101 great youth soccer drills free download

No matter how experienced or inexperienced you are, you will not leave this book on the shelf once you have scanned the comprehensive contents and seen the easy-to-use format. This book is organized from the simple to the complex, using a building-block sequence.

The information here is a result of more than 25 years of coaching youth soccer. Many of the drills and exercises are not original but have been picked up over the years and found to be the most effective in developing skills.

There are many soccer books on the market, but very few take into consideration that you, the coach, do not have access to a wide array of equipment for training. Nor do you have an excessive amount of time. One book I read said to use a foot-long wall, three feet high, and in another section it talked about the sandpit for goalkeeper training.

These are not normally on the fields used to teach youth soccer. All of the equipment and field areas used for the drills in this book are easily available. Coaching soccer can be fun. If you know what to do and your team is performing well, it is a lot of fun. This book provides the information that you need to start coaching and produce a real soccer team, making soccer enjoyable for you and the players.

My soccer philosophy is that success is measured by a team that plays well together, has fun, and learns soccer and athletic skills. The greater the degree of each of these three components, the greater the odds your team will be a winning team.

Soccer is a game that allows every child to have fun and be part of a team. Size, shape, and special talent are not the key factors. Teams range from playing for fun to highly competitive. Every child can find a place in soccer. You, the coach, must decide on the balance for your team and, more important, what kind of coach you want to be.

Remember, soccer is more than just another athletic sport. It is an opportunity for children to socialize in a safe, structured environment. It is a chance for families to enjoy activities together and give life-critical support to children developing confidence and a sense of identity. The more fun you make the game for the players and the more conducive you make the game for the whole family, the more successful you and your team will be.

You are the most important aspect of youth soccer. You are the coach. Mark and Craig are the ideal editors. They know what is needed and are straight and to the point. They are a real asset for an author. They took a chance on a beginning writer and worked hard to get my book published.

Another big thank-you has to go to my children, Denise, Jay, and Tony. They allowed me to be their coach and let me spend time with them. Last but certainly not least is my wife, Mary.

She is my most ardent fan and strictest critic. She reviews everything, and without her this book would not have been possible. This page intentionally left blank. Your players must build strengths needed for the game. The drills in this book are all designed not only to teach the skills but also to develop cardiac endurance and strength. Teaching the basics through the use of drills in practice must be done as a stair-step process. Every practice must start with warm-up and stretch, progress into the teaching of technique training and drills, and then move into drills that teach game tactics.

This chapter addresses how to run a practice and then focuses on the first step in that process. Overall Practice Objectives Each practice must have a specific objective.

Concentrate on one or two skills per week. Make a practice schedule that covers different drills per week. Once you have started playing the games, do the drills required to highlight the skills that you notice your team is lacking during game play.

Fitness is a must. Many games are won at the end when the other team wears out. Make sure your fitness activities are drills that include the soccer ball as much as you can. Building endurance is necessary to fully compete. Soccer builds different muscular strength from what is required in other sports, and you must focus on what is needed for soccer.

Controlling the mind is a must to control the body through fitness. Strength lets players jump, run, and move quickly. Quick reaction time is helpful to think quickly and then execute the desired move. When you set up the teams, or groups, to compete against each other, use Team A or B, not 1 or 2. Children learn early that it is important to be number one, and they feel put down, or not worthy, if they are number two. Note: Make sure each player brings a ball to practice. This gives the players the opportunity to learn how to stay in step by following your guidance and count.

It is also impressive to have your team run around the field, prior to playing the game, in perfect formation. The opposing team will see this, and you will have a slight edge. Preparation: This uses the whole team. Execution: Have all members of the team run, two abreast, staying in step.

Cadence and actions should be called by yourself for the younger teams and by the goalkeeper for the older teams. After the team has learned to run in formation, you can easily add aspects that enhance the warm-up run, teach soccer skills, and make it fun. You can use anything that incorporates soccer skills.

Running in Formation Sometimes the players will have some of their own they may want to do. This makes the running more interesting and contributes to the warm-up of the players. Preparation: This uses the whole team, each player with a ball. Execution: Have one person start dribbling, and have all of the other players follow the person in front of them, staying in a single-file line.

Figure 1. The leader can dribble, jump, roll, do a somersault, etc. The players who follow must dribble the ball and do the same things the leader does. Pick out an outgoing player or use the assistant coach to lead the pack.

As the coach, you must watch and correct the dribbling, jumping, etc. This drill is fun, and the more the players do it, the better their control of the ball. The players may be awkward at first and may have trouble keeping the ball moving and going in a straight line.

