Traffic Lights
Every player dribbles in a square and reacts to the coach's call: green go, amber slow toe-taps, red stop with the sole.
- 8 min
- 4–16 players
Game · U14
Protect and Poke
Every player protects their own ball while deciding whether an exposed neighbouring ball can be tapped safely out of the area.
- Duration
- 10 min
- Players
- 4–8 (ideal 4)
- Ball Mastery
- Dribbling
- Scanning
Setup
Step 1 of 2
One complete 4-player group is shown. Four players each have a ball in a spacious rectangle. Start well apart. There are no fixed attackers, defenders or crossing line.
Coaching points
- Setup: Four players each have a ball in a spacious rectangle. Start well apart. There are no fixed attackers, defenders or crossing line.
- Play: Keep your own ball within reach while moving into space. You may tap another ball only when it is clearly away from that player’s feet and you can keep control of your own. One safe tap out earns one; an escaped own ball costs one. No elimination.
- Reset and rotation: Stop all balls before anyone retrieves one. Restart together from separate positions and play another 45-second bout after a rest. Reset scores each bout; all four remain involved.
- Numbers: The diagram shows 4 players. With up to 8, 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: Decide whether to protect, turn away or approach an exposed ball. Withdraw from a challenge when feet are close; keeping your own ball is the priority.
- Safety: No tackling at occupied feet, pushing, shielding contact or sliding. Controlled pace and generous spacing; stop if players bunch together. No punishment exercises.
Equipment
- Ball · 5 per group, including a spare
- Flat Marker · 4 per group for field and zone corners, in addition to pictured markers
- Bib · 4 per group; colours match the pictured roles
Progressions
- Easier Players explore protection without challenging another ball for the first bout.
- Harder Vary the starting positions and try protecting with the less-used foot; do not shrink space or add contact.
