Share the post "Large Groups Soccer Drills (Adaptable Sessions)"
It can be difficult to arrange soccer drills for large groups. We have a great selection of drills you can use that are easily adaptable for the number of players you have.
You can extend the drills below for your large group by adding extra players than what is shown in the images, or you can duplicate the drills.
Large Groups Soccer Drills
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
- This drill is essentially a 3 v 3 game but each team can score 2 different goals.
- The focus of the drill is on different ranges of passing, teamwork, movement, and positioning.
- When in possession, a player has a maximum of 3 touches (including a pass).
- The defending team may not tackle. They can intercept or block passes to gain possession.
- As the goals are small, players are encouraged to get as close to the goal as possible before shooting.
- The first team to score 3 goals wins.
- 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.
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
- P2 starts the drill by running toward the agility cones while calling for a pass from the coach.
- The coach throws the ball toward P2.
- P2 heads the ball, attempting to score between the agility poles.
- P1 tries to block the header without using their hands.
- P2 then takes P1’s position between the poles and the drill is repeated from the opposite side.
- 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.
Shuttle Drills: Soccer Drills
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Shuttle Drills
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1 to 18
- Skills learned: Quick feet, lateral movement, sprinting, deceleration, change of direction
- Equipment: 8 cones (minimum)
Drill Setup
- This drill involves 3 stations.
- Set up the stations as shown in the graphic
- Station 1: Place 2 cones 3-yards apart to indicate the starting gate. Place 2 identical cones 15 yards away to indicate the other end of the station. Place 2 cones between the start and end gates, equal distances apart (5 yards).
- Station 2: Create 4, 2 cone gates, 5 yards apart to create a running strip. The full length of the station is 15 yards.
- Station 3: Use the same cone formation as station 3.
- None of the drills involve a ball.
Drill Instructions
- Each of these drills involves explosive movements. Ensure all players undergo a thorough warmup to avoid injury.
- Station 1: P1 sprints to the front of the first cone, then shuffles the full way around it while moving their feet as quickly as possible (continually facing forward). They then sprint to the next cone and repeat the same movement, before sprinting through the end gate. P1 then turns around and repeats the drill from the opposite side.
- Station 2: This is an endurance-style drill. P1 sprints to the first gate then turn and run back to the starting point. P1 then sprints to the second gate before returning to the starting position. P1 then sprints through all the gates, pushing through passed the final cones.
- Station 3: P1 stands at the left cone of the first gate. To start, P1 sprints to the cone directly in front, then side steps quickly toward the cone to their right. P1 then sprints to the cone directly in front before side-stepping toward the cone to their left. To finish, P1 sprints through the final gate.
Drill Variations
- If you have enough players and space, you can set up all 3 at the same time. If not, adjust the cones after completing each round.
- Station 2: Instead of turning and sprinting back to the starting point, instruct players to sprint backward.
- Station 3: Repeat drill starting on the opposite side.
- Create competition by timing each player’s round. Or, divide players into groups and combine their total times.
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
- P1 places the ball somewhere along the halfway line.
- On the coach’s signal, P1 strikes the ball, attempting to hit the crossbar.
- If they hit the crossbar, they are through to the next round. If they miss, they lose a life.
- P1 collects their ball, rejoins the line, and waits for their next turn.
- The next player takes their turn, attempting to hit the crossbar and the process is repeated.
- Players continue taking attempts at the crossbar until there is one player remaining.
- 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.
Penalty shootout: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Penalty shootout
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 3 to 18
- Skills learned: Penalties, shooting, penalty saves
- Equipment: 1 goal, multiple balls
Drill Setup
- Set up a full-size goal in the penalty box
- If you have multiple goalkeepers, rotate them after each penalty.
- All outfield players compete against each other.
Drill Instructions
- Each player takes 1 penalty in the first round.
- If the player scores, they are through to the next round. If they miss, they are out.
- Repeat the same process until there are 2 players left.
- When there are 2 players left, play sudden death to determine the winner.
- Play a round of rock-paper-scissors to determine who goes first.
- In sudden death, each player takes 1 penalty per round. If both players score, sudden death continues for another round. If both players miss, sudden death continues for another round. If 1 player scores and the other misses, the player who scores wins.
Drill Variations
- If there are enough players, split the team into 2 groups to compete against each other.
- Enforce a rule where all players must use their weak foot for a round.
