Coaching Drills

Drill 1

A passing, dribbling and shooting game where one side is given an extra player (2 v 1)

Game Rules
Have substitute players to replace those who are playing.
One team has a single outfield player, the other has two, and both have a goalkeeper.
Several balls should be kept within each goal to keep a ball in play.
Make the goal four yards wide, and create a play area 25 yards by 15 yards.
Encourage both teams to score even though one has a manpower advantage.
When the ball is out of play, start the game at the goal line by the goalkeeper.
Keep score.

Player Objectives
Watch the ball but keep head up to observe opponents and the goal.
Team with two outfield players:
The player in possession has two options - pass the ball or keep it.
Pass to teammate with pace and accuracy, and use teamwork to score.
For the player not in possession, support teammate by being visible.
Team with one outfield player:
Player in possession keeps the ball until the angle to shoot exists, then tries to score.
Manipulate the ball, keeping body between opponents and the ball.
Change pace and direction.

Drill 2

A 1 v 1 v 1 game that induces the player in possession to create a shooting position

Game Rules
One ball for three players in the area shown in the diagram, approximately 15 yards square.
Each player plays against the other two players.
Each player tries to score in a goal four to five yards wide.
When the ball goes out of play, the coach puts another ball in play.
Goalkeeper making a save throws the ball to the coach.
After 10 balls are served, all three players and the goalkeeper are changed.
Keep score and play the winners against each other to name the champion.

Player Objectives
Control the ball from the coach.
Manipulate the ball to avoid challenges.
Shield the ball when necessary.
Change direction - turn with the ball.
Change pace.
Shoot at the earliest opportunity.

Drill 3

A passing, dribbling and shooting game where one side is given an extra player (2 v 1)

Game Rules
Divide the players into two teams.
Toss a coin to determine offensive team and defensive team.
All the play takes place within the area shown - 20 yards by 15 yards, with a goal five yards wide.
Keep a large supply of balls.
Play four minutes and then change to allow the defending team to attack and the attacking team to defend.
Keep score.
The coach starts the play by serving the ball to any of the three attackers at the front of a line.
The three combine to score a goal.
When the coach serves the ball, the two front defenders may leave their positions
and try to prevent the attacking team from scoring.
When a goal is scored or the goalkeeper makes a save or the ball goes out of play,
the five players leave the area quickly to allow five more players to play.

Player Objectives
Player with the ball:
Control the ball from the coach.
Manipulate the ball to avoid challenge.
Shoot at the earliest good opportunity.
Attacking players without the ball:
Support the player in possession of the ball.
Know where and when to run so that a pass from the player with the ball cannot be intercepted.

Drill 4

A fun game which encourages good kicking technique and develops passing skills

Game Rules
Mark out an area approximately 15 yards by 10 yards with a goal three yards wide in the middle.
Each player remains behind his own line.
A shot can be played with the inside or outside of the foot through the goal.
The receiving player controls the ball behind his line and tries to pass the ball through the goal (if by lack of control the ball rebounds into the goal, it does not count).
As the players improve, increase the length of the area of decrease the size of the goal.
Limit the touches to three or, as players improve, to two.
Play the game for five minutes and have the players keep score.

Player Objectives
To control the ball and set up the pass.
To achieve pace and accuracy of passes.

Drill 5

A fun centre circle practice that develops accurate kicking

Game Rules
Eight players on the outside of the centre circle.
Each player on one side of the circle has a partner directly opposite.
Each pair has one ball between them.
One player passes the ball towards his or her partner but tries to knock over a cone in the centre circle.
The partner retrieves the ball and returns the pass through the centre circle, again trying to kick over a cone.
The ball must be passed from outside the circle.
The game is stopped to pick up the cones.
The winners are the pair to first knock over the cones 10 times.

Player Objectives
To achieve pace and accuracy of pass.

Drill 6

A fun circle game that develops combined passing and shooting

Game Rules
Make the goal one cone placed inside an area with a radius of approximately six yards.
If a liner is not available, the circumference can be marked out with frisbees, bibs or other cones.
The team in dark uniforms plays against the team in white.
A goal is scored when the ball is played from outside the area to knock over the cone.
All players are allowed to run through the circle but no player is allowed to touch the ball in the circle.
If any player touches the ball in the area, the opposing team has a free shot at the "goal" from the edge of the circle.
Keep score.

Player Objectives
Player in possession:
To keep an eye on the ball and keep the head up to observe teammates, opponents and the goal.
To maintain possession of the ball by keeping one's body between the ball and opponent.
To change direction, by turning with the ball, and to change pace.
To pass to teammates and choose which teammate is the better option.
To achieve pace and accuracy of pass.
Players not in possession:
To support the player with the ball.
To know where and when to run.
To know not to make the same run as other supporting players, or to crowd the player in possession of the ball.

NOTE: The game should be no longer than three minutes before allowing players to rest.
The competitive 3-a-side nature of the game is physically demanding.
Quality of play deteriorates as players become fatigued. It is important they have the opportunity to recover.
With a group of 12, six play and six rest. Change frequently.

Drill 7

A 3-a-side game which emphasizes dribbling, passing and shooting

Game Rules
A normal 3-a-side game in an area approximately 30 yards by 20 yards, except that it is played around one goal rather than two.
Emphasize shooting at goal at the earliest opportunity.
Players combine to create goal-scoring opportunity.
Team in the dark uniforms can score only from the left side of the field, and team in white only from the right side.
Re-start game with a throw-in any time the ball goes out of bounds.
When goalkeeper makes a save from one team, he throws the ball into the opposing half of the field.

Player Objectives
To take early shots from within shooting distance of the goal.
To provide support for the player with the ball.