Soccer Drills & Games
Sample Warm Up:
- Pass in two as players arrive
- Knockout-Dribbling: Have kids line up on one side and dribble to the other side while coaches try to knock ball away.
- Coaches Tag: run or dribble but don't let coach tag you or else you're frozen, free players can tag and unfreeze players.
|
Name
|
Measurement
|
Players
|
Duration
|
Level
|
Objective
|
Coaching Points
|
|
4 v 1 Keep Away
|
10 x 10
|
8 m
|
12
|
U8 - U14
|
Passing game
|
Passing technique, Passing accuracy, On toes, Quick decisions
|
|
Head it, Catch it
|
10 x 10
|
8 m
|
N/A
|
U11-U14
|
Decision Making game
|
Awareness, Think quickly
|
|
Premier Heading
|
10 x 10
|
8 m
|
N/A
|
U11 -U14
|
Decision Making game
|
Heading technique, Eye on the ball, Contact on forehead, Light toss, Direction of header.
|
|
Body Part Game
|
10 x 20
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5 - U14
|
Dribbling control and motor skills game
|
Close control, Surface of the foot, Use both Feet, Reaction time
|
|
Coach Tag Game
|
10 x 20
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5 - U14
|
Dribbling Control
|
Surface of the foot, Close control, Head up, Use both feet
|
|
Control of ball game
|
10 x 20
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5-U14
|
Trapping and controlling out of the air
|
Soft control, Eye on the ball, Choice of control
|
|
Fetch It
|
10 x 10
|
8
|
12
|
U5 - U14
|
Coordination & Decision making game
|
Go with speed, Ball control, Quick decisions, Reaction time
|
| Four Corners Game |
10 x 10
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5-U14
|
Coordination & Decision making game
|
Quick reaction, Quick thinking, Teamwork, Awareness. You must bring the ball back with your feet by dribbling
|
|
Gates Game with Partner
|
10 x 30
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5 - U14
|
Dribbling and passing game
|
Teamwork, Communication, Close control, Passing technique, Passing accuracy
|
|
Gates Game
|
10 x 30
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5-U14
|
Dribbling with control game
|
Close control, Surface of the foot, Head up, Awareness of space
|
|
Keepers Nest
|
10 x 10
|
8 m
|
N/A
|
U5-U14
|
Coordination game
|
Light on toes, Quick feet, Deception, Teamwork, Agility
|
|
Knee Tag
|
10 x 20
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5-U14
|
Dribbling and Motor Skills
|
Surface of the foot, Close control, Head up, Coordination
|
|
Knockout Game
|
10 x 20
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5-U14
|
Dribbling and control
|
Surface of the foot, Close control, Head up, Use both feet
|
| Knots Game |
10 x 10
|
8 m
|
N/A
|
U5-U14
|
Teamwork and communication
|
Work together, Communicate, Leadership, Encouragement
|
| Ladder Game |
10 x 10
|
8 m
|
15
|
U5-U14
|
Communication and teammwork
|
Quick reaction to get the ball, Work together, Communicate, Organize, Encourage each other
|
|
Sequential Passing Game
|
10 x 20
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5-U14
|
Passing and moving
|
Pass and move, Communication, Awareness, Passing technique, Passing accuracy
|
|
Shooting numbers game
|
10 x 20
|
8 m
|
12
|
U5-U14
|
Shooting game
|
Close control, Awareness, Head up, Use both feet, Shooting technique
|
| FIFA 11+ Warm Ups |
|
20 m |
N/A |
U14+ |
Warm up routine |
Complete warm up routine. Exercises can be modified for younger players |
4 v 1 Keep Away
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U8 - U14
Objective: Passing game
Description: Four players with one ball versus one player in designated area. Player objective is to keep the ball away from the one defender with good passing. Defender in the middle is rotated.
