Red Light, Green Light
Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot
Red Light, Green Light is a soccer dribbling drill for U5–U8 that turns the playground game into ball mastery practice. Because players never know when the stop call is coming, they learn to dribble with the ball close enough to kill it instantly. It needs zero explanation time - every kid already knows the rules.
Browse the full dribbling drills library for more like this, or explore every soccer drill for U7 players.
Setup
- Set a starting line with all players lined up along it, each with a ball.
- The coach stands 15–20 yards away, facing away from the group.
How It Works
- With their back turned, the coach yells "GREEN LIGHT!" and players dribble toward them.
- On "RED LIGHT!", the coach pauses a moment, then spins around.
- Any player still moving - or whose ball is still rolling - goes back level with the player farthest from the coach.
- First player to reach the coach with their ball under control wins, then everyone resets.
Coaching Points
- Ball close on every touch - that's the only way to stop instantly.
- Teach a proper stop: sole of the foot on top of the ball.
- Encourage small, quick touches over big kicks and chases.
- Vary the timing of your calls so players can't guess the rhythm.
Variations
- Right foot only, then left foot only.
- Add a "yellow light" for slow-motion dribbling to work on control at different speeds.
- Let the round's winner be the caller for the next round.