Drills for Youth Soccer

Youth soccer player drills will help a coach determine what the youngsters need to work on to improve their game. Stress the use of both feet during the drills, and pay attention to which players need more practice with their weaker foot. Encourage the kids to work on their soccer skills at home, as this will benefit them during an actual game.

  1. Receiving Drill

    • Receiving drills will teach a child how to properly stop the ball.

      Receiving drills will help the players learn how to stop the ball with both feet. Also use a receiving drill to teach a player how to properly pass the ball. Have the players pair up and give each pair a ball. Instruct the players to stand ten feet apart and to pass the ball back and forth. Tell them to stop the ball with their left foot one time, then use their right foot the next time. Step in to make corrections to a player's receiving technique when necessary.

    Possession Drill

    • Correct body positioning will help a player maintain possession of the ball.

      Practice drills for possessing the ball should teach the players how to shield a defender. Tell the squad to form two lines approximately five feet apart. Stand 10 yards in front of the players with a ball. Gently kick the ball toward the players, then have the first one in each line run forward to try and gain possession. Once a player has the ball, tell the second youngster to try and take it away. Keep the two kids in a 10 to 15 foot area during the drill. Once the defender takes the ball away, stop the drill. Step in and demonstrate the proper shielding technique if necessary. Send both kids to the back of the line and move on to the next pair.

    Dribbling Drill

    • Teach the young player how to control the dribble.

      Drills for dribbling are a good way to identify which players have a talent for offense. Some kids are able to control the soccer ball with both feet at an early age, while others will only use one foot. Teach the players to use both feet when dribbling by setting up 10 cones in a straight line, roughly two yards apart. Tell the players to go through the cones, using both feet to dribble. A youngster who moves through the cones with ease is a good candidate for offense.

    Shooting Drill

    • Proper shooting technique with both feet is essential in soccer.

      Training for shooting will help young players learn to use both feet when they try to score. Most youngsters will avoid using their weaker foot, since they have a hard time controlling the shot. Have the players form a line 20 yards from the goal. Instruct each player to dribble the ball twice with each foot and then take a shot. Have the entire team perform the drill once and then line them up again. For the second rotation, tell each player to use their opposite foot to shoot. Encourage the players who have difficulty with their weaker foot to practice shooting at home.