Animated Soccer Drills

To set up this soccer drill, set up four cones in a rectangle that is about 15 x 25 yards.  There will be 3 players on one team against 1 defensive player. One offensive player is inside the rectangle and is gaurded by the defensive player.  There are two offensive players at each end line.  To start the drill, give the ball to one of the players on the end line.  This player has the option to pass to their team mate inside the box, or pass to the team mate at the opposite end line.  The objective is to get these players to recognize the passing lanes and make the pass to the correct player.  If the player insidd the box is well covered by the defense, then the player on the opposite end line needs to find the lane and present themselves so that the player with the ball has an easy pass.  If the defender chooses to defend the long pass, then the short pass will be available.  For higher level players you can make a rule that passes between the end lines have to be in the air.

This is a good warm up soccer drill where players are constantly moving and trying to get into a rhythm with their passing.  Divide players into groups of three with one ball per group.  Start the drill with two players close together and the third player about 20 to 30 yards away.  P1 start with the ball and makes a pass to P2.  P1 runs into space and receives the ball right back from P2.  P1 then makes the long pass to P3 and sprints towards P3.  P3 then starts the drill over with a short pass to P1, receives a short pass back from P1, and then makes the long pass to P2. The drill repeats for a set amount of time or until the players get into a rhythm and make a certain amount of passes in a row.

This soccer drill is intended for more advanced players but can be modified to suite younger players by eliminating the header.  The drill starts when P2 gives P3 a pass in the air intended for the head.  P3 heads the ball into space across the field where P1 runs into it and shoots.  P1 then runs to P2's position, P2 runs to P3's position, and P3 runs to the end of the line where P1 just came from.  This drill is to simulate an attack play.  P3's header should be put into space behind the would be defenders where P1 can run full speed into the pass.

In this soccer passing drill, four cones are set up in a square anywhere from 10 to 20 yards apart. In this diagram, F1 starts the drill by dribbling to the open cone and then making a pass diagonal to P2. P2 then dribbles the ball to the open cone vacated by F1 and makes a diagonal pass to P3. P3 then dribbles to the open cone (vacated by P2) and makes a pass over to F1. The process repeats until the whistle blows and then the drill can be run in the opposite direction.

This soccer drill requires quick sharp passes.  The Player 1 starts by passing to Player 2.  Player 2 one touches the ball to player 3 and so on until the ball gets to Player 7 who dribbles a couple of yards towards the center of the field and rips a shot on net.  Each player follows their pass in a sprint because the next pass is coming right behind them.  The next player in line starts when the player in front of them is ready to receive the pass.