Fun Soccer Drills and Games (All Ages)

Fun soccer drills for you to practice. A great way to start a training session as part of your warm up or if you don’t have full team games then you can do these at the end of a session.

These fun drills will also be great for summer camps when enjoyment is the main focus. Plus, sometimes there are players with mixed abilities, so that’s when fun drills are a perfect choice.

Fun Soccer Drills and Games (All Ages)

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:

1. Place each team at either end of the rectangle. 
2. Each team can send one player at a time to go retrieve a ball and dribble it back. 
3. Optional: add a mini goal. The player must shoot the ball into the small goal to earn it for their team. 
4. 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.
5. Perform as a race until all the balls are gone. 

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:

1. Give each player a ball at first. 
2. Instruct players to dribble around the area using different techniques. 
3. When you stop playing music or blow your whistle, each kid must leave their ball and find a new one. 
4. Take away one ball. 
5. Repeat the steps, this time one player won’t have a ball in the end. 
6. The player without a ball must perform a simple action, like 5 jumping jacks, or they are out. 
7. You can repeat the activity this way or take away one more ball each time the same way you would with musical chairs. 

Knock Out: Soccer Drill

• Age Range: 7-10
• Length of Session: 10-15 mins 
• Number of Players: 10-12
• Skills to Learn: dribbling, keeping head up, defending, decision making 
• Equipment: cones and a ball for each player 

Description: Players all dribble around the space while trying to knock out the others’ balls. See who the last one standing is. 

Drill Set-up:

• Create a large circle with cones. 
• Give each player a ball inside the circle. 
• Make multiple games if you have a large team. 

Drill Instructions:

• Each player needs a ball inside the circle. 
• Players must dribble around while trying to kick other players’ balls out of the circle. 
• If your ball gets kicked out, you must do some small action to get back in (2 jiggles, 10 toe taps, etc).
• When the knock-out round begins, there’s no re-entry. Players who are knocked out should work on a skill you provide while watching. 
• As the number of players decreases, use the players who are out to block areas of the circle to shrink the space.
• To increase difficulty, shrink the size of the circle or add specific dribbling challenges within the game. 

4 Goal, 3 V 3: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: 4 Goal, 3 V 3 
• Session Length: 10 to 15 minutes
• Age Group: 12+
• Number of players: 6 to 18
• Skills learned: Range of passing, movement, first touch, and interceptions 
• Equipment: 4 goals, 1 ball 

Drill Setup

• Use a quarter of the training field for this drill.
• Set up 2 small goals on one end of the field and 2 small goals on the other.
• Position the goals next to the sidelines.
• The goals should be approximately 5 yards wide. 
• Divide the team into groups of 3.

Drill Instructions

1. This drill is essentially a 3 v 3 game but each team can score 2 different goals.
2. The focus of the drill is on different ranges of passing, teamwork, movement, and positioning. 
3. When in possession, a player has a maximum of 3 touches (including a pass).
4. The defending team may not tackle. They can intercept or block passes to gain possession.
5. As the goals are small, players are encouraged to get as close to the goal as possible before shooting. 
6. The first team to score 3 goals wins. 
7. The winning team stays on to compete against the next group.

Drill Variations

• Limit the number of touches to 2 or 1. If the players struggle, increase the number of permitted touches until they start to improve. 
• Increase the number of players per team. 
• Allow tackling. 
• Introduce a minimum number of passes before a team is allowed to score.

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

1. P1 starts the drill by passing the ball to P2. 
2. P1 then sprints toward the box and calls for a return pass. 
3. P2 plays a first-time layoff pass in front of P1. 
4. P1 takes a touch to control the ball, before shooting on goal. 
5. This is also a useful drill for goalkeepers. 
6. The next player in the attacking line continues the drill after the first shot is taken. 
7. 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. 

Fun Heading Warmup Drill: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: Fun Heading Warmup Drill
• Session Length: 5 minutes
• Age Group: All age groups (according to health recommendations in your area)
• Number of players: 6 to 18
• Skills learned: Standing and jumping headers, agility, blocking
• Equipment: 2 balls (minimum), 4 cones, 2 agility poles

Drill Setup

• Create a narrow gate by placing 2 cones 3 yards apart. 
• Create an identical narrow gate 10 yards parallel from the first. 
• Create a 5-yard gate using 2 agility poles halfway between the narrow gates. 
• P1 starts between the agility poles.
• Divide the rest of the team into 2 even groups. 
• 1 group lines up behind gate 1, and the other group lines up behind gate 2.
• The coach stands outside the playing grid next to the agility polls with multiple balls. 

Drill Instructions

1. P2 starts the drill by running toward the agility cones while calling for a pass from the coach.
2. The coach throws the ball toward P2. 
3. P2 heads the ball, attempting to score between the agility poles. 
4. P1 tries to block the header without using their hands. 
5. P2 then takes P1’s position between the poles and the drill is repeated from the opposite side. 
6. This is a fun, fast-paced drill so encourage the players to enjoy themselves while working hard.

