Soccer dribbling drill

Cruyff Turn

The Cruyff turn fakes a pass or shot, then drags the ball behind your standing leg and takes you the other way. This drill builds it up from walking to full speed.

FixesGetting stuck when a defender blocks your path

Solo
10 min
Ages 7–18
3 days a week

Cruyff Turn drill video — Video: Mark Lavery - Soccer on YouTube

Who: Solo, no partner needed
Ages: 7–18
Time: 10 minutes
Dose: Walk-throughs, then 10 Cruyff turns with each foot, 2–4 days a week
Equipment: Soccer ball (size 3 through age 8, size 4 for ages 9–12, size 5 for 13+)
1 cone or marker (a shoe works)
Open grass or turf about 15 steps (30 feet) long

How to do the drill

1
Set a cone 10 steps (about 20 feet) away. Dribble at it with your right foot.
2
A step before it, plant your left foot by the ball and swing your right leg like you'll kick.
3
Tap the ball back behind your left leg with the inside of your right foot. Turn and go.
4
Walk it 5 times, then do 10. Switch feet and repeat.
5
Count a clean turn when the ball stays close. Log your total out of 20.

Coaching cues

Sell the kick.
Drag it behind.
Turn and go.

What good looks like

A real-looking fake kick, the ball tucked behind your standing leg, and a quick burst the other way.

Safety

Plant your standing foot on flat ground and keep a soft knee as you turn. Start slow so you don't twist your ankle on the ball.

Why this drill

The Cruyff turn gets you out of trouble when a defender blocks the way. The fake kick makes them freeze while you turn the other way.

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Inside-Outside Dribble

FixesUsing only one part of one foot and big touches that run away

Solo
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Ages 6–18

8 rounds of 30 seconds (in place and moving, each foot), 3–5 days a week

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