Soccer
Soccer Skills and Drills for Young Athletes
Simple, practical drills to help young players build dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, defending, teamwork, and confidence.
For young athletes, soccer should be about learning the ball, moving constantly, making simple decisions, and having fun.
Beginner Soccer Skills
Start with the basics: dribbling with control, stopping the ball, passing, receiving, shooting, changing direction, defending, and learning how to spread out.
For ages 6–9, every player should spend as much time as possible with a ball at their feet.
The more touches they get, the faster they improve.
Progression to Dribbling the Soccer Ball
Dribbling is one of the first skills young soccer players need to feel confident on the field.
For beginners, the goal is not fancy moves.
The goal is to keep the ball close enough to control while still being able to move.
Step 1: Body Position
Teach players to:
Stay balanced.
Bend their knees slightly.
Keep their head up as much as possible.
Take small touches when defenders are nearby.
Take larger touches when there is open space.
A simple cue is:
“Small touches in traffic. Big touches in space.”
Step 2: Learn the Different Surfaces of the Foot
Young players should learn to use more than just their toe.
Teach them to dribble with:
Inside of the Foot: Good for control and changing direction.
Outside of the Foot: Helpful for moving quickly and turning.
Laces: Useful when pushing the ball forward into open space.
Step 3: Dribbling Progression
1. Free Dribble
Give every player a ball.
Let them dribble inside a designated area.
Encourage them to change direction and avoid other players.
2. Dribble & Freeze
Players dribble until the coach calls:
“FREEZE!”
They stop the ball immediately using the bottom of the foot.
3. Change Direction
Players dribble toward a cone, turn, and move another direction.
Practice turning with:
Inside of the foot
Outside of the foot
Bottom of the foot
4. Dribble With Eyes Up
The coach holds up fingers, colored cones, or gives directions while players dribble.
Players must look up and respond while keeping control of the ball.
Fun Dribbling Drills
Red Light, Green Light: Players dribble on green and stop the ball on red.
Sharks & Minnows: Players dribble across the field while defenders try to knock their balls away.
Cone Maze: Players weave through cones using both feet.
Treasure Hunt: Scatter cones or objects throughout an area. Players dribble to collect or touch them.
Key Coaching Points
Keep the Ball Close.
Use Both Feet.
Look Up.
Change Speed.
Control Before Speed.
Progression to Passing the Soccer Ball
Passing teaches young players that soccer is easier when they work together.
The first goal is simple:
Pass the ball accurately to a teammate.
Step 1: Passing Technique
Teach players to:
Place the non-kicking foot beside the ball.
Point the non-kicking foot toward the target.
Turn the kicking foot outward.
Contact the middle of the ball with the inside of the foot.
Follow through toward the teammate.
A simple cue is:
“Plant – Point – Pass.”
Step 2: Passing Progression
1. Short Partner Passes
Partners stand about 5–6 feet apart.
Players gently pass the ball back and forth.
The goal is accuracy, not power.
2. Pass Through the Gate
Place two cones several feet apart.
Partners try to pass the ball through the gate to each other.
Gradually make the gate smaller.
3. Pass & Move
After passing, players move to a new spot.
Teach the idea:
Don’t stand and watch your pass.
4. Triangle Passing
Place three players in a triangle.
Players pass and move around the triangle.
This introduces spacing and looking for teammates.
Fun Passing Drills
Gate Challenge: Set up many small cone gates. Partners score a point every time they complete a pass through a gate.
Pass Around the Square: Four players pass around a small square while moving.
Beat the Coach: Players earn a point for successful passes. The coach earns a point for missed passes.
Passing Relay: Teams move the ball down the field by passing rather than dribbling.
Key Coaching Points
Use the Inside of the Foot.
Point the Plant Foot at the Target.
Pass With Control.
Move After You Pass.
Progression to Receiving the Soccer Ball
A good first touch helps a player control the ball instead of letting it bounce away.
For young players, receiving should be simple.
Teach them to cushion the ball and keep it nearby.
Step 1: Soft First Touch
Instead of stopping the ball with a stiff foot, players should relax and gently receive it.
A simple cue is:
“Soft feet.”