- Allow the goalkeeper to compete.
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
- P1 starts the drill by passing the ball to a teammate.
- The attacking players then try to keep possession through quick passing.
- Instruct attacking players to hold their general positions to maintain the circle size.
- D1 attempts to intercept the passes and gain possession. D1 can also press and tackle.
- When D1 wins the ball, the attacking payer responsible for losing possession switches with D1.
- If an attacking player plays a bad pass that strays outside the circle, they must switch with D1.
- 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.
Long-Distance Passing Pairs: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Long-distance passing pairs
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: All age groups
- Number of players: 10 starting outfield players (goalkeepers and subs optional)
- Skills learned: range of passing, first touch, passing technique
- Equipment: multiple balls
Drill Setup
- Use half of the field for this warm-up drill
- Divide the team into pairs
- 1 half of the players begin near the end line.
- The other half of the players begin near the halfway line.
- 1 player in each pair begins with the ball.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, the players begin passing the ball back and forth in pairs.
- If necessary, they can start closer together, gradually increasing the distance between players.
- This drill is low-intensity with a focus on passing technique and finding a range of passing.
- Players should practice low and hard passes, lofted passes, drilled passes, and other techniques they’re likely to use in-game.
- Players should also focus on taking quality first touches. Encourage players to practice controlling the ball with different parts of the body, including the knees, chest, and both feet.
- Occasionally rotate pairs.
Drill Variations
- Instruct players to shorten the distance between the pairs and practice headers.
- For advanced teams, instruct players to shorten the distance and practice the first touch, and high-intensity passing.
Progressive Passing Drill: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Progressive passing drill
- Session Length: 10 to 15 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 10 to 12
- Skills learned: Passing, movement, awareness,
- Equipment: 6 cones, 1 ball
Drill Setup
- Create a 20-yard, 4-cone square grid. Split the grid into 2 sections using 2 more cones.
- Elect 8 players to perform as attackers, and 2 as defenders.
- P1 and P2 stand outside the grid on one end, with P3 and P4 outside the grid on the other end.
- P5 and P6 begin inside the grid on one side, with P7 and P8 on the other side.
- D1 occupies the same space as P5 and P6. D2 occupies the same space as P7 and P8.
Drill Instructions
- Throughout this drill, all players must stay in their designated spaces.
- Players cannot pass the ball through any section. The ball must travel through each individual section to score.
- On the coach’s signal, P1 starts by playing the ball to P5 or P6.
- P5 and P6 work together to play the ball into the next section to P7 and P8. They can play the ball back to P1 and P2 to recycle possession.
- When P7 and P8 receive possession, they work together to play the ball to P3 and P4. They can play the ball back to P5 and P6, but not back to P1 and P2.
- D1 and D2 (in black) tackle, block, and try to regain possession.
- If the defenders win back the ball, the attackers must restart with P1 and P2.
- Each time the attackers successfully play the ball from one side to the other, they score a point.
- Run the drill for 2 to 3 minutes then rotate player roles.
Drill Variations
- Add an extra defender to both center sections.
- Create competition by tracking how many points each group scores.
- Reduce or increase the size of the grid to accommodate players’ skill levels.
- Limit the number of touches per player inside the grid.
- If attacking players are struggling, instruct the defenders to play passively with no tackling.
- This drill is designed for 10 to 12 players but it can be scaled up or down depending on numbers. Consider increasing the size of the grid if you have a large training squad.
Piggy In The Middle: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Piggy In The Middle
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: All age groups
- Number of players: 9 to 18
- Skills learned: Passing, movement, positioning, blocking
- Equipment: 8 cones, 1 ball
Drill Setup
- Create a 10-yard, 4-cone square grid.
- Split the grid into 3 even sections using the remainder of the cones.
- Divide the team into groups of 3.
- 3 groups participate at a time.
- 2 groups are designated as attackers, occupying the sections on either end of the grid.
- 1 group is designated as the defender and occupies the middle section.
- The attackers begin with the ball.
Drill Instructions
- The objective of this drill is for the attackers to successfully pass the ball from one side of the grid to the other. However, all players must stay inside the section they are assigned to.
- Each trio of attackers can play a maximum of 3 consecutive passes inside their section before they must attempt to switch play to the opposite side.
- If the defensive group wins possession, they switch with the group at fault.
- If an attacking player misplaces a pass outside of the grid, their team must switch with the defensive group.
