8 Youth Soccer Drills

Skill development, physical fitness, confidence building, and tactical awareness. These are just a few reasons why youth soccer drills are essential for the development of young athletes.

To help your young athletes improve their game, we have outlined 8 youth soccer drills that are perfect to incorporate at any practice, clinic, or tryout.

Youth Soccer Dribbling Drills

1. Obstacle course

• Set up one row of 10-12 pylons in the middle of the field (each pylon should be about 2 feet apart to start).

• Line up players in a single file line.

• One at a time, players will weave in and out of these obstacles in a zig-zag formation while dribbling the ball.

Note: At any time during the drill, adjust the spacing between the pylons to make it more of a challenge.

2. Round the cone dribble

• Place about 5-7 cones in a circle (3 circles can be formed on your field).

• Line up players in three single-file lines. *One line should be formed in front of each circle.

• On your whistle, the first player in each line will dribble the ball around the circle.

• After a minute has elapsed, the next player in line will take their turn.

Note: In this drill, players can practice maintaining close control of the ball while slightly angling their bodies as they dribble.

Youth Soccer Passing Drills

3. Square passing

• Set up 4 pylons in a square formation, with each pylon placed 6 feet apart.

• Place 4 players beside each pylon. *Each player will stand slightly behind the pylon.

• On your whistle, you will state a direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), and players will pass the ball in that direction.

Note: During the drill, periodically change the direction in which players must pass the ball. This will encourage quick thinking.

4. Four corners

• Using pylons, set up four grids that are 10x10 feet apart in each corner of your field.

• Split up your players into two teams (ensure you use coloured jerseys or flags to easily identify the teams).

• On your whistle, teams will work together to pass the ball to each other and attempt to score in one of the grids.

• Once a team has scored in all four grids, they will be crowned the winners!
  

Four corners

Youth Soccer Shooting Drills

5. Shooting on the move

• Set up two pylons on either side of the net, 12 feet away from the net.

• Line up players in a single file line.

• On your whistle, the first player in line will dribble toward either pylon (left or right side on your call).

• Upon reaching the pylon (once they are 1-2 feet away), they will attempt to shoot the ball while moving.

Note: Express the importance of moving while dribbling. If players stop dribbling at any point, they will have to repeat the drill right away.

6. Wide-angle shots

• Line up your players in two single-file lines on one end of the soccer field.

• On your whistle, the first two players in each line will dribble the ball (keeping it on the far left or right side of the field).

• Once they approach the empty net, they will attempt to take a wide-angle shot while moving.
  

Wide-angle shots

Youth Soccer Defense Drills

7. Steal the ball

• Pair up players starting at one end of the field. One will assume defense, and the other offense.

• Have the offensive player start with the ball.

• In a span of 3 minutes, the defensive player will try to steal the ball, while the offensive player does their best to shield the ball while moving across the field.

8. 2 vs. 2 net scoring

• Place 2 defense players 6 feet apart from each other, slightly in front of the net.

• Line up your offensive players in two single-file lines on one end of the soccer field.

• On your whistle, the first two offensive players in line will pass the ball to each other, then try to take a shot while navigating through the defense.
  

2 vs. 2 net scoring

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