Variation 1: (left image)

This drill is a high intensity program used to develop the skill of running with the ball. The players run from one gate (demarcated by the poles) to the other with a player chasing. Once the player running with the ball has reached the other gate they must play the ball through the gate to the player at the front of the line. Following this action, the player with the ball will run with it towards to other gate, while the player who played the ball initially will round the last pole and begin the chase. 

Variation 2: (right image)

This drill sees 6 players in a 30x20 metre grid. The objective set to the team in possession is to maintain possession of the ball until an opportunity arises for them to run with the ball from one blue zone into the other. The yellow zone marks an area where no passes can be played thus the team in possession must pick their moment to look to drive the ball into this space. It is encouraged to run this drill in 5 minute blocks with rests and defensive rotations.

Skill breakdown:

-Unlike dribbling with the ball, running with the ball focuses more on the straight line progression of the ball at a players feet. 

-Touches on the ball should be made with the laces not the instep. Additionally, the foot chosen to run the ball with may look turned inwards (showing a small portion of the ankle or outstep). This curling inwards of the foot allows a player to make more surface area contact on the ball (more controlled touches) without losing the ability to move explosively forward. 

-Players are encouraged to apply proper runners technique to this concept (use of arms and proper stride/ ground striking), since the objective of this skills is move the ball quickly in a single direction.

-Rhythm can be used to help players understand the correct application of the skill. Stride-Touch-Stride-Touch is a rhythm I encourage players to use. This thought process unpacks the skill into mental cues players can use, whereby for every the distance between touches is a players stride (more control then kicking the ball and "running onto it"). Players are then encourage to increase their stride length (runners technique) to find more speed running with the ball.

-It is natural for players to drop their heads to focus on the correct application of their touch especially during their early stages of grasping the skill. Advanced players are encouraged to test themselves by limiting the time their head drops to focus on the ball.