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Moving during soccer is one of the biggest factors in winning. It’s easy for the opposition if you stay in the same place – they know you’re not going to affect the game.
You will score more goals by being on the move. Some strikers need to make 10 runs before they get a chance on goal. Improve your gameplay with these moving-to-the-ball drills.
Moving To The Ball Soccer Drills + Without The Ball
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.
Short Pass, Long Pass: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Short Pass, Long Pass
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: All age groups
- Number of players: 4 to 16
- Skills learned: first-time passing, ball control, long-distance passing,
- Equipment: 1 ball (per group), 4 cones (per group)
Drill Setup
- Create a 4 cone passing grid that spans the width of the training field.
- Place 2 cones 5 yards apart along the left wing sideline.
- Place 2 parallel cones 5 yards apart along the right wing sideline.
- Assign 4 players to the grid, with 1 player lining up next to each cone.
- Create as many passing grids as you need to include all players.
- If you don’t have enough space for multiple grids, rotate groups every minute.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts by playing a quick one-two return pass with P2.
- After receiving the return, P1 opens their body, taking their first touch toward P3 on the opposite wing.
- P1 then plays a long pass to P3.
- P1 and P2 switch positions.
- P3 takes the necessary amount of touches to control the pass (as few as possible).
- P3 plays a quick one-two return pass with P4.
- After receiving the return, P3 opens their body, taking their first touch toward P2 on the opposite wing.
- P3 then plays a long pass to P2.
- P3 and P4 switch positions.
- Repeat the drill, focusing on accurate, controlled passing, and good first touches.
Drill Variations
- Get players to switch sides.
- Focus on weak foot passing for several rounds.
- Get groups to compete against each other by counting how many complete passes they make within the time frame.
2 v 2 Inside The Box: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: 2 v 2 Inside The Box
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 8 (minimum)
- Skills learned: Marking, tackling, and blocking
- Equipment: 1 ball, 1 goal
Drill Setup
- This drill takes place in the penalty box.
- If you have a goalkeeper, set up a full-size goal. If not, create a small 5-yard goal using cones.
- Split the team into pairs.
- 1 pair is designated as the defensive team (D1 + D2) and another as the attacking team (P1 + P”).
- D1 + D2 and P1 + P2 begin the drill inside the penalty box.
- The attackers start with their back to goal.
- The defenders mark them appropriately.
- At least 3 players from the remaining groups line up outside the penalty box, one of them starting with the ball.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, the game goes live.
- P1 and P2 attempt to get free to receive the ball from the player outside the box.
- D1 and D2 mark the attackers closely, trying to stop them from receiving the outside pass.
- The attackers and defenders must stay inside the box.
- When the attackers receive the ball, they work together and try to score.
- The defenders attempt to stop them.
- The attackers can pass to the players outside the penalty box to recycle possession.
- The players outside the penalty box cannot shoot or score.
- The round is over if the attackers score, shoot the ball wide or over the crossbar, or if the defenders win possession.
- The pair that wins the round continues as the defensive team.
Drill Variations
- Create a time limit for each round.
- Limit the number of times the attackers can recycle possession with the outside group.
- Add a third attacker to make things difficult for the defense.
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.
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.
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.
One-Touch Passing and Shooting: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: One-touch passing and shooting
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: 10+
- Number of players: 3 to 18
- Skills learned: One touch passing, first touch, crossing, first time finishing
- Equipment: 1 ball, 3 cones, 1 goal
Drill Setup
- Use the penalty box and the width of the training field for this drill.
- Set up a full-size goal. If you have a goalkeeper, this drill can double as saving practice.
- Place 1 cone centrally, approximately 5 yards outside of the penalty box.
- Place 2 more cones next to either sideline, in line with the first cone.
- Divide the team into groups of 3. Each group lines up behind a cone.
- P1 begins at the central cone with the ball at their feet.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by playing a long pass to P2.
- As soon as the first pass is played, P3 starts to run toward the box.
- P2 takes a good first touch toward the endline or penalty box.
- P2 times the run of P3 and crosses the ball to them, aiming for their feet or head.
- P3 shoots or heads the ball first time on goal.
- If you have a goalkeeper, instruct them not to compete for the crosses. They should only attempt to save the shots.
- After the round, P1 joins P2’s line, P2 joins P3’s line, and P3 joins P1’s line.
Drill Variations
- Switch the crossing angle to the opposite side of the field.
- Set scoring targets for the team.
- Instruct P1 to vary the height of their initial passes so P2 and P3 can practice their first touch and ball control with their feet, knees, and chest.
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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.
