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To get ahead of the competition, practice soccer on your own when you have some free time. This could be at home in the yard or after training sessions.
Pro players practice soccer individually after normal training hours to focus on an area to improve – you can do the same.
This collection of soccer drills for individuals will improve your passing, control, dribbling, and shooting.
Soccer Drills To Do On Your Own
Basic Cone Weave: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Basic cone weave
- Session Length: 5 to 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1 to 18
- Skills learned: Ball control, dribbling, turning with the ball
- Equipment: 1 ball (minimum), 8 cones
Drill Setup
- This drill requires a minimum 20-yard strip along the training field.
- Place 1 cone to indicate the starting point of the drill.
- Place 1 cone 5 yards from the first to indicate the starting point of the dribbling weave.
- Place a further 5 cones 1 yard apart to complete the dribbling weave section.
- Place the final cone 5 yards from the end of the dribbling weave.
- All players line up behind P1 at the starting point.
- If there are 6 or more players, consider setting up an identical cone weave, and splitting the team into 2 groups.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by dribbling toward the cone weave.
- P1 then dribbles the ball inside and out between the cones until the weave is complete.
- P1 then dribbles around the final cone before completing the weave from the opposite side.
- After rounding the last cone in the weave, P1 passes to P2 and rejoins the end of the line.
- P2 repeats the drill.
- Players should focus on ball control, ensuring they don’t lose possession or trip over the cones.
- Round by round, increase the emphasis on speed.
Drill Variations
- Focus on the right foot dribbling only for a round.
- Focus on left foot dribbling only for a round.
- Focus on right-to-left dribbling for a round.
- Focus on left-to-right dribbling for a round.
- Once the players are comfortable dribbling through the weave, create a competition to see which team or individual completes the drill fastest. Consider introducing time penalties for losing control of the ball.
Dual Station Footwork: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Dual Station Footwork
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1 to 18
- Skills learned: Ball control, dribbling, quick feet, turning
- Equipment: 4 cones (minimum), 1 ball (Cruyff station), 1 ball per player outside Cruyff station
Drill Setup
- This drill consists of 2 stations.
- Set up the Cruyff turn station by creating an inverted square, placing cones 5 yards apart.
- The lateral movement station is simply an open space, large enough for whatever number of players you have to work with individually. Each player requires approximately 5 yards of space.
- If you have 10 or more players, consider setting up multiple Cruyff turn stations.
Drill Instructions
- 2 players participate in the Cruyff drill at a time (left in the image below).
- P1 starts at 1 cone with a ball, while P2 starts at another cone (can’t be the opposite cone to P1).
- P1 and P2 start at the same time by dribbling toward their opposite cones. They must use ball control and footwork to ensure they don’t collide as they cross paths.
- When they reach the opposite cone, P1 and P2 do a Cruyff turn then repeat the drill from the opposite side.
- All other players (right side) have a ball each and work individually in the lateral movement space.
- Each player takes 2 quick, short touches to then right then stop the ball.
- They then roll the ball under their foot from right to left.
- They then repeat the steps from the opposite side.
- Rotate player roles every minute.
Drill Variations
- Change the type of footwork drill in the lateral movement space to focus on other skills. Keepy-uppies, stepovers, and ball drag are good alternatives for this drill.
Dribble to Sprint Square: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Dribble to Sprint Square
- Session Length: 3 to 5 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1 (set up multiple grids for more players)
- Skills learned: Sprinting, dribbling, conditioning
- Equipment: 4 cones, 1 ball
Drill Setup
- Create a 4-cone square grid with each cone placed 10 yards apart.
- Place 1 ball in the center of the grid.
- This drill works best with 1 player but 2 can participate at the same time as long as they work in opposite directions.
- Set up multiple grids for each player or grid.
- This drill works well in conjunction with another team-based drill, ensuring all players are active.
Drill Instructions
- Ensure all players undergo a thorough warmup before all conditioning drills to avoid injury.
- P1 starts with the ball at their feet in the center of the grid.
- P1 dribbles toward, then around a cone before leaving the ball back in the center of the grid.
- As soon as they stop the ball in the center, P1 sprints to the opposite cone around it and then sprint to the center grid.
- P1 collects the ball, turns to their right, then dribbles to the next cone, repeating the entire process.
- The focus of this drill is on speed, improving the players’ conditioning. However, they must also focus on technique, maintaining control of the ball at all times.
Drill Variations
- Focus on the players’ left and right feet each round, ensuring they practice with both.
- Count how many times each player completes a dribble and a sprint. Create a competition to see how many rounds players can complete.
Fitness Course: Soccer Course
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Fitness Course
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1 to 18
- Skills learned: Sprinting, quick feet, lateral movement, back peddling, conditioning
- Equipment: 7 cones, 1 speed ladder, 5 agility poles
Drill Setup
- Set up the drill as shown in the graphic
- The distance between the first 2 cones should be around 10 yards.
- The distance between the end line and the ladder should be around 15 yards.
- The distance between the ladder and the next cone should be 5 yards.
- Create a staggered formation with the agility poles.
- All players line up behind P1 at the first cone.
Drill Instructions
- On the coach’s signal, P1 sprints to the first cone, then side-steps quickly to the cone on their right.
- At the cone, P1 back peddles to the cone behind it.
- P1 rounds the cone and then sprints to the ladder.
- P1 sprints through the ladder, using quick feet and ensuring both feet enter each ladder square.
- P1 sprints, then around the next cone, before gliding through the agility poles.
- After rounding the final agility pole, P1 sprints to the finishing gate.
