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50 Fun Soccer Drills and Games for

Youth Coaches

www.SurefireSoccer.com

Copyright Notice
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical. Any unauthorized use, sharing, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited.

© Copyright 2010 Surefire Soccer

Limits / Disclaimer of Warranty

The authors and publishers of this book and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in preparing
this book. The authors and publishers make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy,
applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this book. They disclaim any warranties (expressed or
implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The authors and publishers shall in no event be
held liable for any loss or other damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other
damages. This manual contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties.
Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited.

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Skill Codes for Each Drill

Here’s an explanation of the codes associated with each drill. Even though each drill targets one
specific skill or idea, most of the drills build a variety of skills, so we used codes to signify all of the
skills that each drill will develop. Use the table of contents below and this key to find the drills that fit
your needs.

AP=Aggressive Play D=Defense P=Passing

BC=Ball Controlling DR=Dribbling S=Shooting
C=Conditioning GK=Goalkeeping ST=Slide Tackling
CK=Corner Kicks H=Heading TI=Throw-Ins
CM=Communication O=Offense TP=Team Play
V=Volleying

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

How To Make Your Youth Soccer Practice Fun……………………………………………...... 6

How to Keep Your Practice Fast Paced and Fun...................................................................8

How to Make Your Players Feel Successful..........................................................................10
How to Establish Discipline and Keep Players Under Control..............................................11
How to Grab and Hold Your Players’ Attention....................................................................15
How to Structure Your Practice..............................................................................................18
How to Keep Your Attitude Positive and Upbeat..................................................................20
How to Make Your Drills Fun................................................................................................22

Shooting Drills…………………………………………………………………………….. ……... 24

Power Goals (S)…………………………........……………………………………………. 25

Rapid Fire (S)……………………………………………………………………………….27
Knock Out Shots (S)……………………………………………………………………...... 29
Championship of the World (P, S)......................................................................................... 31
Striking Distance (P, S)…………....………………………………………………………..33
Up and Shoot (AP, BC, C)…………………………………………………………............. 36
King of the Circle (P, S)………….…………………........................................................... 39
Four-Goal Turmoil (P, S)…………………………………………………………………... 41

Dribbling Drills…………………………………………………………………………………… 43

Dribble Tag (DR)…………………………………………………………………………... 44

Sneak Attack (DR)…………................................................................................................. 46
Dribble Charge (DR)………………………………………………………………………..48
Thieves (BC, DR)………………………………………………………………………...... 50
Circle Dribble (DR)………………………………………………………………………... 52
Relay Races (DR, TI)............................................................................................................. 54
Pinny Tag (BC, DR)……………………………………………………………………...... 56
Criss-Crossing (BC, DR)…………………………………………………... ………………58
Ball Suicides (BC, C, DR)..................................................................................................... 60
Crab Trap (C, DR)................................................................................................................. 62

Passing Drills ………………………………………………………………………………………65

Through the Uprights (P)………………………………………………………………....... 66

Marbles (P)………………………………………………………………………………….68
The Long Pass (P)………………………………………………………………………….. 70
Short and Concise (P)……………………………………………………………………… 72
Tennis (P, V)……………….................................................................................................. 76
Two on One (AP, BC, P)…………………………………………………………………... 78
Win the Ball (BC, P)……………………………………………………………………….. 80
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Table Soccer (P, TP)……………………………………………………………………….. 83
Avoid the Middle (P, TP)……………………………………………………………….......85
Point Passer (P, TP)………………………………………………………………………... 87
Neutral Passing Game (P, TP)……....................................................................................... 89
Hot Rock (BC, P)................................................................................................................... 92

Offensive/Defensive & Team Drills……………………………………………………………… 94

Poke Away (D)….................................................................................................................. 95

One Player Out (D)………………………………………………………........................... 97
Mark the Man (D).................................................................................................................. 99
Can’t Turn (AP, D)………………………………………………………………………… 101
Transition (O, S, TP)……………………………………………………………………..... 104
Defend the Cone (D, P)…………………………………………………………………….. 106
Five Seconds (AP, D)……………………………………………………………………… 108
Three-Way Scrimmage (TP).................................................................................................. 110
Run Around the Clock (C)…………………………………………………………………. 112
Three’s a Crowd (C)……………………………………………………………………….. 114