Coaching Points: Passing technique, Passing accuracy, On toes, Quick decisions
Head it, Catch it
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: N/A
- Level: U11 - U14
Objective: Decision Making game
Description: Coach with a soft ball in hands. Players form a circle around coach. Coach throws ball at one player and says "head it" or "catch it" while the ball is in the air. The player must react quickly and do the opposite. Play continuous until there is one player remaining who is the winner.
Coaching Points: Awareness, Think quickly
Premier Heading
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U11 - U14
Objective: Improve heading
Description: Coach forms a 5 x 5 yd box with 4 cones. There is a player in each side of the square. Two players next to each other are on the same team. Object of the game is for one partner to throw the ball to the other partner who must head the ball between the cones of the opposing players. Opposing player can use their hands and play goalkeeper. Teams alternate taking turns.
Coaching Points: Heading technique, Eye on the ball, Contact on forehead, Light toss, Direction of header. If a team can produce a double header in a row without hitting the ground and then score, it is 3 points
Body Part Game
- Measurement: 10 x 20
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Dribbling control and motor skills game
Description: Players dribble ball in designated area. Coach calls out a body part. At that time, the players objective is to
quickly place that body part on the ball.
Coaching Points: Close control, Surface of the foot, Use both Feet, Reaction time
Coach Tag Game
- Measurement: 10 x 20
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Dribbling Control
Description: Players dribble ball in designated area and coach tries to tag them. Players objective is to keep control of the ball without being tagged by coach.
Coaching Points: Surface of the foot, Close control, Head up, Use both feet
Control of ball game
- Measurement: 10 x 20
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Trapping and controlling out of the air
Description: One ball per player. Player throws ball in air and traps. Use the following traps: 1. Sole of foot (as it hits the ground) 2. Shoelace (before it hits the ground) 3. Thigh trap then shoelace or sole of foot trap. 4. Chest trap then shoelace or sole of foot trap.
Coaching Points: Soft control, Eye on the ball, Choice of control
Progression: Players dribble and coach calls out number 1 to 4 and players must perform trap.
Fetch It
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Coordination & Decision making game
Description: One ball per player. Coach gives instruction on how players need to retrieve ball back to coach. Each player hand delivers ball to coach, coach throws ball out and player retrieves ball as quickly as possible back to coach.
Coaching Points: Go with speed, Ball control, Quick decisions, Reaction time
Four Corners Game
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Coordination & Decision making game
Description: Four corners in a square around 6 yards by 6 yards. Seven balls in the middle of the square. Line up players at each corner that form a team. One player from each corner/ team goes at one time. The other players are sitting down away from corner and not participating or helping teammate. On coaches signal, each player must run and pick up one ball at a time with their hands and carry it back to their corner. The game ends when one time collects 3 balls in their corner. You CAN steal balls from someone else’s corner!
Coaching Points: Quick reaction, Quick thinking, Teamwork, Awareness. You must bring the ball back with your feet by dribbling
Gates Game with Partner
- Measurement: 10 x 30
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Dribbling and passing game
Description: Two players with one ball in designated area. The other half hold the ball in their hands with their legs wide open. Players objective is to work with partner and try and score as many goals as possible. Players score a goal by passing the ball through the legs of other players to their partner. Note- they must score in every goal before going back to the same goal.
Coaching Points: Teamwork, Communication, Close control, Passing technique, Passing accuracy
Gates Game
- Measurement: 10 x 30
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Dribbling with control game
Description: Half of the players dribble ball in designated area. The other half hold the ball in their hands with their legs wide open. Players objective is to try and dribble the ball and try and score as many goals as possible. Players score a goal by kicking the ball through the legs of the other players. Note- They must score in every goal before going back to the same goal.
Coaching Points: Close control, Surface of the foot, Head up, Awareness of space
Keepers Nest
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: N/A
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Coordination game
Description: One player stands over the ball. Three players surround this one player protecting the ball. Object of the game is for the three players to try and knock the ball away from the one player without being tagged. If you are tagged, you are frozen.
