The Soccer Gauntlet

Chris Johnson 124,745 Views Rating 3.62 (39 Reviews)

The primary focus of THE SOCCER GAUNTLET is centered around proper dribbling technique in traffic which requires vision and awareness.

Soccer Drill Diagram: The Soccer Gauntlet

Soccer Gauntlet Soccer Dribbling Drill

The primary focus of THE SOCCER GAUNTLET is centered around good dribbling technique in traffic which requires vision and awareness.
Drill Setup

  1. Create a grid approximately 20x15 yard.
  2. Instruct one defender to stand inside the grid without a ball.
  3. The remaining players will start on the end line with a ball.
Drill Instructions

  1. On the coaches command, all of the attacking players dribble at speed to the other sideline avoiding the defender.
  2. If the defender wins the ball and kicks the ball out of the grid, that attacker becomes an additional defender (without a ball) on the next series.
  3. The last player to make it through the gauntlet wins the game.
Drill Variations

  • Limit the foot the attacker can dribble with (the right foot, the left foot, and the bottom of the foot).
Drill Coaching Points

  • Keep the ball close to the dribbler
  • Stay in control of your body and ball
  • Keep your eyes up to avoid pressure
  • Dribble into space avoiding pressure
  • Dribble with speed when in open space
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