Week 18

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble using alternating inside-of-foot touches.
• ✓Players can keep the ball within one step while dribbling slowly.
• ✓Players can use inside-of-foot touches to move the ball sideways.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 12 cones
• 2 speed ladders (optional)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Grid with one ball each. A few cones in a maze pattern.

   How to run it: Players arrive and try to dribble through the cone maze using only the inside of their feet — that arch on the side of your shoe.

   • ›Show your own inside arch: 'This part — the flat inside!'
   • ›Don't correct too much — let them feel it.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Inside Tag

   8m

   Set up: All players dribble in the grid.

   How to run it: Everyone dribbles using ONLY the inside of their feet. If the ball touches your laces or outside, do 3 inside-touches on the spot as a 'reset'. Play for 2 minutes — this is not tag, just a quality challenge.

   • ›Slow down to get the feel — inside touches require less pace.
   • ›Knees slightly bent, foot turns outward.
   • ›Praise players who slow down — control over speed here.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Slalom City

   12m

   Set up: Set up three slalom lines of 5 cones each (cones 1.5 yards apart). Three lanes side by side.

   How to run it: Players dribble through their slalom using inside-of-foot touches only, weaving left cone = left inside foot, right cone = right inside foot. Go twice, then try swapping lanes.

   • ›Slow is fine — the touch pattern is the skill.
   • ›Alternate feet: left, right, left, right.
   • ›Let players race their own time, not each other.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 3v3 Jungle Path

   15m

   Set up: Two 3v3 games. Place 4 cones in the middle of each pitch creating a narrow channel (2 yards wide) teams must dribble through to score.

   How to run it: Play 3v3. To score, the ball carrier must dribble through the narrow jungle path using inside-foot control before shooting/rolling the ball into goal.

   • ›Path forces slow, precise inside touches.
   • ›Defenders cannot enter the path — it is a skill zone.
   • ›Attackers: look up after the path — then finish!

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Seated circle, shoes off briefly (optional fun).

   How to run it: Point to the inside arch of your foot — that's the magic inside. Do 5 inside-of-foot rolls left, 5 right, seated. Put shoes back on and high-five.

   • ›Use the name: 'inside of the foot'.
   • ›Connect it to next week: 'Soon you'll combine inside and outside!'

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble with inside touches under light pressure.
• ✓Players can use inside-foot touches to change direction.
• ✓Players can string multiple inside touches together fluently.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 8 cones
• 4 pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Grid, one ball per player.

   How to run it: Free dribble — but inside-of-foot only. Players set their own challenge: how slowly can you dribble and still keep the ball?

   • ›Slow control is a real skill — celebrate it.
   • ›Watch for players who naturally alternate feet.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Mirror Dribble

   8m

   Set up: Partners face each other 2 yards apart, each with a ball.

   How to run it: One player is the Mirror — they copy every move of the Leader using inside touches only. After 40 seconds switch. Progress: both players move simultaneously trying to stay mirrored.

   • ›Keep close — tiny inside touches.
   • ›Leaders: don't go too fast; make it achievable for your Mirror.
   • ›This builds head-up dribbling naturally.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Inside Rondo

   12m

   Set up: Groups of 4-5 in a 6x6 cone box. One player in the middle without a ball.

   How to run it: Outside players pass the ball around using inside-of-foot touches — no kicking hard. Middle player tries to touch the ball. If they touch it, swap with the last passer.

   • ›Passes: gentle inside roll, not a kick.
   • ›Move to create a good passing angle.
   • ›Middle player: read the pass before it happens.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 4v4 Keep-Away

   15m

   Set up: One 20x15 yard game, 4v4. No goals — instead award a point for 5 consecutive inside-of-foot passes.

   How to run it: Play 4v4 keep-away. Count passes aloud. If you reach 5, the team gets a point and the other team starts with the ball. First to 5 points wins.

   • ›Spread out — make the space big for your team.
   • ›Control first, then pass — don't rush.
   • ›Celebrate the 5-pass sequences loudly.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Seated circle.

   How to run it: Roll the ball back and forth to a partner using ONLY inside of foot — no looking down for the last 5 rolls. Name the skill out loud: 'Inside of foot!'

   • ›End session positively — name one player who really nailed it today.
   • ›Homework preview.