Equipment Needed
- One ball per player
Every player needs their own ball
A multi-pack of training soccer balls means no one is standing around waiting to join in.
Shop Soccer Balls on Amazon As an Amazon Associate, FreeCoachingDrills.com earns from qualifying purchases.Setup
- Players line up on one end line, each with a ball; coach stands at the far end.
- Leave open space between the line and the coach.
Instructions
- On "green light," players dribble forward toward the coach using small touches.
- On "red light," players stop the ball dead under their foot immediately.
- Any player who can't stop the ball in time takes a small step back.
- First player to reach the coach's line wins the round, then restart.
Coaching Points
- Small, controlled touches move the ball forward better than big kicks in this game.
- Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot is the key skill — demonstrate it clearly.
- Keep the tone fun and low-pressure; this is about first-touch habits, not competition stress.
- Vary how long you wait between calls to keep players' attention sharp.
Variation
Add "yellow light" for a slow-motion dribble, or call out which foot only can be used.