Dribble or Shoot Decision
Teams choose between carrying through a wide gate under control and a grounded finish into a central mini goal as the defensive screen changes.
- 12 min
- 6–12 players
Game · U15
Wide Delivery Choice
A wide ball holder reads two finishing runs and a live defensive screen before selecting a low service route.
- Duration
- 14 min
- Players
- 5–10 (ideal 5)
- Crossing
- Finishing
- Scanning
Setup
Step 1 of 2
One complete 5-player group is shown. Three blue attackers face two red defenders near one secured empty mini goal. Blue 1 holds the ball in a wide upper starting space, with blue 2 offering a nearer central arrival and blue 3 a deeper lower one. Red begins inside and may walk to screen routes.
Coaching points
- Setup: Three blue attackers face two red defenders near one secured empty mini goal. Blue 1 holds the ball in a wide upper starting space, with blue 2 offering a nearer central arrival and blue 3 a deeper lower one. Red begins inside and may walk to screen routes.
- Play: Blue 1 scans the screen and selects a reachable ground cross into the nearer or farther finishing route. A receiver may settle and finish, or return when a shot is covered. A goal following a clear low service earns one; red intercepting a travelling or exposed ball ends the episode. Do not force a cross into an occupied path.
- Reset and rotation: Stop after a goal, regain or ball out. Reset the ball in a wide space, alter the defenders’ initial positions and rotate all five roles each episode. Rest after 45 seconds and mirror the service side; collect only while stopped.
- Numbers: The diagram shows 5 players. With up to 10, use a second complete group in a separate area. Odd spare players rest off the area and rotate into a playing role every 45 seconds; everyone has equal turns.
- Coach focus: Ask the wide player which route gives a teammate room to finish. The receivers should offer different depths and avoid arriving in the same space; crossing choice, not a prescribed one-cross pattern, is the main task.
- Safety: Ground service and placed shots, no goalkeeper, heading, diving, contact or sliding. Defenders walk and intercept exposed or travelling balls only; no tackling at feet or blocking a close shot with the body. Stop if arrivals converge.
Equipment
- Ball · 2 per group, including a spare
- Flat Marker · 1 per group
- Mini Goal · 1 per group
- Flat Marker · 4 per group for field and zone corners, in addition to pictured markers
- Bib · 5 per group; colours match the pictured roles
Progressions
- Easier Red stays still with one clearly open delivery route; allow the receivers to wait at their meeting points.
- Harder Red changes its screen between starts so the wide player re-evaluates both deliveries; retain walking pressure, ground service and a safe return option.
