Five players dribble in the square. The pirate (red) waits outside until the coach says "go".
How to run it
A dribbling game for the youngest. The ball is your treasure and the pirate wants to kick it away. Children practise shielding the ball, seeing space and dribbling away from pressure.
Set-up
A square of about 20 × 20 m. Five players with a ball each inside the square. One player without a ball is the pirate and waits outside. Add pirates for bigger groups.
Instructions
- 1Five players dribble in the square. The pirate (red) waits outside until the coach says "go".
- 2The pirate runs in and goes for the nearest treasure. Everyone keeps dribbling with the ball close.
- 3The player being chased shields the ball with their body and turns away. The pirate picks a new target.
- 4The pirate chases a new player at full speed – look up and dribble towards empty space.
- 5The pirate gets to the ball before the player.
- 6The pirate kicks the ball out of the square and the player runs to fetch it.
- 7Outside the square the player does five toe taps before coming back in.
- 8The player dribbles back into the game. The pirate goes after the next treasure. Change pirate after a minute.
Coaching points
- Show how to put your body between the pirate and the ball – "arms out, back to the pirate".
- Dribble towards empty space, not towards the edge of the square.
- Change pirate often so everyone gets to chase and everyone gets to dribble.
- Nobody is out – everyone plays all the time.
Variations
Easier
The pirate may only walk. Or the pirate just touches the ball instead of kicking it out.
Harder
Two pirates at once. A player who loses the ball also becomes a pirate until all the balls are gone.
Equipment
- 4 × Markers
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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