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Soccer drills for beginners and for coaches that want some friendly fun games for their players. We have a collection of easy and basic passing, dribbling, and shooting drills for you to enjoy.
For beginners, it’s great to have a partner to play off, and pairing up allows them to build up skills and confidence when in group games. So make sure you have enough soccer balls for your team to make it fun.
Beginner Soccer Drills (Kids + Youth – Basic Easy Skills)
Dribble Between the Squares: Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 4-6
- Length of Session: 5 mins
- Number of Players: groups of 4
- Skills to Learn: dribbling, ball handling
- Equipment: 8 cones and 4 balls for each group of 4
Description: Each child will dribble their ball from one square to the next and back using a variety of different dribbling tactics defined by the coach.
Drill Set-up:
- Set up two squares 10 meters apart with side lengths of 5 meters.
- Place 4 players in one square and give each player a ball.
Drill Instructions:
- Instruct the players to dribble to the other square and back using different techniques.
- Right foot only.
- Left foot only.
- Inside of the feet.
- Outside of the feet.
- Doing a particular move every few dribbles (stepover, cut, roll and touch, etc.)
Musical Balls: Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 4-6
- Length of Session: 10 mins
- Number of Players: any
- Skills to Learn: awareness, speed, coordination
- Equipment: balls and cones
- Description: The number of balls decreases by one each round
Drill Set-up:
- Create a large square based on the number of players you have.
- Give each player a ball.
- Optional: set up a small side activity for kids to do once they are out of musical balls.
Drill Instructions:
- Give each player a ball at first.
- Instruct players to dribble around the area using different techniques.
- When you stop playing music or blow your whistle, each kid must leave their ball and find a new one.
- Take away one ball.
- Repeat the steps, this time one player won’t have a ball in the end.
- The player without a ball must perform a simple action, like 5 jumping jacks, or they are out.
- You can repeat the activity this way or take away one more ball each time the same way you would with musical chairs.
Hungry Hippos: Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 4-6
- Length of Session: 10 mins
- Number of Players: up to 20
- Skills to Learn: dribbling at speed, keeping head up
- Equipment: a lot of soccer balls, pinnies, and small goals are optional
- Description: Two teams compete to see who can bring the most balls back to their area.
Drill Set-up:
- Split the kids into two even teams.
- Give each team pinnies to distinguish.
- Create a large rectangle with a small zone on each end.
- Place all of the balls in the center of the space.
Drill Instructions:
- Place each team at either end of the rectangle.
- Each team can send one player at a time to go retrieve a ball and dribble it back.
- Optional: add a mini goal. The player must shoot the ball into the small goal to earn it for their team.
- If a player goes out of bounds, they must put the ball back in the middle and go back to their team for a new player to go.
- Perform as a race until all the balls are gone.
Freeze Tag: Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 6-10
- Length of Session: 10 mins
- Number of Players: 6+
- Skills to Learn: dribbling, keeping head up, ball control
- Equipment: ball for each player, cones, pinnies
Description: One or two taggers try to tag the players dribbling around with the ball. Once tagged, a player is frozen until another player passes the ball between their legs to unfreeze them.
Drill Set-up:
- Create a large square roughly 30 m X 30 m. Adjust the size based on the number of players.
- Put all players in the square.
- Select 1-3 taggers (depending on the size of the group).
- Give the taggers a pinny to differentiate them.
- Give all non-taggers a ball.
Drill Instructions:
- When you say go, the taggers will run around trying to tag those who are dribbling.
- If a player is tagged, they “freeze.” The frozen player stands with their feet a bit wider than shoulder-width apart. They should raise their ball above their head.
- A teammate can “unfreeze” a player by passing their ball between that player’s legs.
- Once unfrozen, the player puts the ball down and begins dribbling again.
- Play until the taggers freeze everyone, or for up to 2 minutes.
- Switch taggers each round.
- For younger kids, you can start without the ball as a warmup.
- Older, more advanced kids, require the tagger to steal the ball instead of just tag.
Windows: Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 8-10
- Length of Session: 10 mins
- Number of Players: Minimum 6
- Skills to Learn: dribbling, passing, first touch, turning, trapping
- Equipment: balls, cones
Description: Half of the players are on the outside of the circle and half inside. The players in the circle run to a player on the outside to complete a skill before running back to the center and finding a new player.
Drill Set-up:
- Create a large circle. You can use the center circle painted on a field or create your own. Base the size of the circle on the number of players and age group.
- Half of the players start in the center of the circle, and half on the outside.
- Each player on the outside of the circle should start with a ball.
Drill Instructions:
- When you say “go”, the central players will each check to a player on the outside.
