Soccer Drills

All players line up in single file about thirty yards directly in front of the goal. The coach takes all of the balls and kneels beside the goal. On the coach's whistle or shout the first player in line runs toward the goal and the coach rolls out two balls - one at a time - in quick succession. The first ball is the long ball (POWER SHOT) and the second ball is the shorter (FINESSE SHOT). The player must shoot both balls into the net in order to stay in the game. Shots must be clean, one touch, shots. If a player makes both shots he goes to the end of the line for the second round. If he misses one or both shots he is out of the game and is required to shag balls. The competition continues until only one player (the winner) is left.

Kids love this game because of the competition. Its one of a few that they ask to play EVERY practice. It teaches players to shoot and immediately attack the goal looking for rebounds or garbage shots rather than standing back and admiring their shots. I often tell my players that soccer does not have style points. A beautiful bicycle shot counts the same as a chip in from two feet in front of the goal.
Because it requires a single-file line and is not aerobic this drill should only be used at the end of practice when the players and coaches are really tired. It is a good ending to most practices and leaves the players enthused and wanting more.
This is called a knock out exercise (I don't like the term drill) and although the kids may love this type of competition doesn't it make the players who get knocked out and who then shags balls get less work than the winner (who probably is the one who needs the least amount of work). It is the players who get knocked out early who need the most work and this exercise doesn't provide it. Wouldn't it be wiser to take those players who get knocked out and work with their shooting technique? Perhaps they aren't locking their ankle or their plant foot is turned outward. By working with those players instead of having them shag balls you can raise the skill level of your team.
I use this same drill, but instead of the coach putting the ball into play, I have 3 lines - shooting line, long ball line next to the post & short ball line next to the other post. No one gets knocked out, they just keep rotating lines. Works well & the kids love this activity.
Have the coach put the ball into play to sort of equalize the players. I coach a lot of co-ed teams and I may place the balls in easier positions for the weaker players or provide faster delivery for the better players. Also I only use this as the last exercise of the day and often use it after our practice time is supposed to end to leave the players "wanting more". It is a quick game usually taking only five minutes or less.

Another good idea I saw recently was after a girl was on the left side of the goal and worked hard to get the ball to her right foot for a shot. Her coach yelled "the blue foot!". I looked hard and then noticed the girl had blue shoelaces on her left foot. Looking further I see that all the players had blue shoelaces on their left feet.

Talking to the coach, she had all the girls put blue laces on their left feet to get them to be more conscious of the weak foot.
(This is especially good for younger children who know their colors but have trouble quickly telling their right foot from their left foot.)

Here is my favorite "drill" for encouraging quick, opportunistic striking and finishing (this is not a big secret-- they teach it at the coaching schools and ODP camps):

Set up two goals with goalies (either full size or the 4/5 size "Coerver" goals) at opposite ends of a small field about 20-35 yards long (you can vary length and width and size for teaching purposes and numbers of players). Adjust size of field to number of players and skill level, but keep it tight (encourage immediate exploitation of the smallest opening). Play teams of 3 (or up to 5 a side)-- run multiple games on separate fields or use a tournament style (watching teams line the field and randomly pass out-balls back into play-- keeps space tight and play going). Toss out a ball to start (see if you get an immediate shot after your "serve").

After a goal is scored, goalie on scored-upon team distributes (tries to set up an immediate shot). With full size goals close by, any opening can result in a shot on goal from anywhere on field and players learn to shoot quickly before already tight space is closed down. Play to a time limit or three goals (again - shoot quick is the message).

This is a training drill to build the habit of quick set up and strike - not a technical drill to teach shooting. Adjust field size depending on how your team is reacting (less skilled teams may need more space to start).

This drill provided by Gary gsoliva@aloha.net

My personal favorite is stolen from another sport (Basketball). 1 v 1 with a goal
(may be cones with three set along the end line). Defender starts on the hip of the attacker who is parallel to the goal at the 18 yard line with the ball. The object to make just enough space to get the shot off. Usually the player is SO INTENT on getting the space and shooting quickly they forget to hesitate to shoot. Progression, ball served to attacker, 2 v 2, 3 v3 in the 18. The top progression would of course be 1 v 1 with Keeper to beat and for Premier player 1 v 2 with keeper.

