Soccer drills
Choose an activity you can explain quickly and adapt while your players are moving.
Where to start
Start with the player count and the skill you want to see in a game. Each drill includes a starting setup, instructions, a simpler version, a progression, and an observation to help you coach it. Space and timings are suggestions. Adjust them to your group instead of forcing the group to fit the diagram.
67 resources
Gate explorer dribbling
Gate explorer dribbling: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Traffic light soccer
Traffic light soccer: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Island hopping ball control
Island hopping ball control: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Mirror dribbling in pairs
Mirror dribbling in pairs: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Treasure delivery dribbling game
Treasure delivery dribbling game: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Ball-safe dribbling tag
Ball-safe dribbling tag: a practical youth soccer activity for 5–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Four-corner turning box
Four-corner turning box: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Stop-start escape
Stop-start escape: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Inside-outside touch lane
Inside-outside touch lane: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Sole-roll gate changes
Sole-roll gate changes: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Pullback and find space
Pullback and find space: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Two-gate 1v1 attack
Two-gate 1v1 attack: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Side-on shielding and release
Side-on shielding and release: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Turn away from a chasing defender
Turn away from a chasing defender: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Slalom with a decision
Slalom with a decision: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
1v1 with a supporting passer
1v1 with a supporting passer: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Partner gate passing
Partner gate passing: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Pass and follow a triangle
Pass and follow a triangle: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–6 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Pass and move into the empty corner
Pass and move into the empty corner: a practical youth soccer activity for 3 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Pass through the river
Pass through the river: a practical youth soccer activity for 5–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Passing with a traveling partner
Passing with a traveling partner: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Give-and-go around a defender
Give-and-go around a defender: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Three-player overlap decision
Three-player overlap decision: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Switch the point of attack
Switch the point of attack: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
3v1 keep-away with open angles
3v1 keep-away with open angles: a practical youth soccer activity for 4 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
4v2 keep-away with a split option
4v2 keep-away with a split option: a practical youth soccer activity for 6 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Pass into an end zone
Pass into an end zone: a practical youth soccer activity for 6–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Use a bounce player to keep possession
Use a bounce player to keep possession: a practical youth soccer activity for 5–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
First touch through an exit gate
First touch through an exit gate: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Receive across the body
Receive across the body: a practical youth soccer activity for 3 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Check away, then show for the ball
Check away, then show for the ball: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Receive with a defender on your shoulder
Receive with a defender on your shoulder: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Scan and call before receiving
Scan and call before receiving: a practical youth soccer activity for 3 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Half-turn to connect two teammates
Half-turn to connect two teammates: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–6 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Ground finishing through target gates
Ground finishing through target gates: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Pass, set, and finish
Pass, set, and finish: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Finish after an angled approach
Finish after an angled approach: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Follow your shot for a second chance
Follow your shot for a second chance: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Cutback pass and finish
Cutback pass and finish: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
2v1 to a finish
2v1 to a finish: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
1v1 defending: slow the attacker
1v1 defending: slow the attacker: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Defend a side channel
Defend a side channel: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Pressure and cover in 2v2
Pressure and cover in 2v2: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Intercept a passing lane
Intercept a passing lane: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–6 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Recover toward the goal
Recover toward the goal: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Defend two goals together
Defend two goals together: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Win the ball, then find a teammate
Win the ball, then find a teammate: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
3v2 transition waves
3v2 transition waves: a practical youth soccer activity for 7–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Four-goal transition game
Four-goal transition game: a practical youth soccer activity for 6–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Counterattack to an end zone
Counterattack to an end zone: a practical youth soccer activity for 6–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Find a wide supporting player
Find a wide supporting player: a practical youth soccer activity for 6–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Switch through a supporting teammate
Switch through a supporting teammate: a practical youth soccer activity for 6–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Third-player passing run
Third-player passing run: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–9 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Create a support triangle in 3v3
Create a support triangle in 3v3: a practical youth soccer activity for 6–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Goalkeeper set position and ground collection
Goalkeeper set position and ground collection: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–6 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Goalkeeper roll distribution
Goalkeeper roll distribution: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Goalkeeper as a passing option
Goalkeeper as a passing option: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Goalkeeper movement as the ball travels
Goalkeeper movement as the ball travels: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–6 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Two options for a throw-in
Two options for a throw-in: a practical youth soccer activity for 3–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Practice a short corner option
Practice a short corner option: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Build out from a goal kick
Build out from a goal kick: a practical youth soccer activity for 5–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Keep the ball after kickoff
Keep the ball after kickoff: a practical youth soccer activity for 6–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Buddy ball confidence challenge
Buddy ball confidence challenge: a practical youth soccer activity for 2–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
2v2 with quick restarts
2v2 with quick restarts: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
3v2 possession with a safe outlet
3v2 possession with a safe outlet: a practical youth soccer activity for 5–10 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Color-gate scanning game
Color-gate scanning game: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–12 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.
Find space before a finishing pass
Find space before a finishing pass: a practical youth soccer activity for 4–8 players, with setup, instructions, easier and harder variations.