Latest Soccer Drills by SoccerXpert

The Flag Game - Dribbling in Tight Spaces

Chris Johnson — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:11:50 GMT

Drill Objective: This soccer drill is designed to focus on young soccer players learning to dribble in tight spaces. This will help young players keep their eyes up and to become aware of their surroundings. This soccer drill also helps players keep close possession while dribbling.

Drill Setup: Create a grid that is approximately 10X25 yards.Randomly scatter flags within the grid. To begin the drill, add two less flag than the number of players you have. Each player should begin inside the grid with a ball.

Drill Instructions: Instruct the players to dribble around freely inside the grid avoiding other players and flags. The congestion of the players and flags will cause the player to constantly look up to check their surroundings. When the coach yells "STOP", each of the players must race to a free flag as quickly as possible. The first player to reach the flag 5 consecutive times wins the game.

Drill Variations:

Reduce the number of flags.
Instead of keeping score, make the players do some minor form of punishment like push-ups, star-jumps, sit-ups. Make sure the action is age appropriate.
Restrict the players to only use a certain part of the foot or dribbling technique.

Drill Coaching Points:

Make sure the player is constantly lifting their head and checking their surroundings. This will help players find space and avoid other players.
Make sure players keep the ball close to them while in congested areas. This will help them move the ball more quickly to avoid other players and obstructions.
Encourage players to use all parts of their feet while dribbling (inside, outside, top, bottom).

Jam-Packed Soccer Dribbling Drill

Chris Johnson — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:58:28 GMT

Drill Objective: This soccer dribbling drill will give players confidence while dribbling through congested areas on the soccer field.

Drill Setup: To begin this drill, create a circle with disc cones that is approximately 20 yards in circumference. Make sure each player has a ball, and instruct them to line up around the outside of the circle.

Drill Instructions: Have the players begin the soccer drill by dribbling around the outside of the circle all in the same direction. The coach should inform the players to listen for certain queues and perform those actions once the coach shouts the command. These commands are:

JOG - players should dribble at a comfortable speed
FULL SPEED - players should dribble at their top speed
CUT - players should cut the ball in the other direction and travel in the other direction around the circle
CROSS - all players should cur across the grid avoiding contact with other players or other players balls.

Drill Variations: Think of other commands to add to the drill.

Drill Coaching Points:

Since all 4 players should be entering the center area at the same time make sure players are looking ahead of them with their head up.
Remind players to keep the ball close when entering the traffic area.
Have players start playing with their arms up and out for balance and shielding
Instruct players to dribble with both feet and all parts of the foot.
This is a fun soccer drill, so make sure to HAVE FUN!

Soccer Ball Smash

Chris Johnson — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:16:45 GMT

Drill Objective: This soccer drill will focus on the player who is just learning to pass, as this drill will focus on passing accuracy.

Drill Setup: Set up a large grid approximately 40X50 yards. Pair up each of the players and make sure each player has a ball. The two partners should stand near to each other inside the grid but spread away from other groups of players when starting this drill.

Drill Instructions: Instruct player 1 to pass his ball forward. After Player 1's ball stops moving, player 2 then passes their ball at player 1's ball in attempt to hit player 1's ball. If player 2 misses, then player 1 tries to hit player 2's ball from where it landed previously. Each time a player hits their opponents ball, they collect a point.

The first player to 5 wins that match.

Drill Variations:

Alternate the groups and repeat.

Limit players to passing with certain parts of the foot: inside, outside, instep

Drill Coaching Points:

Make sure the players are striking the ball with the correct surface of the foot.

make sure the weight of the pass is good

watch the plant foot to make sure it is pointing to it's target.

Extreme Tag

Chris Johnson — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:41:17 GMT

Drill Objective: This is a FUN soccer drill that focuses on young soccer players dribbling skills and aids in player awareness. It is a great drill that causes players to change directions quickly to find space and avoid being tagged. This game is bit harder than Soccer Tag.

Drill Setup: Create a grid approximately 20X20 depending on the number of players. Each player should have their own soccer ball.

Drill Instructions: With this drill, the players are dribbling around in the grid trying to avoid a tag from the other players. However, the tag must be made below the players knee in order to receive credit for the tag. Each successful tag below the knee will result in a point being awarded to the tagging player. If the player gets tagged, a point is subtracted from their total. The first player to 5 wins that round. Play a couple rounds depending on the length of time each game takes.

Drill Variations: NA

Drill Coaching Points:

Make sure players are dribbling with their head up

Instruct players to find open space.

Players will want to leave their ball when being chased, so make sure the players keep their ball in close control.

Make sure the kids have FUN!

Soccer End Zone Game

Chris Johnson — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 14:04:54 GMT

Drill Objective: The soccer end zone game is a great soccer drill that will help coaches focus on all aspects of attacking and defending in soccer. With encorportating end zones into the game it gives players a chance to learn to attack space behind the defense and allows defenders to learn how to deny space behind them.

Drill Setup: Create a 50X30 yard grid with 5 yard end zones on each end of the field. Split the team into 2 evenly matched teams

Drill Instructions: A team scores a goal by getting the ball from one end zone (by passing or dribbling into the zone) and immediately attacking the end zone and gaining possession in the end zone on the opposite end. If the other team wins the ball before they are able to successfully gain possession in both end zones no point should be awarded.

Drill Variations:

Limit the number of touches.

Drill Coaching Points:

Focus on basic passing, moving, support.
Focus on basic defending and attacking skills.
Focus on quick counter attacks.