Any questions feel free to ask.
Keep 'em kickin' & smilin' ;)
Pete Gratton
Las Vegas NV 89154-7013
I have all the answers. I just don't know, what questions they go to.

Kill the Goalie

From Carol Wiedner as posted to Womens-soccer-L mailing list:

My team's favorite is an oldie but goodie called "Kill the Goalie" (or, if I'm feeling adventurous, "Kill the Coach"). Line everyone but the goalies up in a semi-circle in front of the goal (the apex is usually up at the top of the box, with the ends 3 or 4 feet from the goal). Everyone in the circle has 2 balls and the goalies take turns in front of goal. On my shout or whistle, each player shoots, one at a time, moving around the circle. When you get around to the other side, keep going back around the circle to the player you started with. Generally, as soon as the goalie touches the ball or it's clear the ball will go behind the goalie, I call for the next shot, so they come very quickly. No dribbling, just a quick, accurate shot allowed. It's also great for working the goalies reaction times, encouraging them to forget the last shot and reset quickly for the next one. We usually make it a game, where the field players get one point for each shot *on* goal (whether it scores or not) and the goalies get two points for each save.
Pattie Becker added this to the above drill:
I use a variation of this also but I give each shooter a number & they go in numerical order but the numbers are not next to each other around the semi-circle. The players say their number as they shoot and the goal keeper must react quickly to the change of direction of each shot. Patti Becker-
And Richard Brown added his own variation:
How about a variation Kill the Keeper.
Surround the keeper with your players. The idea is one touch low shooting. Players are looking to shoot low, right at the keeper. Keeper makes a save we applaud him. Then he immediately rolls the ball to another player who immediately shoots. The players beyond the keeper must watch the shooter, the player must line himself up with the shot to block or control the shot if it gets by the keeper. Then he immediately shoots at the keeper, if he cant get a quick shoot, he must pass to a teammate and then that player will shoot. If keeper deflects shot the player closest to the ball can shoot. If keeper dives and deflects shoot, he better get up fast or get hit while he is down and out of position. If the ball goes over the keepers head the shooter sprints to retrieve the ball, while we play on with another ball adjusting the circle. If player beyond the the keeper forgets to line himself up with shooter and the low ball gets by, he sprints for the ball. It takes guts for the keeper to play this game, and its a serious aerobic exercise for the keeper. Good for keepers reflexes, and for second & third and fourth efforts. To save shot after shot coming from all angles and positions. He can not rest or risk catching a ball in the face. The ball must be properly inflated before you start. Never had a player get a major injury doing this drill. However, make a circle within the circle where the players cannot enter, so the keeper will not get kicked by mistake. Good keepers love it, for some reason? Richie

Developing A Goal Scoring Attitude

This exercise was supplied to the Soccer-Coach-L mailing list by Bernie Hayden at NYSA Woodinville, WA, http://www.northshoresoccer.org/default.asp

This is from Washington State Youth Soccer News in an article by Craig Lange (director of the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association).

ACTIVITY ORGANIZATION:
4v4 plus GK
30 x 40 yd area
Full-sized goals
Two retrievers behind each goal
Spare balls inside each goal
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:
One point is awarded for a "shot on goal" that is saved by the GK. Two points awarded for a goal. If a goal is scored or a shot goes wide, play is restarted by the GK. First team to score seven points OR to have all four players record a shot on goal is the winner. Winning team plays team that served as retrievers.
You could add to this a tid-bit from "Coaching the keeper in small-sided play"; Utilize the "out-of-the box" rule. For a team to score, their GK must be outside own goal area.

Pass and Shoot

        Make your grid about 20 x 40. It is set as 5v5 set up with 1 player on the other teams side of the field. The team must make 3 passes and try to shoot on the other teams goal. If the defensive player is able to steal the pass then they must drop it back to their team to complete the 3 passes. Vary the size of the grid to suit your team.

       If the ball goes out of bounds then it is a throw in for the other team at the point that it went out. This helps improve long throw-ins. If it goes out deep on "A" side and must be thrown to the "B" side. The "A" team can steal it if they get to it before it crosses midfield. If it goes out on the end, then it is treated like a corner or goal kick.

