Soccer Drills for Kids: Building a Strong Foundation

ByTiffany Allen

9 min read

Soccer Drills for Kids: Building a Strong Foundation

Soccer drills are a fundamental part of any young player's development. Not only do they improve technical skills, but they also enhance coordination, decision-making, and teamwork. In this article, we will explore the benefits of soccer drills for kids and share essential drills that can help build a strong foundation in the sport. Additionally, we'll provide tips for creating effective coaching and training sessions that keep kids engaged and motivated.

Let's dive in!


Benefits of Soccer Drills for Kids

There are many benefits that soccer drills offer kids. Soccer drills will help with improving coordination, developing fundamental skills, and helps enhance fitness and endurance for young athletes.

Improves Coordination

Soccer drills for kids are an excellent way to enhance their coordination skills. Through repetitive movements and precise footwork, these drills help children develop better control over their body movements and improve their hand-eye coordination.

Dribbling drills, passing and receiving exercises, and agility ladder drills are essential for improving coordination in soccer. These drills focus on developing the player's ability to control the ball while maintaining balance and body control. By incorporating these training practices into their routine, players can enhance their coordination skills and become more agile on the field. The combination of specific drills designed to target coordination will allow players to improve their overall performance during games.

Develops Fundamental Skills

Soccer drills provide the perfect platform for kids to practice and refine essential soccer skills such as passing, dribbling, shooting, and ball control. By consistently engaging in training sessions that focus on these specific areas, children can build a solid foundation of fundamental soccer abilities.

Shooting practice, ball control drills, and heading exercises are essential for developing fundamental skills in soccer. These focused training activities help players improve their shooting accuracy, enhance their ball handling abilities, and strengthen their ability to win aerial challenges. Incorporating these drills into regular practice sessions can significantly contribute to a player's overall skill development.

  • Shooting practice: Improve shooting accuracy and technique.
  • Ball control drills: Enhance dribbling skills and first touch.
  • Heading exercises: Develop the ability to win aerial challenges.

Enhances Fitness and Endurance

Regular participation in soccer drills helps kids improve their overall fitness levels by increasing cardiovascular endurance, strength, speed, agility, and flexibility. These physical benefits contribute not only to improved performance on the field but also promote a healthier lifestyle overall.

Interval running workouts, circuit training sessions, and endurance-building games are essential components to enhancing fitness and endurance in soccer players. Incorporating interval running drills helps improve cardiovascular capacity and increases speed. Circuit training practices engage various muscle groups through a series of exercises, improving overall strength and stamina. Endurance-building games provide an enjoyable way for players to develop their aerobic capacity while sharpening their skills on the field. By implementing these training techniques consistently, young soccer athletes can significantly boost their fitness levels and endurance, giving them a competitive edge during matches.


Essential Soccer Drills for Kids

Below are a few essential soccer drills for kids. Remember that adapting these exercises based on skill level is crucial for optimal learning outcomes!

Dribbling Drills

Develop your child's ball control and agility with these essential soccer drills. Set up cones in a zigzag pattern and have them dribble through the course, focusing on quick changes of direction. Another great drill is the "Island Game," where players must safely navigate their way around a designated area while avoiding defenders.

Cone Dribbling: Set up a line of cones and practice dribbling through them using quick footwork and close ball control. Focus on maintaining a steady pace while maneuvering around the cones, challenging yourself to keep the ball within reach at all times.

Obstacle Course Dribble: Create an obstacle course using cones, poles, or agility ladders to enhance your dribbling skills. Navigate through the course with precision and speed, making sharp turns and avoiding obstacles along the way. This drill helps improve your ability to change direction quickly while maintaining control of the ball.

1v1 Attack and Defend Drill: Engage in one-on-one situations where you alternate between attacking and defending. Practice taking on opponents by utilizing effective feints, changes in speed, and accurate passing. Develop strategies for both offense and defense during this drill to sharpen your decision-making skills on the field.

Passing Drills

Teach your young athletes the importance of teamwork and accuracy with passing drills. One effective exercise is the triangle passing drill, where three players form a triangle shape and pass the ball to each other in quick succession. Encourage communication and proper technique to ensure successful passes.

