Home / Drills
Drills
19 drills, each one drawn and animated step by step. Every one says how to make it easier or harder, so it suits any age.
On your own
All you need is a ball, a few cones (or shoes) and, for some, a wall.
first touch · 10 min · Just you
Wall passes across the body
Pass against a wall, take the rebound across your body to the other cone, and pass again. The best way to practise passing and first touch on your own.
ball mastery · 10 min · Just you
The cone weave
Dribble in and out of a line of cones using every part of both feet. Small touches, ball close, eyes up.
turning · 12 min · Just you
Turn and go
Dribble to a line, turn sharply, and accelerate away. Learn four turns: the inside hook, the outside hook, the drag back and the Cruyff.
ball mastery · 8 min · Just you
Weaker-foot figure of eight
A figure of eight round two cones, using only your weaker foot. Ten minutes a day makes a real difference.
shooting · 15 min · Just you, or with a friend in goal
Strike the corners
Push the ball out of your feet and strike it low into a corner. Accuracy first, then power.
dribbling · 10 min · Just you
Run with the ball, then stop it dead
Run with the ball at speed over 20 m, then slow down and stop it on the line with the sole of your foot.
With a friend
Two players, one ball. Swap roles so you both get the work.
passing · 10 min · You and a friend
Two-touch through the gate
Pass to each other through a small gate. Control with one touch to the side, pass with the second.
dribbling · 12 min · You and a friend
1v1 to the line
One attacks, one defends. Score by stopping the ball on the end line. Swap after every go.
first touch · 12 min · You and a friend
Receive on the half-turn
Your friend passes to you from behind. Open your body, take the ball with your back foot and play forward through a gate.
Team practice
Practices for a group, with sizes and numbers you can change on the day.
dribbling · 10 min · 6 to 16
Dribble and steal
Everyone dribbles in a square. Two stealers try to win a ball. A busy start where everyone is on the ball from the first minute.
dribbling · 15 min · Pairs, any number
1v1 to the gates
An attacker scores by dribbling through either of two gates. If the defender wins it, they attack the other two.
attacking · 15 min · Groups of 3
2v1: pass or go?
Two attackers against one defender. The player on the ball decides: dribble past, or pass to a teammate who is free.
possession · 12 min · Groups of 5
Rondo: 4 against 1
Four players keep the ball from one defender in the middle. If the defender wins it, the player who lost it goes in.
passing · 10 min · 5 to 8 per square
Pass and follow
Pass to the next cone and run after your pass. Lots of touches, and a calm start to a passing session.
defending · 12 min · Pairs, any number
Defend the gate
The defender learns to close down fast, slow down, and stop the attacker getting through a gate.
game · 15 min · 6 to 10 (3v3 to 5v5)
Four-goal game
Each team attacks two goals on the far corners. When one goal is crowded, switch the play to the other.
attacking · 15 min · 6 to 12, plus a goalkeeper
3v2 to goal
Three attackers break against two defenders and a goalkeeper. Find the free player, finish quickly.
game · 15 min · 8 to 12 (4v4 to 6v6)
End-zone game
Score by dribbling into the end zone, or by receiving a pass in it. Encourages running with the ball and forward passes.
game · 20 min · Everyone
The game
Finish every session with a real game, in the format your players play on match days.