- The player on the outside passes the ball to the central player.
- The central player passes the ball back.
- The central player heads back into the middle of the circle.
- The central player finds a new outside player to repeat the technique.
- Each round should be no more than 60 seconds.
- After the first round, switch the central and external players.
- Change the skill each round. You can have players use different feet, play in 1 touch, receive the ball out of the air, volley the ball back, perform a wall pass to switch places, etc.
Receive Pass Drag Back: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Receive pass drag back
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 2 to 18
- Skills learned: First touch, drag back, dribbling, ball control
- Equipment: 2 cones (minimum), 1 ball (minimum)
Drill Setup
- This drill requires players to work in pairs.
- For each pair, set up 2 cones 5 yards apart.
- Each player stands at a cone.
- P2 starts with the ball.
- P1 starts behind their cone.
- P1 is the main focus of the drill.
- P2 plays the role of a passer.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, P1 sprints in front of the cone and calls for the pass.
- P2 passes the ball to the feet.
- P1 takes a touch to control the ball, then drags the ball behind the cone, shuffles to the opposite side, and plays a return pass.
- Repeat the drill for 1 to 2 minutes before alternating roles.
- The focus is on moving backward, then sideways while maintaining control of the ball.
- The cone represents a defender, so this drill also helps players practice receiving the ball under pressure.
Drill Variations
- Focus on using both feet for a round.
- Focus on using the right foot for a round.
- Focus on using the left foot for a round.
Dribble to Pass: Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 4-10
- Length of Session: 10 mins
- Number of Players: 4+
- Skills to Learn: passing on the move, ball control, receiving
- Equipment: cones and balls
Description: Players dribble through a series of cones and then pass the ball to the next player in line.
Drill Set-up:
- Set up 10 cones in a line.
- The cones should be 1.5 to 2 meters apart.
- On each end of the line of cones, set another cone 5-7 meters away.
- Repeat this setup to create multiple groups if you have a lot of players.
- 2-3 players will line up behind the cone on each end of the line of cones.
- Give the ball to the first player in line.
Drill Instructions:
- The first player dribbles through the line of cones.
- Once they complete the line of cones, the player then passes the ball to the next player in line who is at the cone 5-7 yards away.
- The second player should receive the ball and then dribble through the line of cones.
- Create different dribbling rules (right foot, left foot, inside-outside, stepovers, etc).
- Focus on dribbling and passing technique, picking the eyes up, and being ready in line.
- Extend the distance of the pass for older/ advanced kids.
- Make the game competitive by having multiple groups compete to see who can have all players go twice. If you only have one group, turn it into a race against the clock.
Passing Practice in Pairs: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Passing practice in pairs
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 2 to 18
- Skills learned: Passing, volleying, heading, and ball control
- Equipment: 1 ball, 8 cones (per group)
Drill Setup
- Divide the team into pairs.
- Create 2 x 4-cone grids approximately 5 yards apart for each pair.
- Each player stands inside their own 4-cone grid.
- 1 player in each pair begins with the ball.
- There are 4 rounds in this drill. Each round covers a different variation.
Drill Instructions
- Round 1: P1 starts by playing a low pass to the feet of P2. P2 then plays a return pass to P1. Players repeat the process for 10 passes.
- Round 2: P1 starts with the ball in their hands and gently lobs it toward the feet of P2. P2 volleys the ball back to P1’s hands using the inside of their foot. Players repeat the process for 5 passes then switch roles.
- Round 3: P1 starts with the ball in their hands and lobs it toward P2’s chest. P2 controls the ball with their chest, then volleys it back to P1’s hands as they did in round 2. Players repeat the process for 5 passes then switch roles.
- Round 4: P1 lobs the ball in the air. P2 heads the ball back to P1’s hands, jumping if necessary. Players repeat the process for 5 passes then switch roles.
- Players complete all 4 rounds 3 times.
Drill Variations
- Focus on using weak feet for a round.
- Increase the distance between the grids to practice different ranges of passing.
Long passing: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Long passing
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 2 to 18
- Skills learned: First touch, ball control, long-distance passing
- Equipment: 1 ball, 8 cones (per pair)
Drill Setup
- Divide the team into pairs.
- For each pair, create 2 x 4-cone grids and position them approximately 10 yards apart.
- Each player stands inside their own 4-cone grid.
- 1 player in each pair begins with the ball.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by playing a direct pass to their teammate. Passes should be accurate, requiring minimal lateral movement from the receiver. However, allow the passers to vary the power and height of their passes, forcing the receiver to adjust and practice controlling the ball with different parts of their body.
- Instruct the receivers to focus on taking their first touch within the grid, keeping the ball close to their body.