That will disappear as they become more proficient. This develops touch on the ball, balance, and agility. Execution: Have the player place the ball on the ground, to his right side. Then have him roll the ball straight down the field in the direction he is facing by pointing his right foot sideways and rolling it over the top of the ball from back to front. This needs to be continuous movement.

Do not let the player stop running while rolling the ball with his foot. Emphasize going straight for 20 or more yards. When the player reaches the distance you have established, have him return down the field using his left foot.

Karaoke This drill covers just about everything you want a soccer player to do. It may be difficult for the player at first, but it becomes easy as it is repeated.

All soccer players must learn to run, handle the ball, and keep their balance. This drill is the granddaddy of all drills to develop those skills. This is great for teaching agility, balance, touch, and movement of the ball and for building cardiac endurance.

Execution: Walk the player through the routine prior to actual practice. Have the player place the ball in front and just outside of her left foot. Then have the player place her right foot so her heel is even with the middle of the ball, on the back side of the ball. Using her right foot, she should go behind the left leg and tap the ball with the instep of the right foot, causing the ball to roll forward.

The left foot should not move. After the maneuver is completed, reverse the action and kick with the left foot. Have the player place the ball in front and just outside of the right foot. Then have the player place her left foot so her heel is even with the middle of the ball, on the back side of the ball. Using her left foot, she should go behind the right leg and tap the ball with the instep of the left foot, causing the ball to roll forward.

The right foot should not move. Have all the players walk through this using both feet. When they have the concept down, have them slowly move down the field doing the maneuver by switching feet every other touch left-right-left, etc.

As they improve their skill, pick up the speed until they have a fluid movement. Speed is not a requirement, but constant fluid motion is. Stretching After performing slow running drills to warm up, stretching is the next exercise.

Have the players stand in a circle, and either you or your captain s stand in the center and direct the stretching exercises. Have them go to the left and touch their toes hold the position; this is static only, no bouncing. If players cannot touch their toes, have them bend as far as they can. Repeat this to the right and then the center. When stretching to the center, have the players reach down and back, in between their legs, as close to the ground as they can.

Left Right Center Figure 1. The knee will be pointing directly toward the ground. The player will press the heel of his foot against his rear end with his hands, while standing on one foot. Repeat with left leg. Any Figure 1. If he looks straight down, he will have trouble keeping his balance. Lean into Legs Execution: Have the players stand with their legs apart.

Then have them turn toward the right or left, keeping their legs apart with their feet pointing in the direction they are facing. Then Left have them lean forward placing their stomach against the top of the forward leg, which is bent. Using alternate feet right then left , have them lift one foot at a time and place the sole of the tip of their shoe on Left Right the ball. Have them start slowly by just touching the ball, and as they develop their balance, pick up the speed until there is Toe Taps, Alternating Feet constant movement.

Make sure they do not slap the ball with their feet, just tap it lightly. This develops balance, coordination, agility, and touch and is a good cardiovascular drill.

Touch Ball with Knee Preparation: This drill requires that each player have a ball. Then have them lift the leg that is closest to the ball behind them and hold it with their hands. Then players will go straight down on one leg and touch the ball with their knee. After touching the ball, have the players lift themselves back up. Do this with both legs.

Jump over Ball Preparation: This drill requires that each player have a ball. Execution: Have the players put the ball to their right or left side all do the same so it is against their foot. Do this left, right, forward, and backward. Note that when you start this, some of the players may land on the ball and fall. This drill is good Figure 1.

Back to Back Preparation: This drill requires one ball for every two players. Execution: Have pairs of players stand with their backs to each other. Give a ball to one of the players, and have her lift the ball up over her head while the other player lifts his hands to take the ball. The player with the ball hands the ball to the other player, who then takes the ball, bends over, and passes it to the other player between the legs. Keep this action moving as steadily and as quickly as possible while maintaining control.

This allows the players to stretch all of the muscles while working together. This is fun and stretches the arms, legs, back, and stomach muscles. Execution: Have the players place the ball in front of them. Call out a part of the body that the players should use to touch the ball. This gets the players to bend and stretch their arms, legs, back, and stomach muscles.

The jumper places the ball between his feet and jumps while keeping the ball in place. This provides cardiovascular endurance, leg strength, and a sense of timing. Line Jump Preparation: This drill requires numerous cones. Execution: Place cones in a straight line about three to five feet apart. Have players run and jump over the cones. After they finish, they can rest while they walk back to the starting point.

After the players get in Figure 1. Place the cones in a circle, and have players run and jump until you blow the whistle for them to stop. This provides cardiovascular endurance and leg strength. Animal Preparation: This drill requires four cones and a ball for each player.

