Skill Tests
Skill tests are how you earn your buttons. They’re not complicated — but they are real. Your coach is watching for specific things. This page tells you exactly what those things are.
No surprises. Prepare at home. Show up ready.
How the Test Works
Section titled “How the Test Works”- You request the test — tell your coach you’re ready to be tested on a skill
- The test happens at training — usually at the beginning or end of a session
- Your coach watches once — they may ask you to repeat a movement
- They give you a pass or a note — if you don’t pass, they’ll tell you what to fix
There’s no penalty for not passing. You just keep practicing and come back when you’re ready.
Test Standards
Section titled “Test Standards”Dribbling Test
Section titled “Dribbling Test”What the coach is looking for:
- Toe taps: 30 continuous seconds, alternating feet, without stopping
- Sole rolls: 20 reps, alternating feet, ball under control
- Inside touch gate: Dribble through a 1-metre cone gate using inside touches without losing the ball
Pass standard: Consistent control. Ball stays within one body length. No fumbles or restarts.
Drag Back Test
Section titled “Drag Back Test”What the coach is looking for:
- 5 drag backs in a row, alternating feet
- Performed at dribbling pace — not standing still
- Ball retrieved cleanly after each drag back
Pass standard: Smooth technique. Sole on ball, not toe. Controlled change of direction after each rep.
Passing & Receiving Test
Section titled “Passing & Receiving Test”What the coach is looking for:
- 10 inside passes against a wall or target, alternating feet
- First touch — receive a moving ball and control it in one touch
- Pass-and-move: complete a simple two-touch sequence with the coach
Pass standard: Clean foot contact. Good plant foot position. First touch sets up the next action (not just stopping the ball).
Ball Boss Pathway Test
Section titled “Ball Boss Pathway Test”The full Ball Boss test covers all five skills:
| Skill | Test requirement |
|---|---|
| Toe Taps | 30 seconds continuous |
| Sole Roll | 20 alternating reps |
| Inside Touch | Through a cone gate, clean |
| Drag Back | 5 in a row, alternating |
| Inside Pass | 10 against a wall, alternating |
A player must pass all five to earn the Ball Boss button.
Preparing for Your Test
Section titled “Preparing for Your Test”The best preparation is consistent home practice:
- Do the reps described on each skill page
- Get your parent to watch and sign off
- Practice until it feels automatic — not just doable
If you can do the skill perfectly at home, you can do it in front of your coach. The test is just the confirmation.
After the Test
Section titled “After the Test”- Pass: Your coach records it. Button earned.
- Not yet: Your coach tells you what to fix. You practice it. Come back ready.
See Buttons → for what you earn when you pass, and Socks → for pathway rewards.
Questions? Ask your coach at training.