Replicate real-game soccer moves by practicing give-and-go soccer drills. These one-two movements can split the defense, and break the lines to create a scoring chance.
Give-and-go drills are fun to practice, they are short and quick and sometimes end with a shot at a goal. You will also practice your passing skills with these drills.
Give And Go Soccer Drill
Pass Through the Gates: Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 6-10
- Length of Session: 10 mins
- Number of Players: any
- Skills to Learn: passing, communication
- Equipment: balls and cones, optional pinnies
Description: Players must pass the ball through a gate to their teammate to earn a point.
Drill Set-up:
- Set up a large space based on the number of players you have and their ages.
- Randomly place gates using cones. Gates should be about 3 meters.
- Give each player a partner.
- Optional: use pinnies to distinguish groups.
- Each group of 2 gets 1 ball.
Drill Instructions:
- Kids must dribble around the area and pass through the gates to their partners.
- Each successful pass through the gate earns one point.
- Kids cannot go through the same gate twice in a row.
- Challenge your players to see who gets the most passes in a set time or who can complete all gates first.
- Keep each round to 60 seconds or less.
- Challenge older players to use their weaker foot or complete the drill with smaller gates.
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.
Pass and Move Awareness: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Pass and move awareness drill
- Session Length: 3 to 5 mins
- Number of players: Minimum of 8 players broken into 4 groups
- Skills learned: passing, quick movement, first touch, and awareness
- Equipment: 4 cones, 2 balls
Drill Setup
- Position 4 cones to create a tilted square. The 4 corners should be 10 yards apart from each other.
- Split the training squad into 4 even groups, with each group lining up at a separate cone.
- 3 to 4 players per group is optimal. There must be a minimum of 2 in each group.
Drill Instructions
- P1 and P3 start with the balls at their feet.
- P1 plays a low, firm pass to P2. After playing the pass, the player jogs to the back of the line on their right.
- Then, P3 passes the ball to P4. When the pass is played, the player joins the end of the line to their right.
- P2 and P4 take one touch the control the ball, before playing a return pass to the next player in the group they received the ball from.
- After playing the pass, the players jog to the back of the line to their right.
- As the passing lanes intersect in the middle of the square, players must time their passes precisely to avoid the balls from accidentally colliding.
Drill Variations
- Introduce limits on the number of touches. Start out with no limits, then gradually reduce it to 2 touches.
- Instruct players to use their weaker foot for a certain number of passes.
- Set targets for successive completed passes.
Dutch Style Passing: Soccer Drills
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Dutch Style Passing
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Number of players: 8 to 16
- Skills learned: Passing, receiving the ball on the move, first touch, and offensive positioning
- Equipment: 4 to 8 cones, 2 balls, mini goal or full-size goal
Drill Setup
- Create a 4 cone grid as shown in the graphic, with each cone positioned 10 yards apart.
- Set up a small goal using cones. Alternatively, you can use a full-size goal and a goalkeeper.
- Ensure the drill starts and finishes on the edge of the penalty box as the sequence is designed to simulate a midfield attacking move.
- Split the team evenly into 4 groups and position each group behind the cones at the 4 corners of the grid.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by playing a low, firm pass to P2.
- As soon as P1 passes the ball, they run toward P3 and call for the return pass.
- P2 plays a quick, first-time (if possible) return pass to P1.
- While on the move, P1 receives the return pass and plays a first-time (if possible) pass to P3.
- P3 takes a touch to control the ball then plays a low, firm, pass to P4.
- As soon as P3 passes the ball, they sprint toward the penalty box and call for the return pass.
- P4 plays a threaded pass in front of P3.
- P3 receives the pass on the move, dribbles into the box, and shoots on goal.
- When the round finishes, P1 joins the P2 line, P2 joins the P3 line, and P3 joins the P4 line.
Drill Variations
- Switch the drill to the opposite side of the training field.
- Run the drill using one-touch passes only.
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.
Split the Defense Finishing: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Split the defense finishing
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 3 to 18
- Skills learned: Movement, positioning, first touch, finishing
- Equipment: 1 mannequin (alternatively 1 cone or agility pole), 3 cone, 1 goal, 1 balls (minimum)
Drill Setup
- Use the penalty box for this drill.
- Set up a full-size goal, even if there is no goalkeeper.
- Place a mannequin, cone, or agility pole centrally on the edge of the penalty box.
- Place 1 cone 5 yards outside the penalty box.
- Create a 5-yard passing gate to the right of the mannequin using 2 cones.
- P1 stands next to the mannequin.
- P2 and the rest of the players line up behind the cone outside the box.
- P2 starts with the ball.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by moving around the mannequin as if it were a defender.
- P1 then sprints in front of the mannequin to receive a pass.
- P2 plays a quick one-two return pass to P1.
- After playing the return pass, P1 backs away toward the 2 cone grid while still facing P2.
- This movement simulates splitting 2 defenders in the back line.
- P2 plays a pass to P1’s feet.
- P1 takes a touch into the penalty box for a 1 v 1 with the goalkeeper.
- P1 joins the end of the passing line.
- P2 takes P1’s position.
- Repeat the drill.
Drill Variations
- Switch the drill to the opposite side to practice different shooting angles.
- Create a competition where each attacker has 2 lives. All players can miss 2 shots. On the third miss, they are eliminated. The last player remaining is the winner.
Dribble, Pass, & Move: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Dribble, Pass, & Move
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 4 to 16
- Skills learned: Passing & dribbling
- Equipment: 1 ball, 3 cones
Drill Setup
- Place 3 cones in a line, with each cone 5 yards apart.
- Divide the team into 2 groups.
- Group 1 lines up at one outside cone while group 2 lines up outside the other.
