Close control is the foundation of good soccer. A player who can keep the ball near their feet under pressure gets more time, more options, and more confidence. The cone weave is one of the simplest ways to build that skill, and all you need is a bit of space and a few cones (or anything lying around).
What it builds
Dribbling with both feet, close ball control, balance, and the habit of taking lots of small touches instead of a few big ones. Those small touches are what let you change direction quickly and shield the ball from a defender.
(ad slot — replace with your ad code once approved)
How to set it up
Place 5 to 6 cones in a straight line, about one step apart. Too tight? Spread them out. Too easy? Bring them closer. If you don't have cones, water bottles, shoes, or chalk marks all work fine.
How to do it
- Dribble through the cones, weaving in and out.
- Use the inside and outside of both feet, not just your strong foot.
- Aim for a touch with every step, keeping the ball close.
- At the end, turn and come back the other way.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Touches that are too big. If the ball rolls a metre ahead between cones, you've lost control. Smaller, more frequent touches win.
- Only using the strong foot. The whole point is to develop both feet — force yourself to use the weaker one.
- Staring at the ball. Glance up between touches. Game awareness starts here.
- Rushing. Speed with no control just grooves bad habits. Earn the speed.
Tips
- Start slow. Control first, speed later.
- Keep your head up between touches so you get used to scanning the field, not just watching the ball.
- Count clean runs (no cones knocked, ball kept close) and try to beat your score.
Watch it in action
Variations to keep progressing
- Add a finishing move. End each run with a stepover, a chop, or a sharp cut before accelerating away.
- Beat the clock. Time a clean run and try to shave seconds off without knocking cones.
- One foot only. Complete a full run using just your weaker foot, then just your strong foot.
- Zig-zag spacing. Stagger the cones side to side instead of a straight line to force bigger direction changes.
How often to practise
Five to ten minutes a few times a week beats one long session. Close control is built through repetition, so short and regular is the goal. Fit it into a warm-up or do it while you're waiting for teammates to arrive.
(ad slot — replace with your ad code once approved)
The right ball makes control easier to learn — take a look at our soccer range. Ready for the next skill? Try our wall passing drill.