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Soccer drills for

  • Player in red plays a long ball to the goalkeeper
  • Goalkeeper rebounds
  • Red comes running in and plays to blue
  • Blue takes the pass, turns and sends white deep
  • White crosses while blue defends on red

  • Red passes to Blue
  • Blue to White and
  • White to Red
drawing Long ball - Passing - Finishing
  • Duration:
    • 20 min
  • Distance:
    • Width per section 6 mtr length 8 mtr.
  • Objective:
    • Search for the attacker in possession of the ball and pass to him so that he can score.
    • The four players are only allowed to move in their own box to protect the passing line.
    • The 2 attackers are free to move around the four squares but behind the defenders.
    • When the ball is in the possession of the attacker, the defender can try to conquer it in that square.
    • If scoring is too easy, the attackers are obliged to play at least once before they can score.
    • When there are more players in the box, you have to add more players.
    • If there is an uneven number of players, 1 team has more attackers but then the rule that attackers must play at least 1x over before they can score comes into effect.
drawing positional play 4 goals
  • Within the defined field, play is 4x4.
  • At each edge a neutral player stands.
  • This player is not allowed to enter the field, but has to move (offer).
  • Switching is easy when every team has its own colour.
drawing Position game 8x4 with 4 neutral players (P01)
  • The neutral players stand on the sideline.
  • The game is played with pupil goals.
  • Defenders can score directly after possession of the ball.
  • Attackers must pass over X times.
drawing Position play with line players (P03)
  • On half the pitch and with a large goal, overtal is played out.
  • The neutral players remain on the flank, but move about (offer).
  • The defence can score on a small pupil goal when they catch the ball.
drawing Position game 6x4+K on half field (P04)
  • The neutral players stand on the sideline.
  • The game is played with pupil goals.
  • Defenders can score directly after possession of the ball.
  • Attackers must pass over X times.
drawing (P03) Position play with line players
  • 2 goalkeepers in goal.
  • Defender passes ball to K1, defender runs free and gets ball, after which he looks for other goal and finishes on K2.
  • Duration: 10 min.
drawing warm-up 2 - return ball on goalkeeper + finish
  • Exercise double lining up.
  • O1 plays in to O2.
  • O2 plays long ball to K. K controls/catch ball and plays out the 3 on 2.
  • When O1/O2 take ball they score at big goal with K .
  • K + A1 and A2 score at small goal which O1/O2 defend.
  • Duration:
    • 15 min.
  • Passing on :
    • O1/O2 become A1/A2 and vice versa.
drawing Exercise 1 - goalkeepers 3VS 2
  • Trainer kicks depth ball.
  • K decides whether to come out or defend goal.
  • Attacker tries to take ball away and score on goal.
  • If goalkeeper has ball, 2 on off via O.
  • Attacker takes ball with him and may not finish in 1 time.
  • Line up twice (2 trainers).
  • Duration 15 minutes.
  • Upgrade 1 :
    • Trainer chooses high ball.
  • Upgrade 2 :
    • 2 attackers instead of 1 (2 VS 2), attacker 2 may only join when goalkeeper can play.
drawing Exercise 2 - execution via goalkeepers - goalkeeper interaction with upgrade
  • Possibly double line up.
  • 2 trainers.
  • Duration 10 min.
  • Goalkeeper 1 kicks out to goalkeeper 2 (long ball).
  • Goalkeeper 2 controls and builds up attack via A1.
  • A1 plays on opposite flank A2 .
  • A1/A2 and goalkeeper 2 build on goal K1.
  • Defenders join in.
  • Passing attackers become defenders.
drawing Exercise 3 - goalkeeping with goalkeepers 3 VS 3

This exercise will improve the passing game. We also increase the difficulty by starting the same exercise at two sides. The passing has already been done for the U23 and U12 but can also be used for younger players.

It is a simple form which can be done in a space of 20m by 20m or smaller. If you want the pass line 3 to be longer and tighter, you have to draw it backwards.

A and D start the exercise together by passing to B and E (1), who then pass the ball back (2). A and D run in on the ball and play diagonally to C and F (3). Here, both players have to be careful not to bump into each other, so vista is important in passing. B and E turn around and ask a 1/2 from C and F (4,5). C and F guide the ball further to the starting position to start again (6). The players continue to advance according to the letter.
A-B-C-D-E-F-A.

You can always run this pass at a high tempo. If you have a younger age group which is a bit sluggish, then allow a ball control in the passing.

The fun aspect is always possible too. You place a small goal in the zone of A and D.C and F try to score a goal after the double pass. The one who scores the fastest is the winner.

This time we have put online a game form in which you play 4vs4 in the middle and each team has 2 more players in a neutral zone on the sides. This type of game has been practiced many times by our teams and first teams. With emphasis on fast passing and deep running.

Age category: U14 to U21 and first team.

This type of game can be played on a 15m x 30m pitch. This depends on the age of the players and the pressure they are under. If you want to play in this shorter space, make it smaller. Otherwise, make it bigger. The endzone is about 2 to 3 m deep.

In the middle you play 4vs4 and on both sides both teams have 2 players who have to play in 1 time.

The 4 middle players try to control the ball in the endzone, but the last pass must be made in 1 time.

As you can see on the picture, the ball is played in by the back player to the outfield player (1), who immediately passes (2). The middle player passes to the furthest player (3), and the furthest player looks for the 3rd man in between, who opens up in the deep (4). The latter then checks the endzone to score.
Like in the picture, you can also place fixed cones or dolls as an extra difficulty.

Of course you can increase the number of ball keys according to the age.
There are always extra rules that you can add. E.g. it should not be the 3rd man to score.
This type of game can be used perfectly in your periodization.