Step 2: Receiving Progression
1. Stop the Ball
A partner gently passes the ball.
The receiver traps it with the inside or bottom of the foot.
2. Receive & Pass
Players receive the ball, take control, and pass it back.
3. First Touch to Space
Instead of stopping the ball directly underneath the body, players take their first touch slightly to the side.
This prepares them for the next move.
4. Receive & Turn
Players receive the ball and turn toward a cone or goal.
Key Coaching Points
Watch the Ball.
Use Soft Feet.
Keep the Ball Close.
Think About Your Next Move.
Progression to Shooting the Soccer Ball
Young players love shooting.
The challenge is teaching them to shoot with good technique instead of simply kicking the ball as hard as possible.
Step 1: Shooting Setup
Teach players to:
Approach the ball under control.
Place the non-kicking foot beside the ball.
Point the plant foot toward the target.
Keep the head steady.
Strike through the ball.
Step 2: Shooting With the Laces
For a stronger shot, players can use the top of the foot near the laces.
The ankle should stay firm.
A simple cue is:
“Toe down, ankle strong.”
Step 3: Shooting Progression
1. Stationary Ball
Place the ball several yards from the goal.
Players focus on technique.
2. Dribble & Shoot
Players dribble toward the goal and shoot before getting too close.
3. Receive & Shoot
The coach or teammate passes the ball.
The player controls it and shoots.
4. Shoot Under Pressure
Add a passive defender.
Gradually increase pressure as players improve.
Fun Shooting Drills
Hit the Corners: Place cones near the corners of the goal. Players try to shoot toward them.
Score on Coach: The coach plays goalkeeper.
Dribble & Finish: Players dribble through cones before taking a shot.
Team Shooting Challenge: Teams try to score a certain number of goals.
Key Coaching Points
Look at the Target.
Plant Beside the Ball.
Keep the Ankle Firm.
Accuracy Before Power.
Progression to Defending
Young defenders often chase the ball.
Teach them first to slow the attacker down and stay between the attacker and the goal.
Step 1: Defensive Position
Teach players to:
Stay balanced.
Bend their knees.
Keep their body slightly sideways.
Watch the ball.
Stay between the attacker and the goal.
A simple cue is:
“Slow them down.”
Step 2: Defensive Progression
1. Mirror Drill
Partners face each other.
One player moves side-to-side while the defender mirrors the movement.
2. Guard the Gate
Two cones form a goal or gate.
The attacker tries to dribble through.
The defender works to block the path.
3. One-on-One
The attacker tries to dribble toward a small goal.
The defender tries to delay, contain, and win the ball.
4. Recovery Run
The defender begins slightly behind the attacker and must sprint back into position.
Key Coaching Points
Stay Between the Player and Goal.
Don’t Dive In.
Move Your Feet.
Be Patient.
Win the Ball When the Opportunity Appears.
Progression to Turning & Changing Direction
Young players need to learn how to escape pressure and move into open space.
Basic Turns
Inside Turn
Use the inside of the foot to push the ball in a new direction.
Outside Turn
Use the outside of the foot to turn away.
Pull-Back Turn
Place the sole of the foot on top of the ball and pull it backward.
Stop & Go
Stop the ball, change direction, and accelerate.
Fun Turning Drills
Cone Turn: Dribble to a cone, perform a turn, and return.
Coach Says: The coach calls the type of turn.
Escape the Defender: A player dribbles toward a passive defender, turns, and moves away.
Turn & Race: Two players perform a turn and race toward a finish line.
Progression to Goalkeeping
At young ages, players should rotate through goalkeeper rather than having one child specialize too early.
Keep goalkeeper instruction simple.
Teach players to:
Get behind the ball.
Use two hands when possible.
Watch the ball.
Stay balanced.
Move toward the ball.
Basic Goalkeeper Drills
Coach Roll
The coach gently rolls the ball toward the goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper gets behind it and gathers with two hands.
Side-to-Side Save
Roll balls slightly to the left and right.
The goalkeeper moves feet first and then collects.
Catch & Roll
The goalkeeper catches the ball and rolls it accurately to a teammate.
Goalkeeper Challenge
Players take turns shooting gentle balls while everyone rotates through goal.
