Running With the Ball Drills for Football
Running with the ball is different from dribbling — it's covering ground at speed with control. These drills teach players to drive into space and carry the ball at pace.
Dribbling vs running with the ball
Dribbling beats a player in a tight space; running with the ball covers distance quickly into open space. Both matter — these drills build the second: pushing the ball into space and accelerating onto it.
Drill 1: Driving into space
Players push the ball into space ahead and accelerate onto it, covering ground quickly with bigger touches. Coach the difference from close control — out of the feet, into space, at pace.
- Bigger touches into space when the space is there.
- Push the ball out of your feet so you can run.
- Head up to see the space ahead.
Drill 2: Carrying at speed with control
Through a longer channel, players carry the ball at speed but must stop or change direction on a signal — building control at pace, not just speed.
Drill 3: Commit a defender
Run at a defender in space, commit them, then release a pass or accelerate past. This turns carrying into a game skill — driving forward to create.
- When you have space, take it — drive forward.
- Keep enough control to pass or change direction.
- Commit the defender before you release the ball.
Coaching points
Use bigger areas than for dribbling so players learn to use space. Coach the decision: close control in tight areas, drive with the ball in open space.
Get the full Running With the Ball manual
Six progressive drills for driving into space with pace and control — diagrams and coaching points included.
See the Running With the Ball manual →See also our dribbling drills for tight-space control.