- The team that successfully switches the play on 5 consecutive occasions is the winner.
Drill Variations
- Create a competition to see which group can win 3 separate games.
- Limit the number of touches per player.
- Set a time limit for players to keep the ball inside their section.
- Allow 1 defender to enter either attacking grid while that group is in possession.
Multiphase Attacking Possession: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Multiphase Attacking Possession
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 8 (minimum)
- Skills learned: Passing, movement, positioning, dribbling, finishing
- Equipment: 4 cones, 1 ball, 1 goal
Drill Setup
- Use the penalty box and surrounding area for this drill.
- If you have a goalkeeper, set up a full-size goal. If not, create a small goal using cones.
- Divide the team into groups of 4.
- 4 attackers and 4 defenders participate at a time.
- The attackers form a circle outside the penalty box with the ball.
- 2 defenders stand inside the circle of attackers.
- 2 defenders wait inside the penalty box.
Drill Instructions
- The drill starts as a passing rondo. The attackers try to complete 5 consecutive passes.
- If the defenders win possession, they switch roles with the attackers.
- Once a team completes 5 consecutive passes, the rondo defenders must stop trying to win the ball.
- The attackers then take on the defenders inside the penalty box and try to score. They can pass, dribble, or shoot from wherever they like.
- Encourage the attackers to be smart regarding their positional play, using their numerical mismatch to make space and create a high percentage of goal-scoring chances.
- After each round, the attackers and defenders switch roles.
- If there are more groups, rotate them after each round.
Drill Variations
- Limit the number of touches for attacking players.
- Add extra defenders to increase the difficulty for attackers.
- Create a competition to see which team can score the most goals.
- Scale this drill up or down depending on the number of available players.
4v4 to Mini-Goals (no GK): Soccer Drill
- Age Range: 4-10
- Length of Session: 3 min games, up to 15 mins
- Number of Players: 6,8,10
- Skills to Learn: game decisions, passing vs. dribbling, 1v1 situations
- Equipment: regular cones, mini-goals/pug goals or large cones, pinnies, or different colored shirts.
Description: Allow kids to compete in 4v4 small-sided games up to 3 mins long.
Drill Set-up:
- Set up the field based on the age of players. For younger players, 4-6, make a field about 15x 20 meters. For older groups, make the field a bit larger.
- Set up multiple fields if you have a large group.
- Use cones to create the outline of the field.
- Set up either mini-goals, pugg goals, or large cones as the goals.
- Split the players into even teams of 4, and give each team a color.
Drill Instructions:
- Play 3 min games to the mini-goals.
- Define how players earn points. You can create unique rules to shift the focus and practice different things. For example, you could make a 1-touch finish worth 2 points for older kids.
- Keep the simple focus for kids 4-6, emphasizing taking the ball from the other team but not your team. Also, guide them to stay spread out and communicate.
- For older kids, emphasize decision-making between passing and dribbling.
- You can also use larger goals and add a GK for older kids, ages 9-10.
3 v 3 Quick Rotations: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: 3 v 3 Quick Rotations
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: All age groups
- Number of players: 9 (minimum)
- Skills learned: Transitional defending, quick attacking, passing, movement
- Equipment: 6 cones, 2 mini goals, 1 ball
Drill Setup
- Create a 20-yard long, 10-yard wide, cone grid as your playing field.
- Set up 2 mini goals, with one on either end of the field.
- Divide the team into groups of 3.
- 2 groups compete against each other at a time.
- The other groups wait in line outside the playing grid.
- Designate 1 team as the attackers and 1 as the defenders.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, the attacking team tries to score on their opponents, using quick passing, movement, and dribbling.
- The defenders try to stop them from scoring and attempt to win possession.
- As soon as the ball is turned over, the defenders become the attackers.
- The next group in line quickly enters the playing field to defend against the attack.
- The previous attackers leave the field and wait for their turn to play again.
- All players on the sideline must pay attention to the live game, ensuring they get into their defensive positions as quickly as possible.
- The drill recycles naturally, round after round.
- Coaches should stop playing occasionally to offer players instructions or advice.
Drill Variations
- Set a scoring time limit for the team in possession
- Limit individual touches to 2 or 3 per possession.
- Mark a small area next to each goal. Players can only score from inside this zone.
- Set scoring targets for attackers.