- P1 begins with the ball at their feet.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts by dribbling toward the center cone.
- At the center cone, P1 passes to P2 and then joins the end of P2’s line at the back.
- P2 dribbles to the center cone pass to P3 then join the end of P3’s line.
- Players continue repeating the process for several minutes.
Drill Variations
- Instruct players to use their weak foot only for 1 minute.
- Limit dribbling touches to 2 before the player must pass.
Agility Passing Weave: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Agility Passing Weave
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 5 (minimum)
- Skills learned: Sprinting, changing direction, back peddling, 1-touch passing
- Equipment: 5 cones, 4 balls
Drill Setup
- Create a square grid using cones positioned 5 to 10 yards apart.
- Place 1 cone 5 yards perpendicular to any corner of the grid to indicate the starting point.
- 4 players stand 5 yards outside each corner of the grid. Each of these players has a ball at their feet.
- P1 and any remaining players line up behind the starting cone.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, P1 sprints to, then around the first cone and faces P2.
- P1 calls for the ball.
- P2 plays a quick give-and-go pass with P1.
- P1 sprints, then around the next cone, repeating the process until they complete the entire square grid.
- The next player may begin when P1 reaches the second cone.
- Rotate player roles occasionally, giving all players a chance to complete the drill.
- The focus of this drill is quick movements. Sharp turns to simulate getting free from a defender to receive a pass.
- Encourage players to be vocal, calling for a pass as they would in a real game scenario.
Drill Variations
- Focus on the players’ left and right feet each round, ensuring they practice with both.
- Instead of a give-and-go pass, practice headers, volleys, or chest control.
- Increase the passing distance for higher-skilled players.
- Create competition by timing each player’s round.
Give & Go Passing Squares: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Give & Go Passing Squares
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 5 (per square)
- Skills learned: Give & go passing, moving, awareness, concentration
- Equipment: 1 ball (per square), 4 cones (per square)
Drill Setup
- Divide the team into groups of 5.
- Set up a 4-cone square grid for each group. All cones should be around 5 yards apart.
- P1 and P5 stand behind 1 cone. All other players stand behind separate cones.
- P1 begins with the ball at their feet.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by playing a pass to P2. The pass must travel along the outside of the square.
- P1 follows their pass and heads toward P2’s cone.
- P2 plays a first-time pass in front of P1 to the inside of the square, then starts to run toward P3’s cone along the outside of the square.
- P1 plays a first-time pass to P2 and then stands behind P2’s original cone.
- P2 plays a pass along the outside of the square to P3 then continues to run toward the cone.
- P3 plays a first-time pass in front of P2 to the inside of the square, then starts to run toward P4’s cone along the outside of the square.
- P2 plays a return pass to P3 and then takes P3’s original starting position.
- These steps are continuously repeated, creating a constant passing loop.
Drill Variations
- Occasionally change the direction of the drill.
- Set consecutive passing targets.
- If you have multiple groups, create a competition to see which team can accumulate the most consecutive passes.
Quick Fire Passing Drill: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Quick Fire Passing Drill
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 2 (minimum)
- Skills learned: One touch passing, first touch, lateral movement, give-and-go passing
- Equipment: 1 ball (per pair), 3 cones
Drill Setup
- Divide the team into pairs.
- Each pair operates in a small grid consisting of a 3-yard, 2-cone gate, and a perpendicular cone, 3 yards from the gate.
- Each player takes turns being the focus of the drill.
- P1 begins in the center of the gate.
- P2 begins with the ball at their feet at the perpendicular cone.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, P2 starts the drill by playing 2 return passes to P1.
- P1 then shuffles to the right side of the right-hand cone to receive the next pass.
- P2 passes the ball when P1 reaches the outside of the cone.
- P1 takes 1 touch (if possible), taking the ball back toward the center of the gate.
- P1 passes the ball to P2.
- P2 plays 2 return passes to P1.
- P1 shuffles to the left side of the left-hand cone to receive the next pass.
- After receiving the pass, P1 takes 1 touch, taking the ball back toward the center of the gate.
- P1 and P2 continue the process for 1 minute then switch roles.
- Each player performs at least 3 rounds of the drill.
Drill Variations
- To add a conditioning focus to the drill, consider increasing the working time or the number of rounds.
- Create competition by tracking the number of mistakes (extra touches, misplaced passes, performing the drill incorrectly, etc.). The team that commits the least number of mistakes wins.
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.
Weave Passing: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Weave Passing
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 4 to 16
- Skills learned: Passing, moving, anticipation, finishing
- Equipment: 1 ball, 1 goal, 3 cones
Drill Setup
- Use approximately half the field for this drill.
- Set up a full-size goal if you have a goalkeeper. If not, a small goal or pair of cones will suffice.
- Place 3 cones approximately 10 yards apart, across the field, just in front of the halfway line.
- Divide the outfield players into 3 even groups.
- Each group lines up at a different cone.
- P1 begins with the ball at their feet at the center cone.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, P2 and P3 set off, running toward the goal.
- P1 plays a through ball to P2, anticipating where they are running to.
- P1 wraps around behind P2, following the pass and continuing to run toward the goal.
- P2 then plays a through ball to P3.
- P2 wraps around behind P3.
- If P3 is close to the goal, they take a touch and shoot.
- If P3 is still outside the box or too far out to shoot, they pass to P1 for a shot.
- After completing the round, all outfield players join different lines. The next 3 players start the second round.
- If you have multiple goalkeepers, rotate them occasionally.
Drill Variations
- Time each round and challenge players to beat their best time every turn.
- Set goal-scoring targets for the team.
- Increase the distance of the drill and cover the entire field.
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.
