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Under 12 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises

Quality age-appropriate soccer drills for kids in the U12, Under 12, 12 and Under age group.

Under 12 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises

Soccer drills for 12-year-olds emphasize skill refinement and tactical awareness to prepare players for more competitive play. This page provides drills designed to enhance dribbling, passing, shooting, and decision-making in game-like situations.

UNDER 12 SOCCER DRILLS, GAMES, AND EXERCISES

Hexagonal Rondo

Hexagonal Rondo

The Hexagonal Rondo drill focuses on quick passing and movement within a six-sided grid, emphasizing control and spatial awareness. Players work to maintain possession by creating passing angles and exploiting gaps in the defensive shape. The objective is to enhance technical precision, quick decision-making, and fluid team coordination.


Age: 10+ Field: 10x15
Players: 10 Focus: Passing
Difficulty: Medium Time: 15 min.
Goalkeeper: No Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 9,917
Published: 9/11/2024 Author: Chris Johnson
3v3, 4-Goal Small-Sided Game  Funino

3v3, 4-Goal Small-Sided Game Funino

This drill encourages players to recognize attacking opportunities by creating space, making quick decisions, and choosing the best option between two goals. Defensively, players learn to cover space effectively and transition quickly.


Age: 4-14 Field: 20X30
Players: 6+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 1,869
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4 Scrimmage to Mini-Goals

4v4 Scrimmage to Mini-Goals

The objective of a 4v4 soccer scrimmage to mini-goals is to replicate the dynamics of a full-sided game in a smaller, more controlled environment. This format encourages players to focus on quick decision-making, positioning, and maintaining possession under pressure, as well as improving their ability to transition between attacking and defending. The mini-goals emphasize accuracy and composure in front of the goal, helping players develop finishing skills without the presence of a goalkeeper.


Age: 4+ Field: 30x20
Players: 8 Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: Medium Time: 15 min.
Goalkeeper: No Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 3,585
Published: 8/30/2024 Author: Chris Johnson
3v1 Transition Rondo

3v1 Transition Rondo

The 3v1 Transition Rondo drill emphasizes quick combination passing to unbalance the defender and shift the point of attack to an adjacent grid. This exercise challenges the defender to transition rapidly between areas, enhancing their ability to react under pressure. The focus is on sharp passing and strategic movement to exploit defensive weaknesses.


Age: 9+ Field: 7x14
Players: 5 Focus: Possession
Difficulty: Medium Time: 15 min.
Goalkeeper: No Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 5,129
Published: 9/2/2024 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4+4 Corner Rondo

4v4+4 Corner Rondo

This drill enhances passing accuracy, spatial awareness, and teamwork by encouraging players to use the four corner players as outlets to maintain possession. It also develops defensive pressure and quick transitions.


Age: 12+ Field: 25X25
Players: 12+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 3,350
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4+1 Corner Support Rondo

4v4+1 Corner Support Rondo

This drill improves quick passing, spatial awareness, and teamwork by encouraging players to use both central and corner support players to maintain possession. Players develop composure under pressure and transition awareness.


Age: 9+ Field: 15X15
Players: 9+ Focus: POSSESSION
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 4,095
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
1v1 Elimination Challenge

1v1 Elimination Challenge

This drill sharpens 1v1 attacking, defending, and finishing under pressure. Players must react quickly after scoring, transition between attack and defense, and stay composed in high-pressure situations.


Age: 7+ Field: 20X30
Players: 4+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: EASY Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 7,760
Published: 2/14/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
1v1 with 4 Small Goals  Funino

1v1 with 4 Small Goals Funino

This drill improves 1v1 attacking skills, defensive positioning, and finishing under pressure. Players learn to recognize attacking opportunities while also being responsible for defending their assigned goals.


Age: 4+ Field: 20X30
Players: 4+ Focus: 1V1
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 15 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO INDIVIDUAL
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 1,611
Published: 2/16/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
2v2 with 4 Small Goals Funino

2v2 with 4 Small Goals Funino

This drill enhances small-group play by developing combination play, defensive communication, and finishing under pressure. Players work on quick transitions between attack and defense in a game-like setting.


Age: 6+ Field: 20X30
Players: 8+ Focus: 2V2
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 15 mins.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 2,842
Published: 2/16/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
Dribbling with Pressure on the Back

Dribbling with Pressure on the Back

This drill improves a player's ability to protect the ball while dribbling under pressure. It teaches awareness, quick reactions, and body positioning to maintain possession against a defender.


Age: 4-12 Field: 20X15
Players: 2+ Focus: DRIBBLING
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 15 mins.
Goalkeeper: NO INDIVIDUAL
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 4,332
Published: 2/16/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
Dribbling and Turning with Pressure on the Back

Dribbling and Turning with Pressure on the Back

This drill teaches players how to turn effectively when under defensive pressure. It improves awareness, body positioning, and ball protection while developing confidence in 1v1 situations.


Age: 6-13 Field: 20X15
Players: 2+ Focus: TURNING
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 15 mins.
Goalkeeper: NO INDIVIDUAL
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 5,970
Published: 2/16/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
3v3 to Goals

3v3 to Goals

This drill develops players' ability to attack and defend in small spaces while encouraging quick decision-making, teamwork, and fitness through constant movement.


Age: 4+ Field: 20X30
Players: 6+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 3,971
Published: 2/16/2025 Author: Chris Johnson

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