbling, a skill and a forward pass.
• Dribble towards the central mannequin with the ball under control.
• Perform the pre-set skill as you approach, such as a feint, step-over or body swerve.
• Move beyond the mannequin using a controlled touch into space.
• Pass forward to the next player to continue the sequence.
• The receiving player begins their turn, repeating the chosen movement and passing action.
Coaching points
• Skill Variety: Encourage players to use a range of moves, such as step-overs, drag-backs, and body feints, to help them become more unpredictable and versatile in 1v1 situations.
• Close Control: Stress the importance of tight ball control when approaching the mannequin, ensuring that the player is able to execute the skill quickly and accurately without losing possession.
• Explosive Movement: Players should focus on making quick, explosive movements after performing the skill to get past the defender or mannequin and create space for the next pass.
• Head Up and Decision Making: Encourage players to keep their heads up as they approach the mannequin so they can read the situation and decide which skill or move will be most effective in that moment.
• Close Control: Stress the importance of tight ball control when approaching the mannequin, ensuring that the player is able to execute the skill quickly and accurately without losing possession.
• Explosive Movement: Players should focus on making quick, explosive movements after performing the skill to get past the defender or mannequin and create space for the next pass.
• Head Up and Decision Making: Encourage players to keep their heads up as they approach the mannequin so they can read the situation and decide which skill or move will be most effective in that moment.
Progression 1
Add a Defender:
Introduce a defender who must attempt to stop the player from completing the skill move. The attacker must now beat the defender to progress, increasing the game realism.
Focus: This progression will help players practice the skills under more realistic pressure, simulating actual game scenarios where they must execute moves while being defended against.
Introduce a defender who must attempt to stop the player from completing the skill move. The attacker must now beat the defender to progress, increasing the game realism.
Focus: This progression will help players practice the skills under more realistic pressure, simulating actual game scenarios where they must execute moves while being defended against.
Progression 2
Multiple Skills in One Take-On:
Require players to perform two or three consecutive skills in one take-on to bypass the mannequin, creating a more challenging and unpredictable scenario.
Focus: This progression encourages players to build a more sophisticated approach to 1v1 situations, improving their creativity and adaptability when taking on opponents.
Require players to perform two or three consecutive skills in one take-on to bypass the mannequin, creating a more challenging and unpredictable scenario.
Focus: This progression encourages players to build a more sophisticated approach to 1v1 situations, improving their creativity and adaptability when taking on opponents.
