Browse all of SoccerXpert's Soccer Drills

Browse the best youth soccer drills for kids of all ages.

Soccer Drills

Soccer drills for kids of all ages focus on building fundamental skills in a fun and engaging way. This page offers a variety of drills designed to develop technical abilities, teamwork, and a love for the game at every skill level.

All Drills

Pirates of the Pugg EASY

Pirates of the Pugg

This soccer dribbling drill is a great soccer drill using a Pugg Goal that can be tweaked to focus on many aspects of the game. For younger players ages 8-11, the primary focus should be on proper dribbling technique in traffic which requires vision and awareness. The coach can also focus on the transition from offense to defense if the ball is lost, or recovering from a tackle and finding safety. Defensively, this allows defenders to steal the ball from attackers and play to a particular goal or target.

8-12 yrs. 8+ players 15 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no
4.25 752,984 John Bychok
1v1 Competition EASY

1v1 Competition

This drill is great to focus on 1v1 play. It is flexible and can be used to work on the offensive side or the defensive side. On the offensive side you can get attackers to attack the defenders with speed, quick change of pace with an explosive touch to get away, getting behind the defensive players and shooting at half chances. On the defensive side, you can focus on closing down quickly, forcing the attacker to the side and closing down the attack.

9+ yrs. 5+ players 20 mins. 18x25 yds. GK: yes
1v1 Tunnel of Death MEDIUM

1v1 Tunnel of Death

This drill can be used to focus on either attacking or defending. It teaches players to take advantage of an off balanced defender by attacking with speed or could be used to focus on good defensive posture and transition.

9-16 yrs. 5+ players 20 mins. 35X15 yds. GK: no
3.68 111,377 Chris Johnson
Criss-Cross Dribbling Game EASY

Criss-Cross Dribbling Game

The Criss-Cross dribbling drill focuses on the younger player. This dribbling drill assists players play with speed while keeping their heads up. Be warned, this drill can be dangerous for players who have a tendency of dribbling with their head down.

4-12 yrs. 12+ players 15 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no
3.82 81,575 Chris Johnson
Knock Out EASY

Knock Out

This drill is a great warm-up drill for dribbling sessions as it focuses on dribbling and ball control, keeping the head up, change of direction and change of pace.

4-12 yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no
3.89 124,205 Chris Johnson
4v4 Playing Wide Out of the Back MEDIUM

4v4 Playing Wide Out of the Back

This drill is designed to get players to play balls wide when playing from the back, the defensive third of the field. Players recognize that they find more time and space on the outsides of the field and they are relieving the center of the pitch from dangerous play.

9+ yrs. 8 players 20 mins. 40X25 yds. GK: no
Sharks and Minnows Soccer Drill EASY

Sharks and Minnows Soccer Drill

This soccer drill is designed for U6 and U8 players, emphasizing their ability to dribble effectively under pressure. It also teaches young players how to shield the ball by positioning their body between the ball and the defender, building essential dribbling and ball-protection skills.

4-8 yrs. 5+ players 10 mins. 20X25 yds. GK: no
4.19 612,994 Chris Johnson
The Numbers Game MEDIUM

The Numbers Game

The Numbers Game soccer drill focuses on the 1v1 situational play for younger players. This  1v1 drill works on all dynamics of this game such as dribbling, shooting, shielding, turning and beating an opponent.

4-14 yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 15X20 yds. GK: no
Monster Turns EASY

Monster Turns

This fun youth soccer drill focuses on the U6 and U8 players dribbling skills. The added pressure allows the players to turn away from pressure while remaining in control of the ball.

4-8 yrs. 5+ players 10 mins. 20X25 yds. GK: no
3.36 80,816 Chris Johnson
The Greeting Game EASY

The Greeting Game

This soccer drill is specifically designed for younger players (U-6 and U-8). This drill will get the players moving, greeting each other, and a building block to introduce dribbling. Good for Camp activities for the younger players.

4-8 yrs. 5+ players 10 mins. 15X20 yds. GK: no
3.94 169,363 Chris Johnson