Figure Eights
Improve hand quickness and ball control without a dribble.
What this drill teaches
Soft, quick hands and ball control without the safety net of a dribble. Because the ball never stops moving through the legs, hands learn to steer it by feel — which is exactly what heads-up play needs.
In games: Players who can control the ball by feel don't need to stare at it in games, so they see open teammates and oncoming defenders instead of dribbling into trouble.
- Eyes up or forward while the ball keeps moving
- A low, wide stance held for the full interval
- Beating last week's 30-second count
U8–U10: slow loops with drops and giggles — completely fine. U14–U16: demand speed, the bounce version, and eyes up answering the coach's finger count.
Equipment
1 ball each
Setup
Feet wider than shoulders, knees bent, ball in one hand.
Steps
- 1Weave the ball in a figure-8 through and around both legs.
- 2Go one direction for 30 seconds, then reverse.
- 3Add a bounce between the legs each pass for older kids.
- 4Keep the eyes up the whole time.
Coaching points
- Stay low in a wide stance.
- Soft, quick hands.
- Don't look down.
Why kids love it
Kids love beating their own speed record — count how many they get in 30 seconds.
Variations
Big slow loops, no bounce.
Add a bounce through the legs on every pass so the ball never stops moving.
Call out the number of fingers the coach holds up while you weave.