The Coaches' Room
3v3•U7•In Possession

If one U7 dribbles nearly every time, is that actually a problem?

Asked by BlackCoffee
2778 views 3 replies
Watching our first few 3v3 games, one lad gets the ball and his first thought is basically always to run with it. He probably passes once or twice a game. A few adults are already saying he needs to learn to release it, but in such a small game I am not convinced I want anyone shouting pass at a six-year-old who is brave enough to take people on. At what point would you actually start helping him see teammates rather than just letting him explore it?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

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@CoachTomW

UEFA C Coach

Attacking • technical development

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I would protect that instinct to dribble. At six, being confident enough to receive the ball and attack somebody is a brilliant starting point. I would not solve it by shouting “pass” every time a teammate becomes free. What I would start adding is what he sees after the first action. If he beats one player and the next defender comes across, can he notice that somebody else may now be free? Small 2v1s are great for this because he can still dribble, but the game naturally gives him a reason to use a teammate. You can also ask him afterwards, “what did you see when the second player came over?” rather than telling him the answer during the run. Keep the bravery. You are just helping him add another choice to it.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 3 replies

S

Sully

Coach

Do people praise the pass when it comes after the dribble, or just leave it? We have one who has started finding the free player more but I dont want him thinking the pass is somehow the 'better' choice every time.
G

GreyHoodie

Parent

My son was the dribbler who got 'pass!' shouted at him every time he had it. He ended up looking sideways before he even tried to beat anyone. Took a while to get that confidence back. I would be really careful about making the brave bit sound like the problem.
O

Olivia1996

Assistant Coach

We stopped saying pass completely for a few weeks. Used 2v1 instead and asked afterwards what they saw. The passes started appearing without us killing the dribbling.

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