Mirror Moves Drill


Field size:  ten yards in length, two cones at each end

Number of players: full team split up in pairs

Age range: 8-10

Description: Both players have a ball at their feet and stand between two cones about ten yards apart. One players starts out following his or her partner’s movements as they face one another on a line.  The player copies what the other player is doing, dribbling to the right side or dribbling to the left or doing a certain fake or move.

Later, move this to a game where the player can’t get beat to a cone, but first start out with practicing moves by copying what the other player does.  Players can’t cross over the line but try to dribble to the cone before the other player gets there. Players try feinting one way and then going the other way to tick the other player.  Both players work up and to the line but not over it.

Players can earn a point when they beat the player to the cone.  One player acts as the leader and then switch roles.  For example, the lead player might break to the right on the dribble and then dash back to the left with the ball.  The key is to mimic what the other player is doing with the ball.  Begin at a slow pace and then increase the tempo as the players get more comfortable.

Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.

The drill is similar this one, called master speed, but the above drill focuses on moving laterally with the ball.