        When the 3 passes are complete then it is wise to use your defender on the other side to a crossing shot to for the shot on goal. This keeps the rest of them paying attention when it is being played on one side. It also makes everyone switch from offense to defense repeatedly.

        You may vary the number of players to fit your team. We have a large team so we divide them into 3 groups and play it round-robin. After a score then the team that is out switches with the team that gave up the goal.

        Another variation is after the 3 passes are made you can allow 1 person to go in with the ball to help set up the shot on the other end. Once the shot is attempted or the ball is stolen back then they must return quickly to their end without interfering with the play.

To start make a rectangle out of cones anywhere from 20-30 yards away from the goal. The players form 2 even lines behind the 2 cones farthest from the goal. The first player jogs around the cone in front of them then jogs to the cone on the far side. The player then sprints to the far post and a ball is played to them from that post. The player then shoots. The first player in the second line starts to make the same run (but inversed) as soon as the first player passes the cone in front of his line. The process repeats. The cones can be placed at various distances and angles from the goal to work on various shooting situations.

The players line up about 45 yards away from the goal. A single person (the square) recieves a pass from the first player in line. The player runs toward the outside of the goal box. The middle man flicks the ball past himself so the player runs onto it and takes a shot.

The first man in line passes through the legs of the second player, then Player 2 turns and has a shot on goal.

Players line up from anywhere between 15 and 45 yards away from the goal. A ball is played to the player from the corner area. The player shoots with one or two touches if possible. A goalie should be used in this drill for accuracy practice.

In this drill 2 players are placed inside the 18. A ball is played to them from a corner and they finish with one touch. A goalie, defensive players, and more offensive players may be added.

This drill is more of a game than a drill but is still lots of fun and helps with shooting speed. To start, split players into two teams and place them in lines behind the outer goal box lines. The first player from each team lines up on their goal post. The team that is on offence first has its player run after a ball (it is punted from behind the goal by a neutral person) and takes a shot with no more than 3 touches. When the ball is punted the first player from the defincive team runs around the back of the goal and plays as a keeper to try to block the shot. If a goal is scored the offencive team recives a point. No points are awarded for saves or missed shots. When all players have gone from the first team the rolls of the teams are reversed.

Separate players into groups of 3 and each group needs one ball and one cone. One player lays down on the ground in-between another player and the cone. The third player runs around the cone and jumps over the player on the ground. As the running/jumping player jumps over the player on the ground, the standing player tosses or rolls the ball towards the jumper. The jumper traps the ball and passes the ball back to the player who tossed the ball. He then runs around the cone and repeats the process. After a set number of runs or time the players rotate.

2 players stand 20-30 yards apart. Each of these players has a ball. The man in the middle checks to one of the men and they pass him the ball. The middle man then checks to the other player and receives a pass from him and passes it back. The main focus of this drill is to keep a tight touch and have complete control of the ball.

This is a very simple drill that everybody knows but it is so good because no matter how skilled the player it can still be challenging. Simply set up cones about five yards apart and dribble between them. Start by using both feet then use the right only and left only. Go as fast as you can without losing control of the ball.

Players line up on one side of the field. One person on the opposite side punts a ball in the air. The player must get to the ball and control it before it touches the ground. He then passes it back and the next man goes.

This is a great drill that really helps with all kinds of touches. The player dribbles to the first cone and does a turn. He then passes the ball to the next person in line. The player then runs around the far cone and receives a pass from the player he passed the ball to. He controls the pass and dribbles the ball back to then line. The next player then goes.

5 players are needed for this drill. First, four adjacent squares are made. 4 defensive players are then put in the squares. An offensive player tries to dribble through the four squares without loosing control of the ball or leaving the squares.

This is a simple tunnel drill. Players divide into two lines and pass the ball from one line to another. When a player passes he goes to the back of the opposite line. The number of Touches may be changed to add some variety.

This drill is almost a tunnel drill but helps with give and gos. The players are divided into two lines. The player in the line without the ball makes a diagonal run. The player with the ball hits the player running with a pass to his feet and runs toward the other line. The player who now has the ball then plays the ball to the running player. The players switch lines.

