5 Best Soccer Tryout Drills

As a soccer coach, one of the most daunting tasks is conducting tryouts. 

The soccer tryout process entails carefully assessing the abilities of your players, identifying those who show exemplary character, and ultimately selecting players who are a well-rounded fit for the team.

This blog outlines the 5 best soccer tryout drills to evaluate your players, whether you are a Little League or high school coach. Covering the core skills from passing to dribbling, these drills will provide you with the insights needed for making team placement decisions.

How to Run Successful Soccer Tryouts

Hosting a successful soccer tryout starts well ahead of time, long before players step onto the field. Here are some tips below:

1. Provide Feedback: Discuss with your team ahead of time the best method(s) for providing athlete feedback (to both players and parents)
2. Plan Ahead: Set tryout dates, drills, and evaluator assignments at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
3. Set Evaluation Criteria: Use standardized scoring sheets or apps like SkillShark to ensure consistent feedback and objectivity.
4. Use Position-Specific Drills: Run drills specifically for dribbling, shooting, and passing.
5. Prioritize Safety and Flow: Set up stations well before tryouts to avoid dead time and ensure proper spacing between drills.

Top 5 Soccer Tryout Drills

1. Soccer Dribbling Drill- Toe Taps

Start with three lines of players. On the coach’s whistle, the first player in each line dribbles their ball to the cone, stops, taps the cone with their feet 10 times, and then dribbles back to their original starting point. 

When the player returns to their starting position, the following player in the line starts, and the drill is repeated until each player in line has had a turn.

If you’re looking for some awesome soccer training videos that are easy to follow at home, check out Anytime Soccer Training.

2. Soccer Shooting Drill- Shooting Box

Set up four pylons in a 6X6 square grid in the middle of the field. Start by having 1 player in the shooting box and another 5 players scattered 30 feet away from the player in the box — each with a soccer ball.

To start the drill, one of the “outside” players passes the ball to the player in the box. Once the “box” player has received the pass, they should try to shoot (into either net) as quickly as possible. After a few minutes, switch out all players.

3. Soccer Attacking Drill- Attack the Cones

Create a 15 X 5-foot box using 4 cones, then place one cone in the center of the box. Divide your players into two lines on either end of the field.

The first player in each line will dribble their ball to the center, try and knock down the center cone first, and then return to their starting position. The next player in line will take their turn.

4. Soccer Passing Drill- Four Corners

Create 5×5 grids in each corner of the field with pylons. Split your players into two teams of 7. Each team will have a ball. 5 players will assume positions on the field, and the remaining 2 players will assume positions in the grids.

Players on each team will aim to pass the ball to teammates within the grids while also playing defense by preventing the opposing team from completing their passes. If the “grid player” receives the ball and successfully passes it back to their teammate, this will count as one point. Run the drill for 15 minutes.

5. Soccer Footwork Drill- 1 vs. 1 in the Circle

Players will form two lines at each end of the field. The coach starts outside the center circle and throws the ball into the circle. As the ball is being thrown, the first players from each line will race each other to the center circle.

Whoever gets possession of the ball first will then return the ball successfully to the coach without stepping or dribbling outside of the circle.

Looking For an Easier Way to Evaluate Soccer Players?

Using SkillShark, you can easily score soccer players on your smartphone or tablet. Once your evaluation is complete, instantly gain access to player reports. Review player data and draft teams on the same day!