Description
A fun, competitive drill where players try to "capture" balls and bring it back to their own home base without losing possession. The drill develops dribbling, shielding, quick changes of direction, tackling, awareness, and transition reactions.
Set up one home base for each team, with a group of 8-16 balls (depending on the number of players) placed in the middle. On the coach’s signal, players run to collect balls and bring them back to their own base. Players may also steal balls from opponents’ bases and bring them to their own. The team with the most balls in their base when time runs out wins.
Works well with 2–4 teams and can be played in short rounds of 60–120 seconds.
Coaching Points
- Keep the ball close when under pressure.
- Use changes of speed and direction to escape.
- Encourage players to look up while dribbling to spot open balls and see if defenders are chasing them.
- Shield the ball with the body between opponent and ball.
- Look up before dribbling into space.
- Accelerate after beating a defender.
- If the rules allow, encourage kids to pass the ball back to their home base or to a teammate to move faster.
Progressions and variations
- Players can only steal loose balls, not tackle. This makes it easier for younger or less confident players.
- Players must dribble through a gate before returning to their base. This encourages scanning and directional control.
- Players may pass to teammates after capturing the ball. This adds support play and communication.