Triangle Passing is a crucial skill for young soccer players to develop. It teaches them how to create passing angles and maintain possession under pressure, making it an essential part of their training regimen. By practicing this drill, players will improve their decision-making abilities and become more efficient in moving the ball around the field.

Wall Passes are another excellent passing drill that helps enhance communication and coordination among teammates. It involves playing quick one-two passes off a wall or rebounder, mimicking real-game situations where players need to execute precise passes in tight spaces. This drill encourages players to anticipate each other's movements and promotes effective teamwork on the field.

Long Range Passing enables players to increase their range of passing while maintaining accuracy. This drill focuses on developing power and technique when delivering long balls across the field. By mastering this skill, young soccer players can become valuable assets in setting up attacking plays from deep positions or launching counterattacks.

Shooting Drills

Help your kids improve their shooting skills by incorporating fun yet challenging drills into their training routine. The "Five Goal Shootout" drill involves setting up five different goals at various distances, encouraging accuracy as they aim for each target. Adding time pressure can also enhance their decision-making abilities in front of goal.

Hit the Target' Shooting Drill: Improve accuracy and precision with the 'Hit the Target' shooting drill. Set up targets in different areas of the goal, challenging players to aim for specific spots. This drill enhances shooting technique and helps players develop a strong sense of placement.

Breakaway Shooting Practice: Simulate game-like situations with breakaway shooting practice. Set up cones to mark a path towards the goal, and have players sprint towards it while facing minimal defensive pressure. Encourage quick decision-making and precise finishing as they attempt to score against the goalkeeper.

Cross and Finish Drill: Develop attacking skills by incorporating crosses into shooting drills. Have players deliver accurate crosses from wide positions, while others work on their timing and positioning inside the box to finish with power or finesse. This drill enhances communication, teamwork, and scoring ability in various situations during matches.

Defensive Drills

Instill solid defensive skills early on by practicing positioning and anticipation with your young soccer players. The "Mirror Drill" requires two players facing each other, mimicking movements while one tries to disrupt or intercept passes from the other player. This drill hones defensive instincts while teaching how to read an opponent's intentions.

Shadow Defense Drill: This drill focuses on improving defensive positioning and reaction time. Players pair up and one player acts as the shadow defender while the other simulates attacking movements. The shadow defender must mirror the attacker's movements, staying close and anticipating their next move to intercept or tackle effectively.

Tackling Technique Training: This drill hones players' tackling skills by emphasizing proper technique. It involves setting up a series of cones or markers in a line, and players practice approaching each cone at different angles to execute safe and effective tackles. Coaches provide guidance on body positioning, timing, and using the correct foot for tackling.

Defensive Shape and Communication Exercise: In this exercise, players work together to maintain a compact defensive shape while communicating effectively with their teammates. The coach sets up scenarios where attackers try to break through the defense, requiring defenders to shift positions quickly while maintaining communication about marking assignments and covering spaces. This drill helps develop teamwork, spatial awareness, and decision-making under pressure for a cohesive defensive unit.


Tips for Effective Soccer Drills for Kids

Here are a few tips on how to ensure soccer drills for kids are effective, and fun!

Keep it Fun and Engaging

When designing soccer drills for kids, make sure to incorporate elements that keep them excited and motivated. Use games, challenges, and rewards to create a positive and enjoyable training environment.

Incorporate small-sided games into your soccer drills. By dividing the players into smaller teams, you create a more dynamic and engaging environment that promotes active participation and competition.

Use colorful cones or markers to create a visually appealing setup for your soccer drills. This not only adds excitement to the training session but also helps children focus on their targets, improving their spatial awareness and accuracy.

Introduce rewards or incentives for successful completion of drills. Whether it's stickers, small prizes, or even verbal praise, providing positive reinforcement motivates children to give their best effort and keeps them excited about participating in future training sessions.

Focus on Technique

Emphasize the importance of proper technique in each drill. Break down movements into simple steps and provide clear instructions to help children develop fundamental skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending.

Start with basic ball control exercises to develop dribbling skills. Set up cones in a zigzag pattern and have players weave through them while maintaining control of the ball. This helps improve their footwork, balance, and coordination.

Teach proper passing and receiving techniques through repetitive drills. Have players line up facing each other at a distance and practice passing the ball back and forth using both feet. Emphasize accuracy, timing, and communication to enhance their ability to connect passes effectively.

