Football | Football Drills

Encouraging 1st time shooting by using the correct technique to take the shot early and finish from close range. Get your knee over the ball and use the pace of the ball to generate the power. By trying to strike the ball too hard, the likelihoood is the accuracy will be poor. Blue 1 plays ball into area and clue 2 moves in to shoot 1st time. Blue 2 goes to replace blue 1 and blue 1 runs around working area to take blue 2s place.

A Christmas themed fun football drill for players. Set up as shown in diagram with cones in the shape of a Christmas tree. Players line up in 2 lines. On the whistle, players must run in the direction show on the diagram. First one to the ball, earns the right to shoot at the keeper. Split into 2 teams and keep score. Try to match players with similar agility.

Set up two lines of players as show in the image, about 30m from the goals. The first player dribbles with the ball at pace and then puts their foot on top of the ball, to leave it dead in front of the other player. The first player continues their run around the cone in front of them and then runs back inside the area. The receiver uses a positive first touch to move into space and then try to finish through one of the wide goals. The first player should have continued their run and now tries to put pressure on the receiver's shot.

Position players in groups of 4 as shown in the diagram. Repeat in 2 other areas for a total of 12 players. The server (player 3) stands behind the goalkeeper. He makes a pass out to the shooter who strikes the ball 1st time at the goal. This shot must come from the grid at the right of the diagram. Player 2 retrieves any balls from behind the goal. Repeat and rotate. Progression: Serve the ball for a volley or 1/2 volley.

Receiving the ball and either turning out or in to have a shot at goal

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 groups of 4 (see progression). Player 1 starts with the ball then passes out wide. Player 2 receives the ball dribbles forward then checks back and plays the ball to player 1 who switches the ball to player 3. Keep repeating this sequence.

Two players begin the drill on the wings with the ball, while to players wait in the centre. The two players on the wing will run in opposite directions (attacking opposite goals). The central players begin their run once the crosser has taken their first touch. After the cross has been delivered players swap roles.

2 players outside the area play a ball into one of their players in the grid.  The 2 players in the grid play 2 v 4 to try and score a goal on the half way line by dribbling the balll through the gate. The 4 players try to win the ball and when they do they have to break as quick as they can and try to score a goal. the only 2 defenders that can stop them are the 2 defenders out side the grid. (Blue dot players)

One player gives a signal at the back of the box and the corner taker relays this to the team. The corner is then taken with the players having different roles. The player who gave the signal plays a 1,2 with the corner taker, passing it back after receiving it from the corner taker. The corner taker receives it back, who then delivers a low cross.The three players should all make runs to the 6-yard area, where they should be able to lose their markers and attack the ball.

With the signal given by a player and then the corner taker, the ball is delivered to the signal-giver at the front post. This player then plays a 1,2 with the corner taker, who then crosses the ball to the back post. Here, one of three players who have made a run from the edge of the box should be able to attack the ball. The rest of the team should make runs to create space and time for the pass to happen.

Organize groups of 6. Station goalkeepers in a goal at each end line. Place 2 players inside the area and 2 wide players outside the area. Goalkeepers should have a supply of balls. Repeat in another area for a total of 12 players. White goalkeeper distributes the ball to player white 1, who advances the ball up the touchline with his first touch and crosses the ball to player white 2 with his second touch. Keepers must stay on their line throughout the practice. Repeat in the opposite direction from red goalkeeper to red player 1 and red player 2. The wide player should attempt to vary his crosses to near, middle and far post positions.

Set up your team in a small sided game on a pitch running from the edge of the penalty area to the half-way line. Play normal rules except for the fact that during the drill, players are not allowed to talk during the game. Players cannot call for the ball, tell a player where to go or where they want the ball passed to. This really emphasises the importance of communication. If a player does speak, then a free-kick is given to the opposite team.

Number 2 groups of players from 1-5 and get them to stand on either side of the goal. Call a number. The two players (one from each side) whose number was called race around the cones to enter the area. When a player has entered through the gate the coach feeds the ball to the side where the first player has entered. Player runs onto the ball and tries to score before the other player can make a challenge/block.

3 teams of 6: red blue and yellow. Set up an area starting at the edge of the penalty box, 44 yards wide and about 20 yards long. 2 teams start in the area with the other team spaced evenly around the edge. Games of 6 vs 6 using the outside players as extras for whichever team has the ball: 3 minute rotation (including the players on the outside) The aim of this is for teams to keep possession of the ball for as long as possible. The players on the outside are 2 touch only. Have a goal at each end with Goalkeepers. The 2 outside players (yellow) nearest the top goal are numbered "1" and those nearest the bottom goal are numbered "2". One team attacks towards the end with the "1" players, the other towards the "2" players. Once a team in the area has had 6 consecutive passes then they can play the ball to the players "1" or "2" and then can enter the penalty area to shoot at goal. Players "1" or "2" only have 2 touches to pass to the player running in. If players aren't getting enough opportunities to take shots, due to not breaking through Defence then each team can shoot in both goals. This will create more space for both of them. 6 games, so each team plays the others twice.

The crossing player starts with the ball on the half-way line before coming forward and playing one-two's with the players in the cones, while continuing their run forward down the wing. After recieving the second pass, the crosser will now cross into the box, where two attackers will try to beat two defenders and a goalkeeper to the ball and score. The attackers start in the coned area outside the penalty area and sprint into the box once the crosser has received their second pass.