Dribbling and shooting

1Why this matters

Passing is the fastest way to move the ball, but sometimes no pass is on. Then a dribble lets you keep the ball and move into space. And every attack must end in a shot that beats the goalkeeper. This session teaches the dribble rules, which catch out many beginners, and three ways to shoot.

2Dribbling

• Bounce the ball with one hand, pushing on the top of it. You may bounce as many times as you like.
• Your hand must touch only the top of the ball. Putting your hand under it is carrying.
• The steps and seconds count again after a dribble. You may catch, take up to three steps, dribble, pick the ball up, and then take up to three more steps (or three more seconds). After that you must pass or shoot. Dribbling a second time is a double dribble.

Each of these faults gives a free throw to the other team.

When to dribble: to move into free space when no pass is possible, or to break away with no defender in front of you. Otherwise pass: it is faster.

3Where to shoot

The goalkeeper covers the middle of the goal with her body. The best targets are the corners, especially the low corners, which are hard to reach quickly.

Figure 2. The goal as the shooter sees it. Diagram: Ganzaa.

4Three shots

1. Set shot. Standing, side-on, with the foot opposite your throwing arm forward. The same action as the shoulder pass, but harder, aimed at a corner. Used at the 7-metre throw and when you have time.
2. Jump shot. Take off from the foot opposite your throwing arm (a right-hander jumps from the left foot), drive the other knee up, and throw at the highest point of the jump, over the defenders' arms.
3. Shot into the goal area. Jump from outside the 6 m line towards the goal to get closer or to widen your angle, and release the ball before you land. Landing inside the goal area after the ball has gone is allowed. Wings use this to shoot from near the side line.

The 6 m line belongs to the goal area. If an attacker steps on it or inside it before releasing the ball, a goal does not count and the defending goalkeeper restarts play with a goalkeeper throw.

5The 7-metre throw

It is awarded when a clear chance to score is stopped illegally. The thrower keeps one foot behind the 7 m line and waits for the referee's whistle; only the goalkeeper may defend, and she must stay 3 m from the thrower (a short mark on the floor shows the spot). Throwing the ball at the head of a goalkeeper who is standing still is punished with a red card.

Worked example

Gatete jumps from just outside the 6 m line, shoots while in the air, and lands inside the goal area. The ball goes into the low corner.

Decision. Goal. He took off from outside the line and released the ball before landing, so landing inside the area afterwards is legal.

6The session (about 40 minutes)

Warm-up (8 minutes). Jog while dribbling, changing hands. Then dynamic stretches: walking lunges, leg swings and arm circles. Throw 10 passes at half power, then 10 at three-quarter power, to prepare the shoulder for shooting.

Skill drills (22 minutes).

• Three, dribble, three. Catch a pass, take three steps, dribble to a cone, pick up, take three steps and pass back. Partners count the steps aloud.
• Corner targets. Hang bibs or tie plastic bottles in the four corners of the goal. From 7 m, then 9 m, shoot set shots at the targets. Score a point for each hit.
• Jump shot over the wall. A partner stands on the 9 m line with arms raised. From beyond it, run in, jump from the correct foot and shoot over the arms. Use a soft ball at first and no goalkeeper.

Game (6 minutes): 7-metre competition. Each player takes one 7-metre throw against a goalkeeper; players who score stay in. Change goalkeeper often.

Cool-down (4 minutes). Walk, then stretch the shoulders, chest, forearms, calves and thighs, 20 seconds each.

7Safety

• Shooters aim at the corners, never at the goalkeeper's head.
• Goalkeepers warm up fully first, and face slower, softer shots before hard ones.
• Nobody stands or walks behind or beside the goal while shots are being taken. Collect balls only when the teacher stops the shooting.
• Land on both feet with knees bent after a jump shot.

Practice

Solution. Yes. After the dribble she may take up to three more steps; she took two and then passed.

Solution. His right foot, the foot opposite his throwing arm.

Solution. No. The line belongs to the goal area, so he entered it before releasing the ball. The defending goalkeeper restarts with a goalkeeper throw.

Solution. They are furthest from the goalkeeper's hands and head, and she has to drop and stretch a leg or arm very quickly to reach them.