Basic soccer drills focus on skills and techniques young, beginning soccer players need to learn. Soccer drills vary according to age group and the following list of drills are designed for the younger or “newer” soccer player. Many soccer drills are miniature games in and of themselves. Making soccer drills and exercises fun during practice will improve player attendance, and will improve the overall attitude of your team.

Dribbling: “Dribble Across a Square”

Mark a square clearly on the ground that is approximately five to six adult steps in diameter. Each of the team players are given his/her own soccer ball and instructed to dribble across the square without touching anyone else’s ball but his/her own. Once the child gets across, he/she should dribble back. More and more players should gradually enter and cross the square. As in many soccer drills, repetition is the key. This is one of the soccer drills to help make children concentrate on the direction they are headed in and where other players are in relation to them, otherwise called “traffic”.

Ball Control: “Driving School”

You will need a lot of space (at least 20 square yards) to play this game and complete this drill. Similar to many soccer drills, every player has his/her own ball. By making sure everyone has their own ball during soccer drills, you will give them responsibility and they will be less likely to lose interest in watching others practice as they observe. In this drill, you (the coach) are the “driving instructor”. The players must do exactly what you say as you teach them how to drive and stop when you say. Any player that doesn’t do immediately as you say is out. Play for two minutes before restarting. This drill teaches ball control (dribbling, how to stop the ball with the foot, pullbacks, using the outside of each feet).

Description:

1. Go-start dribbling

2. Stop-stop the ball with a foot on top

3. Slow-slow down pace of dribbling

4. Speed Up-dribble faster

5. Turn Right-push the ball with the outside of the foot towards the right and dribble in that direction

6. Turn Left-follow the same instructions as Turn Right with left as the dribbling direction

7. Pull Back and Go the Other Way-use the bottom of the foot to pull the ball in a backwards direction, and then turn to dribble that way.

Ball Control: “Tick Tock”

Soccer drills should be made both fun and enjoyable, so children will stay interested in the game. Another one of the most popular soccer drills is this one, which also teaches ball control. This drill begins with everyone having a ball placed between the legs with the knees at a bent angle. When you say “Go” every play will drop the ball, and tap the ball between his/her feet from side to side like the tick tock of a clock. Every tap counts as one point. The first child to reach 20 points (or taps) is the winner.

These three drills are just a few examples of the many skills to teach young beginning soccer players some basic skills. These drills will also teach skills and help a child to completely comprehend the skills they learn.