Day 7 — Dribble Like France: Speed, Power & End Product
Attack space with speed and turn 1v1 moments into chances.
French football is about speed, power and turning 1v1 moments into chances. Today we dribble with purpose, attack space and produce an end product.
- 1First touch forward
- 2Change pace to beat the defender
- 3Use your body to protect the ball
- 4Attack the defender with courage
- 5Finish the action with an end product
Move Library
Take your first touch past the defender, not into space you already own.
- Receive on the half-turn
- Touch in the direction you want to go
- Attack the defender immediately
Slow to fast — lull the defender, then explode past them.
- Approach at a controlled pace
- Sell the fake with your body
- Accelerate past the defender
Beating your man is only the start — finish with a shot, cross or pass.
- Head up after beating the defender
- Decide: shoot, pass or cross
- Don't over-dribble — deliver
How to Win
Receive and immediately attack the space ahead.
Use a change of pace or body feint to go past.
Shoot, cross or pass — make the dribble count.
Golden Rule
Speed and power win 1v1s — but only if you have an end product. Beat your man, then make it count.
Skill Steps
Build — Beat a defender 1v1
Use a change of pace to beat a defender and keep the ball.
Stretch — Dribble to create a chance
Beat your man and produce a shot or cross within 3 seconds.
Pro — End product every time
Every successful dribble ends with a shot, cross or key pass.
Parents Corner
Dribbling with speed, 1v1 bravery and turning beats into chances.
- First touch forward, not sideways
- Change of pace to beat defenders
- End product after beating a man
- Taking players on with courage
- Changing pace to beat their man
- Looking up after beating a defender
- Producing a shot or pass after dribbling
Set up a line of cones and dribble through them at speed. Time yourself — then try to beat your time. Focus on keeping the ball close and changing pace.
Home Challenge
Dribble through 5 cones as fast as you can, then finish with a pass or shot.
Steps:
Set up 5 cones in a line
Dribble through them at speed
Finish with a pass into a target or a shot
Time yourself and try to beat it
Try with your weaker foot
Challenge Checklist:
- Kept the ball close
- Changed pace between cones
- Finished with an end product
- Tried with weaker foot
Session Checklist
- Football boots
- Water bottle (full)
- Packed lunch + snacks
- Suncream
- Shin pads