Ball-and-Body Dual Task — Dribble While Reacting to Colour
Players dribble freely while the coach holds up coloured cones that trigger different actions — stop, change direction, or accelerate — forcing them to process information without losing the ball. The drill trains the cognitive load of playing while scanning, a core youth development skill.
Save time planning sessions with FUTNIVO.
Organization
Each player dribbles freely in a 15×15m area. Coach holds up coloured cones: red = stop the ball and sprint 3m, blue = turn 180° and dribble the other way, green = accelerate 5m with the ball. Coach changes the colour every 5-8 seconds. Continue for 60s, rest 30s, 4 rounds.
Coaching Points
1. Keep the ball close while watching for the colour — head up. 2. React to the colour immediately — don't stop dribbling first. 3. Red: stop the ball with the sole, sprint, come back to the ball. 4. Blue: hook or pull-back turn, accelerate the other way. 5. Green: push the ball ahead and sprint onto it. 6. After each action, immediately resume close-control dribbling.
Progressions
- Add a fourth colour with a new action — more cognitive load.
- Coach calls the colour while the player is mid-turn — tighter reaction.
Regressions
- Use only 2 colours — simpler dual task.
- Coach calls the colour verbally — no visual scanning while dribbling.
Related Soccer Drills
Explore more FUTNIVO coaching tools
Plan full training sessions, build lineups and create your own drills.
Your privacy matters
FUTNIVO uses optional analytics cookies to understand how the website is used and improve our coaching tools. Necessary cookies required for the website to work are always enabled.