Work on shooting accuracy by setting up target goals or using scoring challenges. Place small cones or targets in different corners of the goal for players to aim at during shooting drills. Incorporate game-like scenarios that require precision shots under pressure to help build confidence in front of the net.

By focusing on these fundamental techniques, young soccer players can develop a strong foundation that will contribute to their overall skill development as they progress in the sport.

Progressive Difficulty

Gradually increase the difficulty level of drills as players improve their skills. Start with basic exercises and gradually introduce more complex scenarios to challenge their abilities and promote growth.

Gradually increase the speed and intensity of drills as players improve. This challenges them to push their limits and enhance their skills. Incorporate more complex footwork patterns and combinations as players advance, encouraging them to think quickly on their feet and develop coordination. Introduce game-like scenarios to simulate decision-making under pressure, helping players adapt to real match situations.

  • Increase speed and intensity
  • Complex footwork patterns
  • Game-like scenarios for decision-making

Encourage Teamwork

Incorporate drills that foster collaboration among players. Team-based activities not only enhance communication skills but also instill a sense of unity within the group. Encourage players to work together towards a common goal while enjoying the sport they love.

Include group activities that require communication and cooperation among players. This helps develop their teamwork skills by teaching them how to work together towards a common goal. Design drills that promote passing between teammates instead of individual play. This encourages collaboration and emphasizes the importance of relying on each other for success. Incorporate small-sided scrimmages to foster teamwork, positioning, and strategy. By working in smaller groups, players have more opportunities to communicate with one another and learn how to coordinate their movements effectively.

  • Group activities that require communication
  • Drills promoting passing between teammates
  • Small-sided scrimmages for teamwork development


Conclusion

Soccer drills for kids are of utmost importance as they serve multiple purposes. Firstly, these drills help build a strong foundation in soccer by developing essential skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. Secondly, they provide numerous benefits including improved coordination, decision-making abilities, and teamwork skills. Lastly, by engaging children in enjoyable and challenging activities from an early age, we can encourage a lifelong love for the sport while fostering their physical fitness and overall well-being.


Want to keep exploring? You can check out additional soccer resources here or sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn about updates, opportunities and announcements.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
Dribbling Mastery: Unlocking Essential Skills for Athletes

Dribbling Mastery: Unlocking Essential Skills for Athletes

Mastering the art of dribbling is like having a secret weapon on the basketball court. It's the...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Dec 04 2023
Elevating Your Game: Advanced Volleyball Drills for Elite Athletes

Elevating Your Game: Advanced Volleyball Drills for Elite Athletes

The sport of volleyball has seen remarkable growth and success in Canada, on both national and...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Oct 05 2023
Ace Your Game: A Youth Volleyball Training Guide for Success

Ace Your Game: A Youth Volleyball Training Guide for Success

Are you looking to become a future volleyball superstar? If you're passionate about spiking,...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Oct 04 2023
5 Essential Defensive Drills in Basketball

5 Essential Defensive Drills in Basketball

Defense is a crucial part of basketball, and mastering defensive drills can make all the difference...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Jun 13 2023
How Rowing Can Help You Train For These Popular Sports

How Rowing Can Help You Train For These Popular Sports

Rowing is more than a sport. It's a world-renowned form of exercise that can help keep you in shape...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Apr 20 2023
College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

While the games from November through February certainly count in the standings, the tilts that...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Mar 15 2023
'Is It Like Baseball?': Comparing Cricket to America's Pasttime

'Is It Like Baseball?': Comparing Cricket to America's Pasttime

Sports have a unique way of bringing people together through their differences and similarities....

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
USA Triathlon Coach Helps Find An Alternative Workout To Running And Cycling This Winter

USA Triathlon Coach Helps Find An Alternative Workout To Running And Cycling This Winter

As the winter weather settles in, many outdoor athletes are faced with a decision: either tread...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Feb 22 2023
Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

2019 was a transformative year in NCAA athletics. The NCAA Transfer Portal, a database which allows...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sun Dec 11 2022
Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Beach volleyball [gmtm.com/articles/tag/beach-volleyball] is a fun and exciting sport for the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 04 2022
What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

In the 21st century, major sports have had to walk an interesting tightrope. They’ve had to balance...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Oct 24 2022
How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

In order to be successful in track, athletes should devote a considerable amount of time to lifting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

We’re at the point in the college football calendar where teams are assessing whether they’d like...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Sep 28 2022
Can Group NIL Deals Help Create Earning Potential Balance?

