Lesson 3 - Dribbling and Close Control
Football Fundamentals & Skills
•Year 8
•Football
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How can we use dribbling skills and close control to create attacking opportunities and outwit defenders in football?
Learning Objectives
- To perform basic dribbling techniques with control and precision
- To outwit opponents using disguise, feints and changes of pace/direction
- To apply dribbling skills effectively in small-sided games making tactical decisions
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate controlled dribbling with appropriate timing
- Students will successfully beat defenders using taught techniques
- Students will make effective decisions about when to dribble versus pass in game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around pitch perimeter before lesson
Alternative: Size 4 balls for better control, futsal balls for enhanced touch
Sorted by colour ready for team games
Alternative: Coloured bands or pinnies
Used to mark grid squares and target areas
Alternative: Cones or chalk lines
Positioned at ends of practice areas
Alternative: Cones set 2 metres apart
Various colours for different activities
Alternative: Marker discs or chalk marks
Clipboards ready for peer and self-assessment
Alternative: Digital assessment app or observation cards
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball forward while maintaining close control using small touches
Keeping the ball within playing distance to maintain possession
A deceptive movement to mislead an opponent about intended direction
Hiding true intentions through body language and ball manipulation
Varying speed of movement to unbalance defenders
Two attackers working together against one defender
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with inside and outside of foot
- Simple running with the ball
- Understanding of football rules and boundaries
Current Skills
- Close control dribbling techniques
- Using feints and disguise to beat defenders
- Decision making in 1v1 and 2v1 situations
Next Steps
- Combination play linking dribbling with passing
- Advanced skills like stepovers and turns
- Tactical awareness in larger game formats
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Close control is achieved through small, frequent touches using inside and outside of both feet
- Slow approach to defenders allows for better control and decision-making opportunities
- Feints and disguise work best when combined with change of pace and direction
- Creating 2v1 situations gives attackers numerical advantage and better success chances
- Ball out of feet technique is crucial when space becomes available for acceleration
- Decision-making between dribbling and passing depends on defensive positioning and support options
- Positive attitude and resilience are essential when facing defensive pressure and skill challenges
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Faster dribbling is always better. Reality: Control and timing are more important than speed
- Misconception: Only use dominant foot for dribbling. Reality: Both feet must be developed for effective disguise
- Misconception: Always try to beat every defender. Reality: Sometimes passing is the better tactical choice
- Misconception: Fancy skills are most important. Reality: Simple, well-executed techniques are most effective
- Misconception: Individual brilliance wins games. Reality: Team coordination and 2v1 situations create better opportunities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear visual boundaries, offer choice in roles and responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment initially, reduce activity complexity, provide extra practice time, offer verbal rehearsal of movement patterns
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedules, establish consistent routines, offer quiet zones for breaks, use social stories for game rules and expectations
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and cones, provide clear verbal descriptions of activities, implement buddy system for guidance, use tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations extensively, implement hand signals for key instructions, provide written activity cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Offer seated dribbling variations, modify distances and pace, provide larger/softer balls for easier control, adapt goals and targets as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Technical vocabulary development, communication skills during team work, descriptive language for movement analysis
Maths
Calculating success rates in percentage, measuring distances for practice areas, understanding angles of movement and ball direction
Science
Forces and motion in ball control, friction between boot and ball, balance and centre of gravity during movements
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of directions and coordinates in game situations
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, respect and fair play, leadership development
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at corner of activity area for maximum visibility, move to support struggling students
Observation Focus
Watch for technique development, decision-making quality, and safety compliance
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggling with technique, safety concerns arise, or behaviour needs correction
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for technique demonstration, involve confident students in showing skills, provide positive examples rather than highlighting mistakes
Verbal Cues
- •'Slow in, quick out!' for approach technique
- •'Ball close, head up!' for control reminders
- •'Trust your skills!' for confidence building
- •'Work together!' for team cooperation
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 40m x 30m for full lesson, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even grass or artificial surface free from holes, glass and debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated and undamaged
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify goals are stable and securely positioned
- •Check bibs are clean and undamaged
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during dribbling practice
- •Slips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces
- •Ball strikes to face or body during games
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with adequate spacing
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Emphasis on control over speed in early practices
- •Appropriate supervision ratios maintained
- •Weather conditions assessed before outdoor activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas like goal mouths
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
- •Ensure fair play and appropriate contact levels
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required, inform school leadership