Key Coaching Points
Get Behind the Ball.
Use Two Hands.
Watch the Ball.
Move Your Feet.
Learning to Spread Out
Young soccer players naturally want to chase the ball.
You may see nearly every player crowded together around it.
This is normal.
Teach spacing gradually.
A simple coaching phrase is:
“Find the grass.”
Encourage players without the ball to move into open areas.
Simple Team Concepts
Teach young players to:
Spread Out: Don’t all chase the ball.
Look for Teammates: Passing can be easier than dribbling through everyone.
Move After Passing: Find another open space.
Attack the Open Space: If there is room, dribble forward.
Come Back on Defense: Everyone helps defend.
Small-Sided Soccer Games
For young players, small-sided soccer is one of the best teaching tools.
Use plenty of:
1-on-1
2-on-2
3-on-3
Small-sided games give every child more opportunities to:
Dribble
Pass
Shoot
Defend
Make decisions
Touch the ball
In large games, a young player may go several minutes without touching the ball.
In a 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 game, everyone has to participate.
Fun Soccer Games for Practice
Sharks & Minnows
Every player has a ball except the sharks.
Players try to dribble across the field without having their ball kicked away.
Red Light, Green Light
Players dribble toward the coach.
Green Light: Dribble.
Yellow Light: Slow down.
Red Light: Stop the ball.
Add:
Purple Light: Change direction.
Blue Light: Switch feet.
Knockout
Players dribble inside a designated area.
They protect their own ball while attempting to knock another player’s ball outside the area.
Clean Your Room
Divide the field into two halves.
Place soccer balls on both sides.
Players kick the balls into the other team’s half.
When time expires, the team with fewer balls on its side wins.
Numbers Game
Divide players into two teams and give each player a number.
Place a ball in the middle.
Call a number.
The matching players race onto the field and play 1-on-1.
Later call two numbers for 2-on-2.
Treasure Hunt
Scatter cones or objects around the field.
Players dribble to different treasures while keeping control of the ball.
Small-Goal Soccer
Use cones to create small goals.
Play 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 with no goalkeeper.
Small goals encourage passing, dribbling, movement, and accurate shooting.
Simple Soccer Stations
Stations are a great way to keep young players active.
Divide players into small groups and rotate every few minutes.
Station 1: Dribbling
Players dribble through cones and practice changing direction.
Station 2: Passing
Partners pass through small gates.
Station 3: Shooting
Players dribble toward goal and shoot.
Station 4: Ball Control
Players practice trapping, turning, and receiving.
Station 5: One-on-One
Short attacking and defending games.
Stations reduce standing and give players many more touches on the ball.
Coaching Tips for 6–9-Year-Old Soccer Players
Give Every Player a Ball: During dribbling activities, each player should have a ball whenever possible.
Keep Lines Short: Long lines mean fewer touches.
Use Small Groups: Small groups create more repetitions and involvement.
Don’t Over-Coach: Young players need time to explore and make decisions.
Demonstrate Quickly: Show the skill, then let players try it.
Correct One Thing at a Time: Too many instructions can overwhelm beginners.
Use Both Feet: Encourage players to practice with the right and left foot.
Rotate Positions: Let children experience offense, defense, and goalkeeper.
Praise More Than Goals: Celebrate good passes, smart movement, hustle, defense, and teamwork.
Let Them Play: Some of the best learning happens during small games.
A Simple Practice Formula
For young soccer players, a practice might follow this pattern:
Warm-Up With a Ball
Dribbling games and movement.
Individual Skills
Dribbling, passing, receiving, or shooting.
Small Groups
Partner drills and stations.
Small-Sided Games
1-on-1, 2-on-2, and 3-on-3.
Team Play
A short scrimmage.
Fun Finish
End with a favorite competition or game.
Coach Grammy Tip
Young soccer players don’t need complicated formations or long lectures.
They need a soccer ball at their feet.
Give them opportunities to dribble, pass, shoot, defend, make decisions, and play.
The more touches they get, the more confident they become.
And confidence makes young athletes want to keep playing.
Lots of touches. Lots of movement. Lots of encouragement. That’s how young soccer players grow.