Execution: Have players place the ball in front of them. Then have them get on their hands and knees. Set up two cones for a start area and two for a stop area about 10 yards apart , and have the players push the ball with their head, having a race. As they get better, change to having them stand on their hands and feet just hands and feet touching the ground, no knees touching and roll the soccer ball with their head.

You can make this any animal you want. You can have them be an elephant using their nose , or a dog using their head , etc. This builds leg and arm strength and limited cardiovascular endurance. Note: To prevent dehydration, you must have constant water breaks. You will not be running as much as the players will be, so keep a close watch on them. Different people call them by different names.

These techniques are the lowest level of training. They are used to develop the basic soccer skills needed by each player but do not get into actual game conditions. Building a strong foundation is necessary. As with building a house, the stronger the foundation, the bigger and more varied the house can be. These foundation skills are a must for every player. These are intermediate or midlevel techniques that are necessary to tie the foundation skills to the game skills.

These are the actual skills needed for playing the game. These teach the players to be able to conduct themselves during games. Note: The letters F, I, and G will be used in the drills to identify the skill level that is being taught. Use the demonstration-performance method following a simple teaching format: introduction, body, and conclusion. To learn, one must be told how to, be shown how to, and then practice how to.

A suggested easy-to-use format follows. Remember, the younger the player, the shorter the attention span. Do not kick it.

Tell players how they did and make any overall corrections that are required. Remember that all children like to have fun, and the more fun you make it, the happier they will be and the more eager to learn soccer. Each of the drills in this section is set up so they can stand alone— you do not have to follow the sequence of the book. Go with the order of skills and techniques you want your team to learn. These are general practice drills and do not include the teaching of the skill.

After the drill has been taught, these drills can be used to add fun to the practice. Each drill explanation includes a statement of what the drill accomplishes.

Lay out cones to limit the area. Also tell the players on the ground that they can move only as far as they can reach. They cannot crawl or jump at the other players. After the players have run the turtle field four or five times, switch the players and repeat. This teaches the players to dribble and control the ball and also to move to open space away from other players. Somersault F Line up all of the players, each with a ball, and have them start to dribble.

When you blow the whistle, have them stop the ball, do a somersault, and then get the ball and continue dribbling. This develops Figure 3. Leapfrog F Put half the team in pairs—two in a row, one in front of the other, about three to five yards apart. Have those players get on the ground on their hands and knees. Give a ball to players on the other half of the team. Have the players with the ball dribble up to those on the ground, pass the ball past the person on the ground to their left or right, leapfrog jump over the player on the ground, run to the ball that they passed, and continue dribbling toward the next player where they again pass the ball and leapfrog over them.

After the players have leapfrogged the other players four or five times, switch the players and repeat. This teaches dribbling and passing and stretches players.

Pass Pass Pass Pass Figure 3. Place a cone five yards in front of and five yards behind each standing player goal. Have the other players start at the cone in front of one of the standing players, dribble up to the player that is standing, and pass the ball through their legs. After the players have shot on goal four or five times, switch the positions of the 17 18 Great Youth Soccer Drills players and repeat.

This teaches dribbling, shooting, and ball control and builds cardiovascular endurance. Same path for all Figure 3. While that player counts, the others start dribbling wherever they want. The tagger must then run and tag each player as they dribble.

Most will dribble slow, or in a small area. Some will go in a straight line and quickly get out of a decent range. This provides cardiovascular endurance and dribbling skills and enables the player doing the tagging to make choices.

Figure 3. You do this by kicking the ball. Kicking with accuracy is necessary in passing and scoring. Note: When kicking the ball toward the goal, do not kick directly to the goalie. Teach this from the beginning. Place two or three cones in the right and left corners of the goal, and have the players shoot at the cones.

The players will have a tendency to see the goalie and kick directly to the goalie. The goalie is the danger area, and all kicks must be away from the goalie to the right or to the left. The Basics 1. Your body should be balanced over the ball with the knee pointing downward toward the ball. To help your players find their sweet spot, have them sit on the ground with their feet in front of them about 6 to 12 inches out from their body. They should be sitting comfortably and able to raise their foot, knee, and leg straight up.

Then have them hold a ball above their head, drop it straight down toward the laces of their shoe, and raise their foot until it meets the ball. When they hit the sweet spot on their foot, the ball will go back up without any spin or rotation.

If they hit the ball too high on the laces, it will spin away from them. If the ball is hit below the sweet spot, it will come back toward them. Hitting to either side of the sweet spot will cause the ball to go right or left away from them. They should repeat this action until they are able to strike the ball and cause it to go straight up and straight back down without any spin or rotation.