- In the beginning, don’t limit the number of touches each player can take. Once players get used to the drill, encourage them to take a single touch to control the ball before playing a return pass.
- All players must complete 10 passes with their strong foot, then 10 passes with their weaker foot.
- When each player completes their 10 passes on each foot, expand the size of the grid and increase the distance between players to 20 yards. Repeat the entire process at this distance.
Drill Variations
- For advanced players, instruct players to make chest passes for a round.
- For advanced players, instruct players to try landing the ball inside their teammate’s grid, without it hitting the ground beforehand.
Pass, Move, and Shuffle: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Pass, Move, and Shuffle
- Age Group: All age groups
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Number of players: minimum of 2 as players work in pairs
- Skills learned: first touch, passing, and quick feet
- Equipment: 2 cones, 1 ball per pair
Drill Setup
- Each pair of players needs 2 cones.
- Place 2 cones approximately 5 yards apart to create the passing lane.
- Create separate passing lanes parallel to these cones for each pair of players.
- Each pair requires 1 ball.
Drill Instructions
- P1 stands 1 yard to the right and behind the cone, with the ball at their feet.
- P2 stands in a mirrored position, 1 yard to the left and behind the cone, waiting to receive a pass.
- P1 plays a firm, right-footed pass along the ground to P2.
- P1 then shuffles to the left side of the cone and waits for the return pass.
- P2 takes one touch to shift the ball from the left to the right side of the cone, before playing return pass to P1.
- P2 then shuffles back to the left side of the cone.
- P1 takes one touch to shift the ball from the left to the right side of the cone, before passing it to P2
- In the first and second rounds, allow 3 touches. In the third and fourth rounds, allow only 2.
Drill Variations
- Switch starting positions to focus on opposite foot passing.
- Increase the distance between players to improve passing accuracy, control, and range. For this drill, the maximum distance between players should be 15 yards.
1 v 1 Pass & Move: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: 1 v 1 Pass & Move
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Age Group: All age groups
- Number of players: 2
- Skills learned: Passing, movement, dribbling, tackling, and defensive jockeying
- Equipment: 10 cones, 1 ball
Drill Setup
- Place 2 cones 15 yards apart, marking the starting points for both players.
- 5 yards to either side of these cones, create a dribbling tunnel of the same length. The tunnel should be approximately 5 yards wide.
- Place cones 5 yards apart on both sides of the tunnel to create 3 separate, evenly sized sections within it.
- P1 begins with the ball at their feet.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by playing a long pass to P2.
- After the pass, P1 sprints through their end of the dribbling tunnel, making their way to the center section. They cannot enter the furthest section of the tunnel.
- P2 receives the pass, then dribbles through the end of the dribbling tunnel.
- P2 then tries to dribble past P1 and through the opposite end of the tunnel.
- P1 can tackle, block, or jockey the dribbler to try and regain possession.
- The round is over when P2 loses possession or successfully passes through the tunnel.
- If the ball crosses either sideline of the tunnel, the round is over.
- After the round, players switch roles.
Drill Variations
- Create a competition to see who can complete the most successful dribbles in the allocated time frame. Or, create a competition to see which player reaches 5 successful dribbles first.
- Set a time limit for the dribblers to get through the tunnel.
- If the defenders have the edge over the attackers, prohibit them from entering the center section.
- If the attackers have the edge, allow the defenders to enter all sections of the tunnel.
Pass, Layoff, and Shoot: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Pass, layoff, and shoot
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: All age groups
- Number of players: 2 to 18
- Skills learned: Passing, layoffs, first-time shooting
- Equipment: 2 cones, 1 ball (minimum), 1 goal
Drill Setup
- Use the penalty box for this drill.
- Set up a full-size goal. Even if there is no goalkeeper, it’s important to practice shooting in a regulation goal.
- Place 1 cone on the edge of the penalty box near the middle.
- Place 1 cone 5 yards outside of the penalty box toward center field.
- P2 stands next to the cone at the edge of the box. P2 is the passer.
- The rest of the team line up behind P1 at the cone outside the penalty box.
- P1 starts with the ball.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by passing the ball to P2.
- P1 then sprints toward the box and calls for a return pass.
- P2 plays a first-time layoff pass in front of P1.
- P1 takes a touch to control the ball, before shooting on goal.
- This is also a useful drill for goalkeepers.
- The next player in the attacking line continues the drill after the first shot is taken.
- Rotate the passer occasionally.
Drill Variations
- Change the starting position to practice different shooting angles.
- Adjust the shooting distance.
- Focus on first-time shooting only.
- Instruct the passer to chip the ball slightly, forcing the shooter to take a half volley.
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Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.