- P1 rejoins the line.
- All players must complete 5 rounds.
- The next player in line starts the drill when the person ahead hits the ladder section.
Drill Variations
- Depending on fitness levels, reduce or increase the number of rounds each player must perform.
- Create competition by timing each player’s lap. They will have to go one at a time for accurate timekeeping.
4 Cone Wall Passes: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: 4 Cone Wall Passes
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1
- Skills learned: Quick passing, first touch, ball control, weak foot
- Equipment: 4 cones, 1 ball, 1 wall
Drill Setup
- Set up this drill in front of a wall. If you don’t have a wall or hard fence, you can tip a fence on its side and use the seat as the rebounding surface.
- Place 4 cones in a line approximately 1 yard apart, 5 yards from the wall.
- P1 stands on the right side of the cone line with the ball at their feet.
Drill Instructions
- As a warmup and to get accustomed to how the ball rebounds against the wall, P1 should play a number of short wall passes. They should focus on getting the power and placement right, ensuring the ball returns straight to them at a controllable height and pace.
- P1 starts the drill by passing the ball against the wall.
- When the ball returns, P1 takes a touch, taking the ball to the opposite side of the cone before playing the next wall pass.
- P1 repeats the steps until they reach the end of the grid. P1 then completes the drill from the opposite side.
- P1 repeats the entire process 5 times, then takes a 1-minute break before performing the drill a further 2 times (3 times in total).
Drill Variations
- Increase or decrease the distance between the cones and the wall to practice different passing ranges.
- In the beginning, P1 should focus on taking their first touch with the inside of their foot for maximum control. After a while, they can practice using different parts of the foot, like the sole or the outside of the foot.
- Reduce or increase the number of drill repetitions according to the need and skill set of the player.
Back & Forth Wall Passes: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Back & Forth Wall Passes
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1
- Skills learned: Range of passing, first touch, weak foot, movement
- Equipment: 4 cones, 1 ball, 1 wall
Drill Setup
- Set up this drill in front of a wall or fence.
- Place 1 cone, 2 yards from the wall.
- Place 3 more cones, 2 yards apart, in line with the first, creating a perpendicular cone grid to the wall. The final cone should be 8 yards from the wall.
- P1 stands with the ball at their feet at the furthest cone.
Drill Instructions
- P1 should warm up with wall passes to get a feel for how the ball reacts.
- P1 starts to the right of the furthest cone by playing a firm pass against the wall. P1 should try to make sure the ball rebounds to their feet on the same side, without having to alter their position too much.
- When the ball returns, P1 takes a touch, taking the ball to the opposite side of the cone before playing the next wall pass.
- After playing the pass, P1 moves forward toward the next cone before receiving the rebound.
- When the ball returns, P1 takes a touch, taking the ball to the opposite side of the cone before playing the next wall pass.
- P1 then moves forward to the next cone to receive the rebound and play the next pass.
- After reaching the cone closest to the wall, P1 then repeats the drill in reverse.
- P1 completes the entire drill 5 times, takes a 1-minute break, then repeats 2 more times (3 in total).
Drill Variations
- Increase or decrease the distance between the cones and the wall to practice different passing ranges.
- Reduce or increase the number of drill repetitions according to the need and skill set of the player.
Dribbling & Shooting Technique: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Dribbling & Shooting Technique
- Session Length: 10 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1
- Skills learned: Dribbling, skill moves, shooting
- Equipment: 2 cones, 1 ball (minimum), 1 goal
Drill Setup
- Use the penalty box and the surrounding area for this drill.
- Place 1 cone near the center on the edge of the penalty box.
- Place 1 cone 5 yards from the first, toward the centerfield.
- P1 stands at the furthest cone with the ball at their feet.
- If there are multiple balls available, place them between the 2 cones.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts the drill by dribbling directly at the cone on the edge of the penalty box.
- At the cone, P1 shifts to the left or right before taking a shot on goal.
- P1 should focus on shooting with good technique, picking their spot before shooting.
- After shooting, P1 runs back to the starting position, collecting another ball on the way.
- P1 completes the drill 10 times, takes a 1-minute break, then repeats the full routine 2 more times (3 in total).
Drill Variations
- P1 should focus on shooting with both feet.
- P1 practices a skill move at the cone on the edge of the penalty box to simulate beating a defender.
- To improve finishing accuracy, P1 should place cones on the goal line and aim for them. Alternatively, they can use a small goal.
- Change the position of the cones to practice shooting from different angles.
Dribble Weave – Speed Ladder: Soccer Drill
Drill Outline
- Drill Name: Dribble Weave – Speed Ladder
- Session Length: 5 minutes
- Age Group: all ages
- Number of players: 1
- Skills learned: Dribbling, quick feet
- Equipment: 4 cones, 1 ball, 1 speed ladder
Drill Setup
- Place a speed ladder on the ground.
- Set up a 4-cone dribbling weave the same length as the ladder.
- P1 begins at one end of the cone weave.
Drill Instructions
- P1 starts by dribbling through the cone weave.
- When they reach the end, P1 passes the ball lightly between the cone and the ladder from one end to the other.
- As soon as they make the pass, P1 sprints through the speed ladder.
- P1 then collects the ball and dribbles through the cone weave, repeating the drill again.
- P1 completes the drill 10 times, takes a 1-minute break, then repeats the full routine 2 more times (3 in total).
Drill Variations
- Focus on right foot dribbling only for some rotations.
- Focus on left foot dribbling only for some rotations.
- Perform different movements through the speed ladder.
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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.
