Soccer Coaching Drills

Soccer coaches teach a lot of skills to their young players, everything from how to kick the ball and how to play against a goalie to positioning tactics on offense and defense. In the process of teaching soccer, coaches also impart lessons on sportsmanship and disappointment, helping kids learn to be good winners as well as good losers. One method coaches have of training their players is by running drills.

  1. Shoot From Your Own Half

    • The Shoot From Your Own Half drill starts with mini teams of three to four players facing each other across the center line, with no goalies. The coach rolls a soccer ball to one team. The team must keep the ball in constant motion, and each player on the team must touch the ball once before the team can try to score a goal. This drill teaches shooting and one-touch skills.

    Tug of War

    • This drill starts with two mini teams on opposite sides of the center line. Each player has his own soccer ball. The coach places a soccer ball of a different color on the center line. The players must try to move the colored soccer ball across the center line by kicking their ball so precisely that it hits the colored ball. This drill teaches kicking for accuracy and power.

    Dribble Across

    • The Dribble Across drill starts with two lines of players facing each other, each player with his own ball. On a signal, each player has to dribble his ball across to the other players' line, turn the ball around and dribble it back. All players perform the drill at once. This drill teaches players dribbling and turning skills, as well as forcing them to keep their heads up and use their peripheral vision so they don't run into other players.

    Hot Potato

    • This drill starts with a group of about 10 soccer balls at each end of the field. Each team has to transfer the balls, one at a time, to the other end of the field. Each ball must be touched by every player, and players may not run with the ball. This drill teaches good communication and teamwork, as well as basic passing and receiving skills, and allows coaches to see who the team leaders are.

    Speed Racer

    • The Speed Racer drill starts with players, each with his own ball, standing outside a circle of cones. Each player must dribble the ball around the circle and try to be the first back to his starting position. Players can go in either direction, which forces them to keep their heads up. This drill teaches basic dribbling skills.

    Monster Invasion

    • In this drill, each player has his own ball and must keep away from the "monster," played by the coach. The coach chases the players and tries to take each player's ball away from him. Players must stay inside the field during the drill. This drill teaches staying in bounds and dribbling skills while in heavy traffic.