4 v 4 Wing Play: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: 4 v 4 Wing Play
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 8 (minimum)
- Skills learned: Positioning, passing, movement, awareness
- Equipment: 12 cones, 1 ball, 2 goals
Drill Setup
- Create a 20-yard long, 15-yard wide, cone grid as your playing field.
- Create a channel, 3 yards wide, on either sideline using cones.
- Set up 2 goals, placing 1 on either end of the field.
- Divide the team into groups of 4.
- 2 groups compete against each other at a time.
- Each group designates 1 player to occupy their right-sided channel. No other players are allowed to enter the sideline channels.
Drill Instructions
- The coach elects 1 team to start with the ball.
- On the coach’s signal, the drill goes live. The teams compete in a regular 4 v 4 game, with each team trying to outscore the other.
- The designated channel players can move along the sideline but they cannot leave the channel.
- The other players may not enter the sideline channels.
- The teams are encouraged to use their wingers to set up attacks, creating overloads and crossing opportunities from wide areas.
- The first team to score 3 goals is the winner.
- Mix up teams after each game.
- If you have enough players, create multiple teams and rotate them between games.
Drill Variations
- Switch wingers to the opposite side, focusing on attacking from the left sideline.
- Introduce a rule, forcing teams to pass to their winger at least once before they are allowed to score.
- Set a minimum pass rule before teams can score.
- Limit individual touches to 2 or 3 per possession.
- Set a scoring time limit for attacking teams.
4 v 4 End Line Playmaking: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: 4 v 4 End Line Playmaking
- Session Length: 10 to 15 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 8 (minimum)
- Skills learned: Positioning, give-and-go passing, movement, finishing
- Equipment: 6 cones, 1 ball, 4 mini goals
Drill Setup
- Create a 20-yard long, 15-yard wide, cone grid as your playing field.
- Place 2 goals near the corner flags on either end of the field.
- Divide the team into groups of 4.
- 2 groups compete against each other at a time.
- Each group must elect 1 player to stand between the opposition’s goal posts along the end line. The rest of the players are free to move around as they please.
- The coach chooses a team to start in possession.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, the game goes live and the teams compete in a regular 4 v 4 game.
- The goal of the drill is to outscore the opposition.
- The players standing between the posts can move along the end-line but may not move onto the field or past the goalposts. They are not allowed to score.
- A team may only score if they play 2 passes through their end-line player in a single possession. The passes don’t have to be consecutive.
- Encourage players to make give-and-go passes and create patient buildup play, simulating real game scenarios.
- The first team to score 5 goals is the winner.
- Mix up teams after each game.
- If you have enough players, create multiple teams and rotate them between games.
Drill Variations
- Create a tournament if you have enough players.
- Set a minimum pass to rule before teams can score.
- Limit individual touches to 2 per possession.
- Consider increasing the mandatory number of passes to the end-line players before a team can score.
4-Goal 4 v 4: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: 4-Goal 4 v 4
- Session Length: 10 to 15 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 8 (minimum)
- Skills learned: Switching the play, range of passing, positioning, tackling, communication.
- Equipment: 6 cones, 1 ball, 4 mini goals
Drill Setup
- Create a 20-yard long, 30-yard wide, cone grid as your playing field.
- Set up 3 mini goals along both end lines with an equal distance between each.
- Divide the team into groups of 4.
- 2 groups compete against each other at a time.
- Each team lines up in front of their end line.
- The coach begins with the ball.
Drill Instructions
- To start the drill, the coach kicks the ball onto the field. The coach can choose to play the ball into space, between 2 players, or in the air.
- Both teams must react quickly to compete for possession. Once the game is live, the teams compete in a regular 4 v 4 game, trying to outscore each other. However, each team can score into 1 of 4 goals.
- The idea of this drill is for teams to use the full width of the field, switching the play and creating space using movement and clever positioning.
- The first team to score 5 goals is the winner.
- Rotate groups between games or mix players to allow different teammates to work together.
Drill Variations
- Since the idea of this drill is to exploit space in wide areas, setting a minimum number of passes rule can be counterproductive. Instead, consider making a rule prohibiting teams from scoring the same goal on 2 consecutive plays.
- Limit individual touches to 2 per possession.
- Create a tournament if you have enough players.
- For advanced players, consider increasing the width of the field.
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.
Share the post "Large Groups Soccer Drills (Adaptable Sessions)"
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.