Ok, this is one of those drills that is more of a game than a drill but is lots of fun and really helps with passing. To start, players are divided into even teams. Cones are set up in an arc going from about 20-30 yards away from the goal. The first team goes into the field. A neutral person rolls a ball to a player in front of the goal. The player kicks the ball into the field. The kicker (who is not on the fielding team) takes a ball that is lying on the corner of the six-box. He dribbles around the outside of the four cones and takes a shot. While he is doing this the players in the field must pass the ball nine times to different players. To help with confusion, when a player passes he sits down. When the ball is passed nine times, the ninth person shoots. The ball that goes in the net first gives that team a point. The next player from the kicking team then goes. When everyone from the first team goes, the teams switch positions.

In this drill players form a circle. Two players are in the middle of the circle. Two of the outside players have a ball. They then pass their ball to a player in the middle of the circle and then runs into the circle. The player in the middle may turn and pass or one-touch the ball to another outside player. He then goes to that players spot on the ouside of the circle. The player in the middle of the circle then receives the pass from the player on the outside of the circle, and the process repeats.

This is a simple drill that helps with awareness and defensive skills. Place 4 goals on the outside of a grid. The goals do not need to be full size and probably shouldn't be. Also place a cone in the middle of the 4 goals. One point is given for each goal and two points for hitting the cone.

In this drill a grid of four cones is set up. There is one offensive player and one defensive player. The offensive player trys to dribble from one cone to another cone. The defender tries to make the offensive player loose control of the ball. If the offensive player gets to a cone then he gets a point. If the defensive player gets the ball he also gets a point. The offensive player must have the ball under control when he reaches the cone in order for the point to count. If a player gets half way across the grid from the cone he came from he is allowed to turn and go back to that cone. The players go for one minute and then switch rolls.

Two squares are set up with two players in each square who are teammates. The more skillful the players, the smaller the squares are and the further apart they. are. The game starts when one team kicks the ball into the others' square. The receiving team must control the ball without it going outside of their square. Each player is allowed to play the ball with one touch. The team has 3 touches to get the ball into their opponents square. The ball may not stop at any time. Play stops when a shot misses the other teams grid or is not controlled. Decide beforehand how high a ball may be played to be considered fair.

Two teams, each player is designated a number. The coach calls out the numbers of the players. These players then run out from the end line to play the game. The coach serves balls from the sideline if the ball goes out of bounds or into a goal. Each group should play for a minute and a half of continuous action. Players waiting to come on should return loose balls to the coach, or act as "support" players, returning passes back to the team who made them. The number of players playing at one time depends on the coach's objectives. This game is best played 2 v. 2 or 3 v. 3.

Three teams of 4 (A, B, C) and two keepers (X, Y). Team A attacks against keeper Y. If they score, they then quickly try to attack keeper X. At this time, team B leaves the field and takes the place of team C who were the supporting players on the end lines, supporting both teams. The supporting players support for both teams and can move along the end line. The are limited to one touch one the ball. Have an ample supply of balls ready in each net.

Start with two teams of equal number. Each team has 3 goals to defend and attack. Each team has one keeper who must defend all 3 goals. Play regular soccer rules.

Players in the grid are without the ball, players on outside each have a ball. Inside players move around the grid freely, receive a ball from an outside player and return it as quickly as they can. Switch positions after a while.

Players with the ball are put on the outside of the grid as shown. The other players pair up inside the grid and designate one person as the attacker and one as the defender (Attackers wear the same color). The attacking player must get free of their defender, receive a ball from any support player and play it back without losing possession.

An even sided game with full goals that is played like a real game but not necessarily with an 11 v. 11 format. The coach then observes if the training has had any effect on the players ability to meet the demands of the game. Coaching points can still be made but the coach focuses comments on the theme of the practice. If the session was a technical session, the coach focuses on the players body and sees if it is meeting the demands of the game technically. If the session was tactical, the coach focuses on what the player is seeing, and focuses on whether or not the player is interpreting the visual clues correctly and making the correct decisions based on what is seen.