Mark this spot on the shoe using chalk or adhesive tape. Do drills using that marked spot on the shoe so the players can get used to hitting on the sweet spot. Do not let players kick with their toe.

If the kick is with the toe and happens be kicked perfectly, it will go straight. If the kick is to the right of center of the toe, the ball will go right; if it is left of center, the ball will be propelled left.

Players cannot kick accurately by using the toe. Execution: Place plastic cones around the field at different distances. Tell the players where to start and which cone is number 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

The players then kick the ball at the cone hole until the cone is hit. Have only one player, per hole, at a time. Concentrate on accuracy. Every time the player kicks the ball counts as one stroke. Players keep their own score, and the person with the lowest score wins. For Under-8 players, if someone scores a hole in one hits the cone on one kick , yell Passing and Kicking Instruction and Drills out his name and tell him how good that was; this compels the others to try harder. This drill teaches accuracy, touch on the ball, and distance and is a fun game.

Execution: Place cones in two parallel rows with a player behind each. The players behind one line of cones make up Team A; the players behind the other line of cones are Team B. The distance between the cones can be close or far start close and then increase the distance as Figure 4. Have Team A kick to the opposite line of cones first and see how many they knock down, and then have Team B kick to their opposite line.

Leave the knocked cones down. The team to knock all of the cones down first wins. This teaches accuracy and proper passing techniques. Through Goal I Preparation: This drill requires cones and one ball for every two players.

Execution: Set up two cones as a goal, approximately three feet apart, and have one player stand on each side of the cones, facing the opening of the cones goal. The players then pass the ball to each other by putting it between the cones.

Vary the distance of the players to the cones, starting short and increasing the distance as they improve. This teaches accuracy and also teaches the receiving player to move to the ball. Figure 4. Have the player throw the ball over her head forward or backward and then run to the ball and shoot on goal. Also, have her throw it between her legs. Having a player throw the ball over her head backward requires her to turn toward the ball and quickly locate the ball, move to the ball, drib- Passing and Kicking Instruction and Drills ble, and then shoot.

Execution: Have players line up in a straight line, one behind another. Then have one player move out into the field, between you and the goal, with his back to the goal. Have the player turn and then move to the ball and either dribble to the goal and shoot, or shoot on goal using a one touch kick only. You can direct one touch or dribble then kick. This teaches the players to pass, receive, and shoot. Coach Figure 4.

Give the first two or three players their own ball. Have the player at the front of the line pass the ball to the coach, who is standing between the line of players and the goal. The coach then deflects passes the ball to the right or left as the player moves to the ball.

The player then shoots on goal. You can direct one touch kick only or dribble then kick. Left foot Coach Right foot Figure 4. Execution: Fill each balloon with water. Place the filled balloons on the ground, and have each player dribble a balloon without breaking it. Set up a start and finish line, using cones, and have the players compete against each other. Emphasize not breaking the balloons. Because the balloons will not roll easily, nor will they go straight, the players have to manage the balloons to get them where they need to go.

This teaches the players proper dribbling technique and is fun. Nevertheless, the kids like this drill, and it does develop great touch on the ball. Regardless of their age, let them try. Preparation: This drill requires a ball for each player. Execution: Have each player place a ball in front of himself close enough to put his foot on the top of the ball.

Have the player place his foot on top of the ball and then roll the foot backward while keeping contact with the ball. This causes the ball to roll toward the player. The player then quickly places his foot on the ground directly in front of the ball as it rolls toward him. As the ball rolls up on his foot, the player lifts his foot and passes the ball down the field.

Let each player keep doing this until he can pass the ball straight. After this is taught, every time you ask the player to throw you the ball, have him use his feet rather than his hands. Player Turn I Preparation: This drill uses three players and two balls. Execution: Put one player in the center, and the other two opposite each other, in front of and behind the center player.

Have the center player turn her back to the outside person passing the ball. This requires the players to pass with both their right and left feet. Rotate players after 25 to 50 passes. This teaches the players to communicate on the field, quickly locate the ball, receive, and pass using both feet.

Weave I Preparation: This uses three players, one ball, and a goal. Execution: Have the three players line up on the centerline or end line with one player in the center and one player on each side. Make sure Passing and Kicking Instruction and Drills the players are at least five yards apart can be farther. The center player 1 passes the ball to the front of the outside person and then runs behind that person, turns, and travels straight down the field.

