Futbol Island

7v7 lesson · Beginner

Start with Your Feet

Some leagues (like England's FA for younger players) restart from the sideline with your feet. Dribble it in or pass it in: pick the open route.

What the coach says

  1. This FA example is for under tens and under elevens in twenty twenty-six to twenty-seven. Touchline restarts can be passes or dribbles.
  2. The ball is still on the touchline. Opponents start at least five yards away. Here they cover the pass to the middle.
  3. Which route can start this restart?
  4. Dribble in with another touch. Teammates keep separate routes instead of crowding the taker.
  5. Now compare a new restart. Blue guards the dribble route, and our middle teammate finds a different angle.
  6. The dribble route is covered now. Which action uses the other route?
  7. Pass inside. The taker comes onto the pitch, and the other players adjust around the receiver.
  8. The same restart offered different choices as Blue moved. Look at the lane before choosing the permitted pass or dribble.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    Which route can start this restart?

    • Dribble in
    • Pass to the middle

    Coach’s explanation: The inside dribble route is clear. In this FA profile the taker may touch the ball again.

  2. Question 2

    The dribble route is covered now. Which action uses the other route?

    • Dribble inside
    • Pass to the middle

    Coach’s explanation: Blue has stepped into the dribble route. The midfielder’s new angle opens a different route for the restart.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Blue is guarding the pass to the middle.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's true. A blue player stands in the lane to the middle.

  4. Question 4

    The taker dribbles in. What do teammates do?

    • Crowd close to the taker
    • Keep their own separate spaces
    • Run back to our goal

    Coach’s explanation: Separate spaces give the taker more choices to pass.

  5. Question 5

    Now Blue guards the pass inside. Where can the taker dribble?

    • Inside, toward the middle
    • Up the line

    Coach’s explanation: Blue left the line open, so the taker dribbles in there.

Play it on the island