The fighters begin by dribbling around inside the ring in any direction.
Keeping their own ball under close control they must try to knock another fighter’s ball out of the ring.
To be successful fighters must decide who to attack and use defensive skills to knock their ball out, while being aware that they might be attacked from a different angle.
Once a fighter’s ball has been knocked out they are out of the fight and must not touch another fighter’s ball.
Any fighter who has been knocked out should collect their ball and walk around the outside of the ring with it so you can clearly see who is in and who is out.
When down to the final 2 or 3 fighters introduce a time limit to encourage them to win.
If there is no winner before the time is up everyone can rejoin and start again.
Close control, turning, tackling, defending, decision making.
Area: 30×30 yard square
Players: 12
Equipment: 12 balls
Use the whole of the ring like a boxer.
Who will be crowned King of the Ring?
Try not to get knocked out.
“Let battle commence” “Keep your ball close” “Head up”
Encourage tactics. For example, fighters might pair up early on, placing their balls in the corner and go on the attack to knock out other fighters.
The game could be played as a tag team game with one half of the pair starting inside the ring and able to tag out if they are tired or under pressure.
Make sure that fighters stay on their feet and do not slide tackle at this young age. If any fighter slides they are out on a technical knockout.
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters
I cannot stress enough what a difference it makes if you get players to practice ball skills every week at training. I spend the first 10 minutes of every session letting the players have a ball each and practice ball skills like turning, step overs, feints, left and right dribbles – it is a fantastic way to start the session and encourage players to be more effective with the ball at their feet. MORE
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In the Champions League Manchester City are explosive. When they play well it is as if they up their passing game so it is played quickly and the skill and technique are heightened. Want to play like them? Read on... MORE
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Fast passing games help teams to keep the ball when they play in matches. This unopposed game helps develop first touch, movement and accuracy. Great session to get teams passing the ball with speed. MORE
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Dribbling is the key to unlocking an opponents defence creating space to score goals either by crossing to a team mate or shooting themselves. Beating a man with a quick drop of the shoulder or with tight control is fantastic to watch not only with the top players but also with your own players – but the skill takes practice. MORE