The player receiving the ball 2 dribbles to the center, and when reaching the center, passes to the front of the other outside person 3 , running behind that person, turning, and going straight down the field.

The player that received the ball 3 dribbles to the center and passes to the outside player 1. This continues all the way down the field. Make sure the players pass to the feet while leading the player and then go behind the person they passed to.

This teaches them to lead their passes, cover the position of the player they passed to, dribble, center, and shoot on goal. Wall Pass G Preparation: This uses three or four players two or three on offense and one on defense and one ball. Execution: Give one of the offensive players the ball. Have the defender facing and about five yards in front of the person with the ball.

Put the other offensive player two or three yards away on the right- or left-hand side of the defender. The offensive player with the ball will dribble toward the defender but just before reaching him will pass the ball to the other offensive player, who is standing beside the defender.

As soon as the player passes the ball, that player will go around the defender on the opposite side of the pass.

The outside offensive player who just received the pass will redirect pass the ball behind the defender. The player who originally passed the ball then receives the pass and continues down the field.

To add a challenge, you can add an offensive player on the other side of the defender so the defender will not know where the pass is going to go. This teaches distance judgment, passing, defense, and touch.

This is called receiving the ball. Trapping the ball is stopping the ball. You can receive the ball with your head, chest, thigh, or foot.

When you see the ball coming, watch the ball, and move in front of it so you are ready to receive the ball. Meet the ball with your foot, and then withdraw your foot move your foot in the direction the ball was going at contact to stop and retain the ball. If you stick your foot straight out and strike the ball, it will go away from you. Control the ball on the ground with no bounce or roll away from you.

Move dribble to open space and play the ball to an open teammate as soon as possible. Figure 5. No matter where the ball is thrown, the player moves that part of her body back upon contact to allow the ball to end its momentum and drop to a position where it can be played. Make sure the ball drops down and does not bounce out. This teaches receiving with all parts of the body. Throw-Trapping F Preparation: This uses the coach or player , one player to receive the ball, and one ball.

Execution: The coach or person throwing the ball throws the ball in the air to the player or rolls it on the ground. No matter where the ball is thrown, the player moves to the ball and places his foot on the ball to stop trap it. When the ball is thrown in the air, have the player watch the ball very closely and place his foot on the ball just as it touches the ground, before it has a chance to bounce. This develops timing and coordination and teaches trapping with the feet.

Execution: Line all of the players on the centerline. The coach kicks the ball into the air or rolls it on the ground. When the ball is kicked, the coach yells out the name of a player to receive the ball. That player moves to the ball and uses whatever proper technique receiving or trapping is required to capture the ball. The player then passes the ball back to the coach.

Caution: warn players not to use their head if the ball is kicked high in the air and has not touched the ground first. This teaches players when to trap, when to receive, and to do so using the proper technique. Coach Figure 5. Download Soccer Pro and start creating your drills today!

Please register your email You can try Sportplan Animator for Free, this download giv The player in the Join now for free. Soccer 4v1 Rotation Possession Four players are placed in a grid with one defender. The four players aim is to keep possession as long as possible.

This soccer drill will help improve your players long and short passing accuracy, improve combination play and encourage them to pass the ball early t The kids need to be concentrated Limited time free download. Regardless of your position on the field, your ability to head the ball may be the deciding factor that can win and lose games.

When a soccer player is strong in the air he has a huge edge over his opponents. As soon as the ball…. Access Heading Drills. Getting and keeping the ball under control is an important skill a football player has to learn and in response to this, an essential skill a coach should teach players….

Access Ball Control Drills. Our experts help you pick the right soccer cleats, equipment, accessories and more based on your age, skill level and goals. However, well-organized and well-prepared teams are often seen beating teams with supposedly more skillful players, even over time.

We built this guide to help modern day coaches with soccer practices , tips, and the basics of youth soccer coaching.

Also you can use our search tool and access the exercises by skill type or age group to narrow down your search results. The site contains technical drills dribbling , passing , finishing , ball control , heading , goalkeeper , tactical attacking , defending , possession games and along with other information related to coaching soccer. It is, by definition, goal oriented.

It is a means to an end. Soccer skills can be developed through repetition, observation or visualization and of course through soccer technique training. With regular soccer technique drills and soccer practice of specific movements or basic soccer techniques, the player builds confidence and the target motion becomes natural to him.

Facebook Pinterest Twitter. Soccer Drills for 9 — 12 Year Olds As kids progress in the game of soccer we move onto slightly more organized drills that are designed to help young players understand some tactical elements. Soccer Drills for 13 to 16 Year Olds We are really picking up the pace of learning and skills as kids hit teenage years.