Football | Football Drills

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.

There are two triangles in this drill, both using the same top point player (player 5). Players in the top triangle pass in an anti-clockwise direction and players in the lower triangle pass in a clock-wise direction. Both pairs of players must use the middle player as their third passing option.

The aim of the drill is to work on helping your team keep possession all over the field. The game starts with normal rules, no limitations on touches, with both teams simply trying to score. The game changes when the coach shouts the following: 1. Possession - Players must keep possession in their own half, which of course means they are not allowed to score. If a team wins the ball, they must take the ball to their own half and try and keep it. 2. Normal - Teams return to a normal game and are allowed to score. 3. Barca - Similar to possession, but this time players must attempt to keep the ball in the other teams half, but they are not allowed to score. If the other team wins the ball they must get the ball into their opponent's half and keep it there.

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.

The drills starts with one player from group 1 (reds) running with a ball to the opposing goal, trying to score. As soon as they have a shot at goal, a player from group 2 (yellows) runs with a ball to the other goal to try and score. The player that had the first shot has to try and defend against the player from group 2. When this player scores or loses the ball to the defender, the next player starts from group 1 and the player that had the shot becomes the new defender. The player that had the first shot and then defended, goes to the back of there queue. (Players should always finish up in the same queue and attack the same goal).

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.

Set up as shown. Player 1 starts with the ball in the middle of the field and plays a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing out wide to player 3. At this point, players 1 and 2 run towards the penalty area, ready to receive a cross, while one of the defenders goes out wide to put pressure on the crosser. Player 3 will cross the ball into the box where players 1 and 2 will try to beat the defender to it and score.

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.

Working in pairs, players run between hurdles and pass the ball through them. One player will start behind the hurdle and receive the pass, with the other player passing through before swapping roles before the next hurdle.

1) White 1 stands 10 yards from players. 2) Players pass ball to white 1 and run around the D; - white 1 lays ball off for each player to shoot. 3) Must be a moving ball. 4) Coach - angle of shot - technique and timing.

Set up 3 service points around the goal. Make sure one is central and two others either side One GK working. Servers should take it in turns to drill the ball from the floor to the working GK. GK saves/catches the ball and returns it to where the kick came from. GK returns quickly to set position for the next shot. Good for outfield players to work at striking the ball at the target too.

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.

Set up 3 cones (or poles) spaced as shown in the diagram. Have a mannequin positioned on either side of the middle, just before the penalty box. Have a Player positioned on the backline to the left side in the penalty box with a ball. Have another Player (W) positioned out wide to the right side with a ball. A Player starts halfway between the centre circle and goal; dribbles the ball around the cones and in between the mannequins to take a shot. After first shot, Player quickly moves around the left hand mannequin and gets a cross from the wide player. Then the Player recovers around the right hand mannequin to receive the ball from the player on the goal line. Rotate the players around ever play (shooter > winger > backline player > shooter line)

Players line up in 3 groups. Player 1 from the left of the square moves into the square. Player 1 from the top of the square plays the ball into the player in the square. Player 1 then moves in on goal. Then rotate the players moving into the square.

Player 1 starts with the ball. The ball is played in with pace to the feet of player 2. As the ball is played in player 2 moves to the ball, and with their first touch aim to bring the ball inside and round the defender. The same can be done on the outside towards the touch line.

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.