Football Drills

The 4 players inside the blue square must protect the square and stop the ball carriers entering. To begin with the players inside the square are only allowed to shadow and block the outside players from entering. One point is scored by each player who successfully carries out their objective. If the defender wins the ball then the players switch roles.

Objective: Opposed practice developing recovery runs and increase understanding on roles and responsibilities. Detail: Mark out 4 channels / areas 15 x 30 (age / ability dependant). Players are organised into groups of 4. Each group work within a channel. Player one serves the ball to player 3 who attempts to beat player 2. Player 2 must retreat into own half before applying pressure.

Set up a line of defenders on both sides of your 18 yard box and two lines of attackers roughly in line with the edge of the center circle. On the coach's call the attackers should sprint towards the goal. At the same time the defender should run out and try to do the following: Get themselves between the attacker and the goal. Try to channel the attacker out towards the wing. Slow the attacker down to force their head down. If possible make the interception

Play 5 v 5 +1 goalkeeper at each end. Only defending players and goalkeepers are allowed in the end zones. The game is started by the coach playing the ball into an end zone. The object of the game is for the team to score with a shot on the opposite goal. A defensive player receives the ball from the goalkeeper at the top of the diagram. The defenders must attempt to pass the ball around the area until an opportunity arises to play the ball forward to the lone striker. Defenders and midfield players must then push forward toward the opposing goal line in support of the attack. Defenders and midfield players should retain position until they are able to play the ball forward without fear of losing possession.

Play 3 v 3 in the middle area with goalkeepers stationed in each of the goals. Balls are placed around the field so that as soon as a ball goes out, the closest ball is played in. As soon as a player receives the ball from the goalkeeper or an outfield teammate, he should attempt a shot on goal. The defending team must attempt to pressure the ball carrier and closely mark all other attacking players.

High Intensity drill This a 6 vs 2 invasion game. Mark out three areas in a line (each box 15m x 25m) using cones (You can adjust the area based on the level of the players and if it is too easy for the Attackers or Defenders). Start with 6 players in each of the two end areas and 4 in the middle area. The aim of this drill is for the 6 players in each end to keep possession of the ball, with those in the middle taking turns to try and win the ball. Players in the end zone have 2 touches maximum or a point goes to the Defenders. To start, a Feeder will throw the ball into one of the ends. Two Defenders will then move into the relevant end and chase down passes in an effort to win the ball back in a 6 vs 2 game. The 6 players will be passing the ball amongst themselves. Once they have completed 6 successful passes then they can pass to the opposite end. When this happens, the players left in the middle will enter that end and do the same thing. The Defenders work for 3 minutes then rotate the playing positions around.

Two players line up on opposite sides of the grid to each other, with a third player placed between them in goal. Player 1 dribbles the ball around the cone and then tries to score in the goal. Player 2 must also run around the far cone before then attempting to stop player 1 from scoring.

Two players line up on opposite sides of a square. The attacking player dribbles the ball towards the centre before then attempting to stop the ball between one of the goals. The goal nearest to the defender's starting point is worth 10 points as it is the hardest goal to stop the ball in. The middle goal is worth 5 and the top goal only 1 point.

The players with ball stand by the middle cones. Players in the middle begin to dribble towards the touch line, then on command of the player making the run play a reverse ball into space for the attacking player to run onto to score.

Players must run through the cones with the ball under control. When they reach the final cone they have one final touch to set the ball and then they must shoot into the far corner. After shooting players collect the other players' ball and then dribble to the back of the other line.

The first player at Cone 1 passes the ball to Cone 2, then performs quick feet through the rope ladder, cones or over the hurdles, before sprinting to the pole and joining the queue at the next cone. The player at Cone 2 does the same and this continues around the triangle.

Players start on the touchline and side-step quickly inside the pitch towards the blue cone. When they reach the cone the red players should be ready to throw the ball to either the player's heads or chests. Depending on the feed players should either head the ball straight back to the feeder's feet or control and then play the return pass. The red player then plays a wide pass for the blue player to run onto. Once the blue player has run onto the pass they join the back of the feeders' line and the red player runs to the start line.

Ball is dropped onto the thigh, before first time passing the ball to a partner.

How accurate are your players long passes? This fun drill lets you find out. Like on an archery board have different target zones - a central 'bull's eye' and then two outer targets. From one side of the pitch to the other players take it in turns to have 4 consecutive cross-field passes, all the time trying to get the ball to land inside the 'bull's eye'.

Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair. The first player makes a square pass across the grid to their partner before running onto the cone ahead. Their partner then plays a pass diagonally across the grid back to their partner who is looking to run onto the ball. The player who started the drill then plays square across the grid again to their partner running onto the ball. The players work their way up to the top of the grid.

Setup: Full half field, central channel which the first attacking team starts in. Waves of attack vs defence.   Explanation:   The ball starts with the coach who plays to the greens and are trying to score. If they score in the direction they are attacking, they turn and return to the middle and attack the other team If they miss the target or the attack breaks down they must swap with the defending team and that defending team now becomes the attacking team Counting scores i.e goals scored. Working with 4 players being desperate to disrupt the attack and get the chance to be the attackers. If defending team win the ball they must find the middle area with a player in there to get the chance to attack