Drill Variations

• Create a last-player standing tournament. If a player doesn’t score their header, they are out of the game. The drill continues until there is only 1 player returning. 
• Adjust the distance between the poles to make it easier or harder to score. 
• Divide the team into pairs and repeat the drill.

Crossbar Challenge: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: Crossbar challenge
• Session Length: 10 minutes
• Age Group: all ages
• Number of players: 2 to 18
• Skills learned: Long-range passing, shooting
• Equipment: 1 goal, multiple balls

Drill Setup

• Use half the training field for this drill. 
• Set up a full-size goal in the normal position on the end line. 
• All players line up on the halfway line with a ball each (if possible).
• Assign all players 3 lives each.
• Each player will take their turn one at a time. 

Drill Instructions

1. P1 places the ball somewhere along the halfway line. 
2. On the coach’s signal, P1 strikes the ball, attempting to hit the crossbar. 
3. If they hit the crossbar, they are through to the next round. If they miss, they lose a life. 
4. P1 collects their ball, rejoins the line, and waits for their next turn.
5. The next player takes their turn, attempting to hit the crossbar and the process is repeated. 
6. Players continue taking attempts at the crossbar until there is one player remaining. 
7. If no player hits the crossbar, shorten the distance and repeat the drill. 

Drill Variations

• For younger players, scale the drill and shorten the distance between the kicker and the goal. Consider using the edge of the penalty box as the starting point.
• Allow players to volley or kick the ball out of their hands, like a goalkeeper. 

Team Keepy Uppie: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: Team Keepy Uppies
• Session Length: 10 minutes
• Age Group: all ages
• Number of players: 6 to 18
• Skills learned: Heading, ball control, first touch
• Equipment: 2 balls, 1 ball net

Drill Setup

• There are 2 variations to this drill. 
• Both variations require minimal space and equipment. 

Drill Instructions

1. Round 1: Divide players into 2 even groups. Both groups line up across from each other, with each player approximately 2 yards apart. 
2. All players work together for this round. 
3. P1 starts by heading the ball to P2. Each player heads the ball to the player opposite them, gradually moving the ball to the end of the line. 
4. The final player heads the ball into the ball net.
5. If the ball hits the ground, the drill must be restarted. 
6. Round 2: Divide the team into even groups. Each group has 1 ball.
7. On the coach’s signal, the groups start playing keepy-uppies, preventing the ball from hitting the ground. 
8. Each player is allowed 3 touches before passing to a teammate. 
9. The team that keeps the ball in the air the longest wins. 

Drill Variations

• Limit the number of touches before players have to pass. For elite-level players, consider playing a 1-touch round. 
• Play a round with headers only. 

Soccer Tennis: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: Soccer Tennis
• Session Length: 15 to 20 minutes
• Age Group: all ages
• Number of players: 2 to 16
• Skills learned: Heading, ball control, first touch
• Equipment: 1 ball, 1 net, 4 cones per match 

Drill Setup

• Soccer tennis can be played 1 v 1, 2 v 2, or 3 v 3.
• Each court is 15 yards long and 10 yards wide. The net is 1 to 1.5 yards high.
• Depending on the number of players, you can set up multiple courts. 
• Decide on the type of match-ups to run and divide the players into teams if necessary.

Drill Instructions

1. A match starts with a serve from behind the baseline, outside of the court. Players serve by kicking, heading, or striking the ball with any body part other than the arms or hands. 
2. For a serve to be legal, the ball must pass over the net and touch the opponent’s half of the court or an opposition player.
3. Like tennis, the objective is to score points by bouncing an unreturnable shot into your opponent’s half. 
4. The team that scores always takes the next serve.
5. The ball may skim the net on the way over. 
6. If a player touches the net, a point is awarded to the other team.
7. Each team has a maximum of 5 touches to return the pass. Each player can take a maximum of 2 consecutive touches. 
8. The ball can bounce once per play.
9. A set is won when a team reaches 11 points. However, a team must win by 2 clear points.
10. If a team reaches 15 points, they win the set, regardless of the points difference.

Drill Variations

• Create a tournament. Consider doing 1 v 1, 2 v 2, and 3 v 3 tournaments. 
• Reduce the number of touches per team. 
• Limit individual touches to 1.
• Shorten the court and play head tennis only. 
• Play the best of 3 sets to determine the winner.
• Create a rule where all players on a team must touch the ball before it can be returned.

Passing Rondo: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: Passing rondo
• Session Length: 5 minutes
• Age Group: all ages
• Number of players: 6 to 18
• Skills learned: Quick passing, first touch, quick feet, interceptions
• Equipment: 1 ball (per group)

Drill Setup

• This drill requires just 1 ball. 
• Divide the team into groups of 6.
• Assign 1 player per group to begin as the defender. 
• The other players form a circle approximately 3 to 5 yards wide around the defender.
• P1 begins the drill with the ball at their feet.
• If you have more than 6 but less than 12 players, scale the drill to accommodate the number of players you have.