Can Group NIL Deals Help Create Earning Potential Balance?

The landmark decision to allow student athletes in college to profit off of their name, image and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Aug 22 2022
Soccer Coaching: What is each position in soccer responsible for?

Soccer Coaching: What is each position in soccer responsible for?

A proper soccer team will function at an optimal level when players in the team's setup understand...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Jul 16 2022
Volleyball: Four Steps For Defensive Player To Improve Your Digging

Volleyball: Four Steps For Defensive Player To Improve Your Digging

Whether you live to hit the floor or find you find yourself feeling uneasy as a big hitter on the...

ByRebekah Morris | Sat Jul 16 2022
Field Hockey: What Is It And How To Start Playing

Field Hockey: What Is It And How To Start Playing

Field Hockey is a sport that combines ice hockey with soccer to create an exciting and intense...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Jun 26 2022
College Basketball: Why Experience Still Matters For Division-I Teams

College Basketball: Why Experience Still Matters For Division-I Teams

College basketball's history is filled with teams that had to overcome adversity on the road to a...

ByBryan Armetta | Mon Jun 13 2022
How Would Video Review Work In College Softball?

How Would Video Review Work In College Softball?

“Whatever it takes to get the call right”. That’s usually the initial sentiment about video replay...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed May 04 2022
How to Perform a Free Kick  Like The Pros: Step By Step Guide

How to Perform a Free Kick Like The Pros: Step By Step Guide

Scoring a free kick or utilizing it effectively can be the deciding factor in who wins a match. So...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Apr 19 2022
Are there Different Positions In College Beach Volleyball?

Are there Different Positions In College Beach Volleyball?

Beach volleyball is an enjoyable sport that offers amazing experiences for newbies and refreshing...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Mar 23 2022
Why Men's College Basketball Games Have Two Halves, Not Four Quarters

Why Men's College Basketball Games Have Two Halves, Not Four Quarters

The game of basketball was created in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith. In his original rule book, he...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Mar 22 2022
Mike Krzyzewski: Looking back at the career of a legendary Duke Basketball coach

Mike Krzyzewski: Looking back at the career of a legendary Duke Basketball coach

Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski is one of the most familiar, iconic figures...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Mar 08 2022
On Guard: Admiring Coach Nikki Franke’s Incredible Career

On Guard: Admiring Coach Nikki Franke’s Incredible Career

Temple University has had some incredible fortune with the longevity of its coaches. Men’s...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Feb 25 2022
Women’s Pro Sports Might Be Coming To Nashville

Women’s Pro Sports Might Be Coming To Nashville

Despite not being considered a major sports market in the United States, Nashville does have a...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Jan 19 2022
College Basketball: Equal Pay For Referees In Men and Women’s Hoops

College Basketball: Equal Pay For Referees In Men and Women’s Hoops

Gender equity review was a huge focus of the NCAA in 2021, and will remain a prominent topic of...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Jan 06 2022
College Football: Summarizing Trevor Moawad’s Impact On Athletes

College Football: Summarizing Trevor Moawad’s Impact On Athletes

When most people think about sports, and what it takes to get ready for a game, the physical part...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Jan 02 2022
College Basketball: One New Year's Resolution for Every Top Team

College Basketball: One New Year's Resolution for Every Top Team

Another calendar year has concluded, but the 2021-22 college basketball season has only just begun....

ByBryan Armetta | Sat Jan 01 2022
NCAA Testing New Coach To Player Communications In College Football

NCAA Testing New Coach To Player Communications In College Football

We know it well in the NFL game. Quarterbacks putting both hands on either side of the helmet in...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Dec 14 2021
Women’s Golf Championship Format Update

Women’s Golf Championship Format Update

When the very best female golfers tee off for the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship’s next...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Dec 03 2021
Checking In On NCAA Draft Constitution Developments

Checking In On NCAA Draft Constitution Developments

November has been a progressive month for the NCAA with regards to fleshing out its draft...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Dec 02 2021
Envisioning a 12 Team College Football Playoff, Ranked From Least to Most Likely

Envisioning a 12 Team College Football Playoff, Ranked From Least to Most Likely

College football has never been too concerned about parity. For years, the sport has seemed more...

