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Football (soccer) drill library

Game exercises and small-sided games

Game exercises help players understand the basics of the game and develop their playing skills.

Drills: Game

football drill: Four-zone 5v5
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Four-zone 5v5

5v5 small-sided game with goals. Before scoring, the ball must visit all four zones (the field is divided into four parts). When the defending team wins possession, they have five seconds to score. If...
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football drill: End Zone Game
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End Zone Game

Create goal areas at both ends of the field. The aim is to play the ball into the end zone with a pass, but the receiving player cannot be waiting in the area ready for the pass. After a goal is...
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football drill: 2v2 tournament
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2v2 tournament

Play short 2-minute 2v2 matches on numbered fields. The winner always moves up in numbers and the loser moves down. Collect the balls between the fields, from where the quickest player can grab the...
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football drill: Advancing by passing
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Advancing by passing

The drill is played with two teams whose goal is to get past the center line only by passing. Dribbling over the center line is prohibited. Teams should focus on quick and accurate passes as well as...
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football drill: Heading Game
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Heading Game

In this drill, players progress by heading the ball. The ball is thrown to oneself and headed to a teammate or into the goal. When the ball is on the ground, the quickest player can pick it up with...
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football drill: Football Tennis
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Football Tennis

Football tennis, where cones are used as a "net". Particularly suitable for playing in school halls, for example. The size of the field and number of players can vary. The game starts with a serve...
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football drill: 3v3 with four goals
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3v3 with four goals

3v3 game, where the aim is to spread the play. One team resting on the side. When the ball goes out of bounds or into a goal, the coach puts a contested ball into play. Play 2min matches and rotate...
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football drill: 5v3 build-up play
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5v3 build-up play

The drill starts from the yellow team's goalkeeper, who plays the ball to a defender. In the defensive area, there is a 3v1 situation where one player from the opposing team (black) presses the yellow...
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football drill: 5v5 in safe zone
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5v5 in safe zone

"Safe zones" are marked in the playing area, where the opponent is not allowed to enter. Players practice staying calm and controlling the game in their own defensive area, as well as opening the...
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football drill: 3v3 with goal areas
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3v3 with goal areas

Played with two teams (there can also be more players). Players aim to score by passing to a teammate in the goal area (areas marked with cones). After a goal is scored, the game continues...
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football drill: Scoring Zone Game
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Scoring Zone Game

The playing area has five scoring zones at both ends, which are worth different points. For example, the middle one is worth three points, the adjacent ones two points, and the outermost ones one...
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football drill: Point Area Game 2
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Point Area Game 2

3v3-5v5 game without goalkeepers with small goals. The field is divided into three areas, with the middle area being the largest. A goal scored from the middle area is worth one point, and the smaller...
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football drill: 2v2 with end players
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2v2 with end players

2v2 game to four goals with end players. End players are positioned between the goals at the attacking end. These players don't have to be used for scoring, but they provide one additional passing...
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football drill: 5v2 Possession
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5v2 Possession

In this exercise, four players are positioned outside the area boundaries and three inside the area, with one supporting the team in possession. The objective is to complete six consecutive passes to...
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football drill: 7v3 Keep-Away
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7v3 Keep-Away

6 players (overload team) position themselves outside the playing area. 3 players (underload team) position themselves inside the playing area. One player from the overload team starts in the middle....
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football drill: Crossing Play
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Crossing Play

In this drill, players are divided into two teams. An area is created in each corner of the field from which crosses are delivered. The players' objective is to pass the ball to their team's player in...
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football drill: 2v2 with three teams
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2v2 with three teams

Players are divided into three teams of two players each. One team per half of the field and one team at the center line. Goalkeepers are always on the side of their own half's defenders. Play starts...
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football drill: Hidden Striker
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Hidden Striker

Players are divided into two teams of five players each. Teams select a "hidden striker" from their group and reveal this only to the coach. The objective is to get this player to score a goal, which...
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football drill: Point Game
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Point Game

A finishing game where each player starts with three points. If player x scores a goal, their point total drops to two. The first team to have one player's points drop to zero wins. This drill can be...
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football drill: Midfield Conquest
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Midfield Conquest

Players are divided into two teams and the field into three areas. The middle area can be larger than the other areas. Play starts in the middle area, where players must complete an agreed number of...
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football drill: Passing Sequence Game
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Passing Sequence Game

Drill progression: Players are divided into two teams. Players receive their own number (e.g., 1–5). The objective is to maintain possession with your team and play passes in sequence : → 1 passes to...
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football drill: Hold the Lead
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Hold the Lead

An endgame where a team does not immediately receive a point for scoring a goal. A goal is only awarded if the team does not concede within the next 30 seconds . If the opponent scores within those 30...
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football drill: Pass Chain Game
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Pass Chain Game

Players play free play on a small or full-sized pitch . Every successful pass by your own team increases the value of the next goal by one. For example: 1 pass before a goal → 1 point 3 passes before...
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football drill: Three Team 8v4
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Three Team 8v4

Create three teams of four players who play a possession game in the area. In the diagram, the blue and yellow teams are on the same side. If, for example, a blue pass fails or the red team intercepts...
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football drill: Three-Team 4v2
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Three-Team 4v2

Create three teams of two players, who play a possession game in the area. In the diagram, the blue and yellow teams are on the same side. If, for example, a blue pass fails or the red team intercepts...
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football drill: Three Team 6v3
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Three Team 6v3

Create three teams of three players who play a possession game in the area. In the diagram, the blue and yellow teams are on the same side. If, for example, a blue team pass fails or the red team...
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