Drill Instructions

1. P1 starts the drill by passing the ball to a teammate. 
2. The attacking players then try to keep possession through quick passing. 
3. Instruct attacking players to hold their general positions to maintain the circle size.
4. D1 attempts to intercept the passes and gain possession. D1 can also press and tackle. 
5. When D1 wins the ball, the attacking payer responsible for losing possession switches with D1.
6. If an attacking player plays a bad pass that strays outside the circle, they must switch with D1.
7. The process is repeated for several minutes. 

Drill Variations

• Expand the circle size and use 2 defenders. 
• Limit the number of touches attacking players can take. 
• Set pass completion targets and instruct players to count consecutive passes.

1 v 1 Dual Goal Drill: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: 1 v 1 Dual Goal Drill
• Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
• Age Group: All age groups
• Number of players: 2
• Skills learned: Dribbling, defensive positioning, tackling, finishing
• Equipment: 4 cones, 1 ball, 2 mini goals

Drill Setup

• Create a 5 to 10-yard square playing grid using cones.
• Place 2 mini goals at the corners of one side of the grid.
• P1 begins with the ball at their feet in between the goals. 
• P2 begins at the opposite end of the grid. 

Drill Instructions

1. P1 starts the drill by passing the ball to P2. 
2. When they receive the ball, P2 attempts to score in either goal. 
3. P1 should quickly close the distance to give themselves the best chance at preventing a goal. 
4. P1 can tackle, block or jockey P2 to stop them from scoring. 
5. After every round, the players switch roles, changing who starts with the ball.
6. The first player to score 10 goals wins.

Drill Variations

• Increase the winning goal tally to improve player fitness. 
• Set a time limit for the attacking player to score. 
• If the defensive players are struggling to stop the attackers, consider shortening the distance between the goals. 

2 v 2 Mini-Games: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: 2 v 2 Mini-Games
• Session Length: 10 minutes
• Age Group: All age groups 
• Number of players: 4 (minimum)
• Skills learned: Passing, dribbling, finishing, tackling, communication  
• Equipment: 6 cones, 1 ball, 2 mini goals

Drill Setup

• Create a small playing field, 20 yards long and 10 yards wide, using 6 cones.
• Set up 2 mini goals and place one on either end of the field. 
• Divide the team into pairs. 
• 2 pairs compete at a time, with each pair beginning the drill at opposite ends of the grid.
• P1 and P2 begin with the ball. 

Drill Instructions

1. On the coach’s signal, the game is live. 
2. P1 and P2 can pass, dribble, or shoot to try and score against P3 and P4. 
3. P3 and P4 can tackle, block, and intercept, in an attempt to win possession. 
4. The first team to score 3 goals wins. 
5. If the ball goes over the sideline, there are no throw-ins. The player must play a ground pass instead. 
6. There are no offsides. 
7. If there are multiple pairs, rotate the teams after every round. 

Drill Variations

• Set a scoring time limit for the team in possession
• Play 2-touch or 3-touch rounds to work on quick passing and movement. 
• Mark a small area next to each goal. Players can only score from inside this zone. 
• If you have enough teams, consider running a tournament among them.

4 v 4 Penalty box Drill: Soccer Drill

Drill Outline

• Drill Name: 4 v 4 Penalty box Drill
• Session Length: 10 to 15 minutes
• Age Group: 12+
• Number of players: 8 (minimum), 1 goalkeeper (optional)
• Skills learned: Short passing, playing in tight spaces, teamwork, finishing
• Equipment: 4 cones, multiple balls, 4 mini goals, 1 goal

Drill Setup

• The penalty box is a perfect space to run this drill. 
• This is a 4 v 4 drill but works even better with an additional goalkeeper. 
• This drill is played predominantly across the penalty box. 
• Set up 4 mini goals, placing 2 on each side of the penalty box. 
• If you have a goalkeeper, set up 1 regular goal on the end line. If not, use another mini goal for the end line. 
• Divide the team into groups of 4. 
• 2 groups compete against each other at a time. 
• The coach begins with the ball.

Drill Instructions

• The coach starts the drill by kicking the ball onto the field. They can choose to play the ball into space, between 2 players, or in the air. 
• The P team attempts to score in G1 and G2. The D team attempts to score in G3 and G4. 
• Once a team scores in a particular goal, it becomes inactive and they must now try to score in the other one. 
• When a team scores in both of the mini goals, they must then score in the end-line goal to win the game. 
• When the ball goes out of play or the team scores, the coach restarts the game by kicking another ball onto the field. 
• Mix up teams after each game. 
• If you have enough players, create multiple teams and rotate them between games. 

Drill Variations

• Limit individual touches to 2 per possession. 
• Create a tournament if you have enough players.
• Increase the number of goals each team has to score to win. 
• Create a rule where each time a team scores, the scorer must leave the game. This creates mismatches, increasing the emphasis on positioning and teamwork.

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