Dortmund Ball Mastery

Instructions/Setup:

In this ball mastery drill, every player starts with a ball within their respective grid. Players are tasked with dribbling around the grid unopposed, using a variety of skills, turns, and changes of direction to develop close ball control and agility. This drill helps improve dribbling under different conditions and encourages players to think creatively with the ball.

The coach will blow the whistle at different intervals to add complexity to the drill. Upon a single whistle, players must quickly exchange their ball with another player within their own grid, fostering quick reactions and decision-making. When the coach blows the whistle twice, players must change their ball with someone from the opposite side of the grid, increasing the challenge by involving spatial awareness and coordination with other players.

Coaching Notes:

• Variety of Skills: Encourage players to use a mix of dribbling techniques, including feints, turns, and accelerations, to maintain close control and keep the ball moving.

• Quick Reactions: Players must react quickly to the whistle, developing their ability to make fast decisions and adapt to changing situations.

• Spatial Awareness: When changing balls with a player across the grid, players should be aware of their positioning and the location of others, making sure to execute the exchange efficiently.

• Control Under Pressure: Reinforce the importance of maintaining control of the ball while moving at speed, especially when switching balls or making sudden changes in direction.

Progression 1: Introduce Defensive Pressure:

Add one defender into each grid who will attempt to pressure the ball carrier. The attacker must still change balls at the sound of the whistle while evading the defender.

Focus: Helps players improve their ball control under pressure, simulating more realistic game situations.

Progression 2: Limited Touches per Dribble:

Limit players to only two touches of the ball before they must change direction or pass it to a teammate. This forces quicker thinking and decision-making.

Focus: Encourages faster decision-making and improves players' ability to dribble efficiently under time constraints.