Coaching Points: Light on toes, Quick feet, Deception, Teamwork, Agility
Knee Tag
- Measurement: 10 x 20
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Dribbling and Motor Skills
Description: Players dribble ball in designated area. Players objective is to try and tag other players on the knee while maintaining control of their ball. Player with the most knee tag wins!
Coaching Points: Surface of the foot, Close control, Head up, Coordination
Knockout Game
- Measurement: 10 x 20
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Dribbling and control
Description: Players dribble ball in designated area. Players objective is to try and kncokout other players ball while controlling their ball and keeping it safe in the area.
Coaching Points: Surface of the foot, Close control, Head up, Use both feet
Knots Game
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: N/A
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Teamwork and communication
Description: Can be done with four, six, eight, ten or twelve players. Group of players form a circle and extend hands towards the center of the circle. All players cross their arms and connect hands within the circle. Players cannot have the same two hands of another player. On coaches signal, the players must untangle arms and hands without releasing hands and create a perfect circle.
Coaching Points: Work together, Communicate, Leadership, Encouragement
Ladder Game
- Measurement: 10 x 10
- Players: 8
- Duration: 15
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Communication and teammwork
Description: Two teams with one ball assigned to each team. Coach throws both balls in different directions. The players from each team must follow their team's ball. First player must pick up the ball, and relay it backwards to teammates under the coaches restriction to the back of the line. The last player must then run with the ball to the front of the line. The whole team must complete the process and sit down and say finished. First team finished gets a point.
Coaching Points: Quick reaction to get the ball, Work together, Communicate, Organize, Encourage each other
Progression: Mix it up with different ways of getting the ball to the back of the line. For example: twist, over the head, under the legs, over and under. For older kids, have them dribble the ball to the front of the line. Even zig zag dribble through teammates.
Sequential Passing Game
- Measurement: 10 x 20
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Passing and moving
Description: Coach assigns players a number from 1 to 8. The object of the game is to pass the ball to all players as quickly as possible in sequential order. Players must be constantly moving.
Coaching Points: Pass and move, Communication, Awareness, Passing technique, Passing accuracy
Progression: You can do the same in reverse order (8 to 1) You can also place a time limit for completing the cycle or cycles to challenge them.
Shooting numbers game
- Measurement: 10 x 20
- Players: 8
- Duration: 12
- Level: U5 - U14
Objective: Shooting game
Description: Coach assigns each player a number. Players dribble ball in designated area and when coach calls their number they must dribble and take a shot on goal.
Coaching Points: Close control, Awareness, Head up, Use both feet, Shooting technique
Videos to Demonstrate Games & Drills, Guided Discovery Coaching and More!
FIFA 11+ Warm Ups
FIFA 11+ is targeted at players 14 and above but can be done by and modified for younger players.
Why Do We Do it?
- The FIFA 11+ was designed by a panel of experts from around the world. These people are experts in jury prevention, and they have come up with an easy-to-perform set of warm-up exercises that can literally half the amount of injuries that your team may suffer from.
- Research has shown that teams that have implemented The 11+ into their warm-up have reduced injuries by 35%, with more severe injuries reduced by 48%.
What is It?
Part 1: running exercises at a slow speed combined with active stretching and controlled partner contacts;
Part 2: six sets of exercises focusing on core and leg strength, balance and plyometrics/ agility, each with three levels of increasing difficulty; and
Part 3: running exercises at moderate / high speed combined with planting / cutting movements. A key point in the programme is to use the proper technique during all of the exercises. pay full attention to correct posture and good body control, including straight leg alignment, knee-over-toe position and soft landings.
FAQ:
Link: http://www.yrsa.ca/pdf/Fifa11/11plus_workbook_e.pdf
Sources:
- Many drills provided courtesy of MKS for WSA.
- The “11+” Manual A complete warm-up programme to prevent injuries
Please do not redistribute without permission.