Corner-Kicking, Throw-In, Heading, & Slide-Tackling Drills…………………………………116

Corner Scoring (CK, H, V)………………………………………………………………… 117

Dodge Ball Throw-Ins (TI)………………………………………………………………… 119
Heads Up (H)………………………………………………………………………. ……... 121
Single Combat (ST)………………………………………………………………………... 123

Goalkeeping Drills…………………………………………………………………………………125

Goalie Game (GK, S)………………………………………………………………………. 126

Keeper Pitching (BC, GK)…………………………………………………………………. 128
Goalkeeper Punting (GK, S)……………………………………………………………….. 130
Keeper Diving (GK, P)……………………………………………………………………. 132
Goalkeeper Bowling (BC, GK, S)…………………………………………………………. 134
Side Block (GK, S)……………………................................................................................ 136

Closing Thoughts..............................................................................................................................138

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Dribble Tag

Drill Purpose

Dribble Tag is a very popular game for players. Based on the game of tag
played as very young children, it’s competitive, fun, and a great way to work
on dribbling skills. This drill stresses improving the players’ dribbling
technique and tactical awareness. It also improves the players’ speed off the
mark and lateral movement.

Instructions

1. All players stand in the center circle. Two players have balls at their feet.

2. The two players with balls dribble around the circle and the other
players try to avoid them.

3. On the whistle ball carriers must tag another player (without the
ball) with their hands. Once tagged, the player leaves the center circle.

4. The player doing the tagging must have control of the ball when
tagging players.

5. The last player remaining wins.

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Teaching Tips

Players need to realize that in an uncontrolled game situation there are

many things happening at once. The ability to control a ball as well as think
about strategy is very important.

Variations

ƒ To make the game easier for players with less skill, play in a smaller area
and use only one player as the tagger.
ƒ To make the game more challenging for players that have more skill,
increase the playing area and add another tagger.

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Criss-Crossing

Drill Purpose

If players could list their favorite drills, Criss-Crossing might be at the top of
the list. It’s a game that is a lot of fun and players like the individual and
team aspects. This drill develops dribbling skills in high-pressure confined
areas.

Instructions

1. The team is divided into two groups. Each player should have a ball.

2. The teams line up at opposite ends of the short sides of the goal box.

3. On the whistle, all the players dribble across the penalty box to the
other side, trying to avoid the other team coming at them with their balls.

4. The team that reaches the other side first, lined up on the line, with
their feet on their balls, is the winner.

Teaching Tips

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If possible, players should learn to dribble quickly in small areas and at the
same time be aware of where they’re going by making effort to take their eyes
off of their feet when moving forward.

Variations

ƒ To make the game easier for players with less skill, use a smaller number
of players for each team.
ƒ To make the game more challenging for players that have more skill, add
another layer of pressure by monitoring the amount of time it takes to
reach the end.

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One Player Out

Drill Purpose

Any form of “staying alive” in a game is great fun for youth players. They are
all familiar with musical chairs and One Player Out is the same thing but in
soccer form. This drill helps develop dribbling skills and the ability to think
ahead.

Instructions

1. All players assemble in the center circle each with a ball.

2. Players begin dribbling around the center circle area.

3. The coach yells “Change” and players must leave their ball and find a
new ball.

4. During the change-off the coach kicks one ball out of the circle.

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5. The player who ends up without a ball is out of the game.

6. The last remaining player is the winner.

Teaching Tips

Understanding what a fellow player is doing with the ball or where he or she
intends to run next is an awareness skill that develops over time. Players
need to realize that during a team game such as soccer that all players are all
playing a role whether they have a ball in their possession at the moment or
not.

Variations

ƒ To make the game easier for players with less skill, play in a larger area
and don’t kick a ball away in every round.
ƒ To make the game more challenging for players that have more skill, kick
2 balls away during switches.

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