Under 10 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises

Y Passing Drill - Variation 3

Develops players' ability to execute quick one-two passes, play accurate long balls, and transition into new positions efficiently. Encourages decision-making and proper body positioning for receiving and distributing passes.

Escape

This drill enhances a player’s ability to move under pressure while maintaining balance and control. It also encourages teamwork and coordination among defenders using their hips to contain the central player.

2v1 with Keepers

Develops attacking players' ability to exploit numerical advantages in a 2v1 situation. Encourages defenders to delay and disrupt play while improving goalkeeper distribution and decision-making.

3v3 Plus Keepers to Full-Size Goals

This drill improves small-group attacking and defending, finishing under pressure, and goalkeeper distribution. It simulates game-like conditions in a compact space, encouraging quick decisions and dynamic play.

4v4 + Keeper to Full-Size Goals

This drill simulates real match conditions by developing players' ability to attack, defend, and transition in small-sided play. It encourages quick decision-making, team communication, and finishing with the added challenge of goalkeepers.

1v1 Corner Escape

This drill sharpens a player’s ability to receive under pressure, recognize defensive cues, and dribble into space. It emphasizes decision-making, ball protection, and breaking away from pressure in tight areas.

3-Man Passing and Moving Warmup

This soccer drill sharpens short-range passing, encourages constant movement after the pass, and prepares players physically and mentally for training. It reinforces clean technique and fitness through repetition.

3-Man Box Passing Warmup

This drill focuses on teaching players how to open up their body, scan the field, and play accurate passes while moving continuously. It helps reinforce technical habits that translate directly to in-game situations.

Breaking Ball Combination Drill

This drill teaches players how to play accurate breaking balls into space and make well-timed runs to receive them. Players will work on combination play through quick 1-2 passes, then focus on the weight and timing of through balls. The receiving player learns when to make their run and how to time it with the pass. This drill builds the connection between passer and runner that's crucial in breaking down defenses during games.

4v4+2 Endzone Possession Game

This drill develops players' ability to keep possession under pressure while moving the ball quickly and effectively. Players learn to scan the field, find open teammates in different zones, and make smart decisions about when to pass and when to dribble. The endzone players teach awareness of supporting options behind the defense. Neutral players on the sides create overloads that mirror real game situations. Players work on their first touch, receiving skills, and passing accuracy while constantly moving to create passing lanes. The progression from simple possession to scoring through the endzones builds complexity as players improve.

5v3v1 Rondo Possession Drill

This drill sharpens possession skills while teaching players to quickly switch between attacking and defending roles. Players learn to recognize when they win or lose the ball and immediately adjust their positioning and mindset. The team of three works on keeping possession against one defender, then must quickly transition to defense when they lose it. The single player learns to pressure and transition to attack when winning the ball. Outside players develop awareness of when to support and how to maintain possession in tight spaces. This constant switching builds mental quickness and helps players stay focused during the transitions that occur in real games.

3v1 Rondo

This drill builds the foundation of possession soccer by teaching players how to keep the ball in tight spaces. Players learn to create good angles of support, move intelligently without the ball, and position their bodies correctly when receiving. The small grid forces quick decisions and sharp passing. Attackers practice opening their hips to see the whole field and using their back foot to receive passes smoothly. The drill teaches deception through body feints and eye contact that mislead the defender. Players develop the speed and accuracy needed to move the ball before pressure arrives. The consequence of becoming the defender when you make a mistake keeps everyone focused and accountable. This simple but effective drill appears in training sessions from youth levels all the way up to professional teams.