Minefield

Fun game

Navigate a crowded space while dribbling with the head up.

6 min any Half court
Ball-handlingFootworkU8U10U12

Game guide

Any group size · 1 ball each, lots of cones

Get everyone ready

Enter the minefieldCones scattered as 'mines' — dribble through without touching them. 1

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Scatter cones ('mines') randomly across a coned area. Players dribble inside.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Head up to read the space.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Scatter cones ('mines') randomly across a coned area. Players dribble inside.

  1. Dribble around without touching any cone.
  2. Keep the head up to find gaps.
  3. Coach shrinks the area or adds cones each round.
  4. Touch a mine and do 3 dribble moves before rejoining.

Suggested reset

Pause the whole group before a new round or a change to the course. Players keep their own balls; retrieve loose balls and restore safe spacing before the next signal. Everyone remains involved.

Coaching cues

  • Head up to read the space.
  • Change direction under control.
  • Protect the ball in traffic.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Add a defender roaming the minefield.

Easier: Halve the number of mines and let them dribble with either hand at walking pace.

Weak Hand Only: Cross the minefield using only your weak hand — a mine costs you a restart.

What this drill teaches

Heads-up dribbling in traffic. You can't steer around mines you can't see, so scanning the floor while the ball bounces becomes the only way to survive — and the shrinking space keeps raising the difficulty automatically.

In games: Games are crowded — this builds the player who dribbles through a packed key without coughing the ball up, spotting gaps and teammates instead of cones and ankles.

What good looks like
  • Eyes sweeping the floor, not locked on the ball
  • Smooth, controlled direction changes around traffic
  • The ball kept on the protected side as players pass each other

U8: few mines, walking pace, either hand — collisions happen. U12: expect weak-hand-only crossings at speed with a roaming defender in the field.

Equipment

1 ball each, lots of cones

Setup

Scatter cones ('mines') randomly across a coned area. Players dribble inside.

Steps

  1. 1Dribble around without touching any cone.
  2. 2Keep the head up to find gaps.
  3. 3Coach shrinks the area or adds cones each round.
  4. 4Touch a mine and do 3 dribble moves before rejoining.

Coaching points

  • Head up to read the space.
  • Change direction under control.
  • Protect the ball in traffic.

Why kids love it

The 'don't hit a mine' theme forces heads-up dribbling without a single reminder.

Variations

Harder

Add a defender roaming the minefield.

Easier

Halve the number of mines and let them dribble with either hand at walking pace.

Weak Hand Only

Cross the minefield using only your weak hand — a mine costs you a restart.

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill