Week 8 · U10
Dribbling & 1v1 attacking
Objectives — what the players will do
- 1Keep the ball close through traffic using both feet
- 2Beat a defender with a named move — step-over, scissors, or Cruyff turn
- 3Change speed right after the move to escape
Play 1 — starts when the second player arrives
Name Game Tag
As players arrive, everyone dribbles a ball inside a big square. Call out a name — that player becomes the tagger and tries to tag others while everyone keeps dribbling. Switch taggers every 30 seconds or so. About 10-15 minutes, no lines, no waiting.
Practice — the one taught activity of the night
Moves, Then Battle Boxes
Start with a fast ball-mastery ladder, everyone on a ball: toe taps, sole rolls, pull-backs — about 60 seconds each, second round at speed. Then teach two named moves — pick from step-over, scissors, and Cruyff turn — with everyone copying on their own ball. Now open the Battle Boxes: small boxes, one duel per box, attacker versus defender, score by stopping the ball on the opponent's line. 45-second rounds, winner stays, new challenger rotates in. The rule that makes it work: you must TRY a move — beating someone with pure speed does not count. Roughly 25-30 minutes.
Drop the defenders and go dribbling-only — moves on a cone at walking pace, both feet, until each move flows without a bobble.
Make it 2v2 in the box, or shrink the box so the move has to be sharp and the change of speed real.
Play 2 — always finish playing the real game
4v4 — Take-On Double
Normal game, but any goal that comes after a player beats a defender 1v1 counts double. Cheer the attempts loudly — bravery is the point tonight. Last 20-25 minutes.
Key coaching points — in your own words
- ·Can you touch the ball every two steps so it never runs away?
- ·Which move are you going to use — can you decide before the defender arrives?
- ·Can you change speed the moment the move is done?
- ·Win your duel — if the first move fails, can you try again straight away?
Tighter boxes, live defenders, and ask for the weaker foot to finish the move.
Back to dribbling-only in bigger spaces — passive or no defenders until every player has landed a move that worked.
Game-day focus — watch for this on Saturday
Count brave dribbles and take-on ATTEMPTS, not wins. A player who tries a turn or a move and loses the ball gets praise, not a groan — that second attempt is the one that works. Striker included: can they take on the last defender?
Message to forward to your parents
Your child is learning to be brave on the ball — close-control dribbling feeding step-overs, scissors, and Cruyff turns. Encourage the moves in the yard, and cheer the attempt on Saturday even when it does not come off.
This week's two videos
Prep the night before; copy the activity on the field.
5 Dribbling Trick Moves (includes Maradona, Cruyff, Rivelino) | Advanced Soccer Skills by MOJO
Watch the night before to understand the idea
The week 2 moves catalog: five named moves with clean demonstrations built for kids. Teach two, let players choose their favorite, and demand they show it in the 1v1 games — See it, Solve it, Show it. Named moves give brave players a plan instead of a panic.
Watch on YouTubeTake your session to the next level with these new Battle Boxes!
A drill you can copy on the field
Battle Boxes are the week 3 Challenge stage in a bottle — small-area duels where players fight to win their 1v1 over and over. This is Win your duel made literal for U10s. Rotate matchups so everyone duels someone new each round.
Watch on YouTube