ByBryan Armetta | Sat Nov 27 2021
NCAA Softball Has New Leader Calling Balls and Strikes

NCAA Softball Has New Leader Calling Balls and Strikes

After Craig Hyde retired from his post as the NCAA softball national coordinator of umpires, the...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Nov 18 2021
NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Welcomes A Familiar Face

NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Welcomes A Familiar Face

What’s old is new again, when it comes to leadership at the NCAA for women’s lacrosse. A new...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 15 2021
Women's Squash: Unpacking the Dickinson College Controversy

Women's Squash: Unpacking the Dickinson College Controversy

There’s been quite a debate brewing in the last several weeks at a liberal arts school in central...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Nov 14 2021
Four Players Who Improved Their Game Under Coach K

Four Players Who Improved Their Game Under Coach K

College basketball's greatest coach is finally saying goodbye. Over 46 seasons as a Division I...

ByBryan Armetta | Wed Nov 03 2021
Could The Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Field Expand?

Could The Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Field Expand?

For many years, both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournament field was set at 64 teams. It...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Nov 02 2021
What An Athlete’s Death At Fort Scott Community College Means For College Football

What An Athlete’s Death At Fort Scott Community College Means For College Football

JUCO football has long been an incubator for some of the most recognizable talents in football....

ByLeland | Thu Oct 21 2021
New Rule Proposed for Softball 2022 Season

New Rule Proposed for Softball 2022 Season

The softball committee has met many times over the years to settle issues with rules or to best...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Oct 15 2021
Women's Gymnastics: How The 2021-22 Division-I College Season Will Be Different

Women's Gymnastics: How The 2021-22 Division-I College Season Will Be Different

The 2021 National Championship for Gymnastics was exciting and fans saw some things that have never...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Wed Oct 13 2021
How Will Additional Days Affect Three Women’s NCAA Playoff Competitions?

How Will Additional Days Affect Three Women’s NCAA Playoff Competitions?

The NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee has been busy recently, as they’ve announced...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Oct 08 2021
St. Thomas Athletics Gets Its First Taste of Division I

St. Thomas Athletics Gets Its First Taste of Division I

The most publicized jumps in sports usually center around when high school athletes head directly...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Sep 30 2021
What the New Handball and Offside Rules Mean for College Soccer

What the New Handball and Offside Rules Mean for College Soccer

This summer, the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Committee decided to revamp the...

ByCoby Seaver | Tue Sep 28 2021
College Football: Presbyterian College Coach Who Doesn't Punt Faces Huge Loss

College Football: Presbyterian College Coach Who Doesn't Punt Faces Huge Loss

Kevin Kelley has gained national notoriety with his coaching style and outcomes in the first two...

ByJamison White | Wed Sep 22 2021
Who Will Be The Next Head Football Coach At UConn?

Who Will Be The Next Head Football Coach At UConn?

Although he didn’t have the success that Jim Calhoun experienced on the men’s basketball side,...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Sep 16 2021
Examining Division II’s Decision To Expand Coaches Connection Program

Examining Division II’s Decision To Expand Coaches Connection Program

Networking events for professionals across the same industry can only be a good thing. New ideas...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Sep 07 2021
Players, coaches divided over College Football Playoff expansion

Players, coaches divided over College Football Playoff expansion

Every year one College Football Program lifts the national championship trophy and subsequently...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Sat Jul 24 2021
What Makes A Good Mentor?

What Makes A Good Mentor?

Ask any successful person and they'll tell you that having strong mentorship was key to their...

ByGeorge P | Thu Jun 17 2021
How Does Coaching in College Football Players Differ From Coaching NFL Players?

How Does Coaching in College Football Players Differ From Coaching NFL Players?

We see it all the time in football—college coaches with innovative offensive minds or longstanding...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Feb 12 2021
Andrew Tiller: "Most NFL coaches are training a position they’ve never played before"

Andrew Tiller: "Most NFL coaches are training a position they’ve never played before"

They say timing is everything, and if you asked offensive line coach Torrian Wilson, many NFL teams...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Nov 27 2020