Three pairs, a ball each. The leaders in front, the followers one and a half metres behind their leader.
How to run it
Pairs, each player with a ball. The leader dribbles wherever they like, changes direction and freezes – the follower copies everything from just behind. Then the roles swap. Children practise dribbling with their eyes up, changing direction and stopping under control.
Set-up
A half court. Three pairs, everyone with a ball. The leader (no. 1, 3 and 5) in front, the follower (no. 2, 4 and 6) one and a half metres behind. Each pair keeps to its own part of the court.
Instructions
- 1Three pairs, a ball each. The leaders in front, the followers one and a half metres behind their leader.
- 2"Go!" The leader dribbles off and the follower goes along – the same distance behind all the time.
- 3The leader changes direction. The follower watches the leader, not the ball, and turns in the same place.
- 4Another change of direction. Switch hands when you turn – the ball on the side away from your partner.
- 5The leader speeds up towards the baseline. The follower speeds up too but keeps the gap.
- 6"Freeze!" The leader stops with a jump stop and takes the ball in both hands. The follower does the same.
- 7The leader sets off again in a new direction. The follower sees it straight away and follows.
- 8Swap! The follower turns and becomes the new leader. The old leader follows behind.
- 9The new leader changes direction. The one following keeps their eyes up.
- 10The leader dribbles with their weak hand for a bit. The follower uses the same hand.
- 11On the way back towards the start with small changes of direction.
- 12"Freeze!" Everyone stops with the ball in their hands. Swap roles again after 45 seconds.
Coaching points
- Say "eyes up" often – the follower looks at the leader, not at their own ball.
- Dribble with your fingertips and keep the ball at hip height.
- When you stop: both feet on the floor at the same time (jump stop) and the ball in both hands at your chest.
- Let the leaders invent their own moves – spin, walk backwards or dribble low.
- Change partners now and then so everyone follows someone new.
Variations
Easier
The follower walks without a ball at first, and the leader walks instead of running.
Harder
The follower mirrors the leader (stands in front and does everything the opposite way), or both use their weak hand the whole time.
Use this drill with your team
Add it to a training in SquadSpace, adjust it to your squad and show it to the players in the app – in 2D or 3D.
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