Football drills for youth coaches

440 drills with descriptions, coaching points and video, sorted by phase of play. Free to browse. With PåPlan you add them to your own session.

Build-up play

• 11v11 game (build-up play) · 15 min
• 1v1 against 3 goals · 15 min
• 1v1 against a goal · 15 min
• 2v1 to 2v2 – combination play in four phases · 10 min
• 2v1: escape the pressure · 10 min
• 2v2 ladder with a passing rule · 14 min
• 2v2 ladder with random pairs · 15 min
• 2v2 ladder: winners move up · 14 min
• 3-zone possession drill · 15 min
• 3v3 game · 20 min
• 3v3 on mini goals · 12 min
• 3v3 rotation – quick passing · 12 min
• 3v3 team ladder: winning teams move up · 15 min
• 3v3 with four gates: scan and react · 12 min
• 3v3 with goalkeeper and target player · 15 min
• 3v3 with goalkeepers who may not be pressed · 15 min
• 4v2 rondo into a 2v1 finish · 15 min
• 4v2: playing past the first line of press · 15 min
• 4v4 with goalkeepers and jokers · 20 min
• 5v2 switch-play rondo · 12 min
• 5v5 game: carrying, turning – pressing · 20 min
• 5v5 game: passing, receiving – marking · 20 min
• 5v5 game: shooting – diving and catching · 20 min
• 5v5 game: taking on, feinting and dribbling – tackling · 20 min
• 6v3 – up, back, through · 15 min
• 6v5: play over the line · 15 min
• 7v7 game (build-up play) · 20 min
• 8v6 – build-up in a position game · 20 min
• 9v9 game (build-up play) · 20 min
• 9v9 game (KTAGM) · 20 min
• Belgian give-and-go passing drill · 10 min
• Boules · 15 min
• Build-up 3v2 in two zones · 15 min
• Build-up from our own half (build-up play) · 15 min
• Build-up under pressure: (4+1) v 3 · 20 min
• Competitive double rondo · 12 min
• Creating space · 12 min
• Creating space to receive the ball · 12 min
• Decoy movements to open passing lanes · 8 min
• End zone possession – keep the ball and play through · 15 min
• Ex 1 – preparation – build-up play · 10 min
• Ex 2 – game exercise 1 – build-up play · 10 min
• Ex 3 – game exercise 2 – build-up play · 10 min
• Ex 4 – game exercise 3 – build-up play · 10 min
• Five drills for off-the-ball movement · 15 min
• Four corners with defenders · 15 min
• Foxes and farmers · 15 min
• Game – carry the ball over the line · 15 min
• Game against many goals · 15 min
• Game against two goals · 15 min
• Game exercise in corridors · 15 min
• Give-and-go: play outside, move diagonally inside · 12 min
• Goalkeeper training 11v11, depth backwards · 15 min
• Goalkeeper: warm-up – passing and distribution · 10 min
• Hexagon rondo 6v3 · 12 min
• Keep the ball · 15 min
• Keeping the ball within the team · 15 min
• Learn how to switch play · 12 min
• Number ball with goalkeepers · 15 min
• Number game · 15 min
• Off-ball movement · 12 min
• Overlap passing to eliminate a defender · 10 min
• Pass, turn, receive and move · 12 min
• Passing and scanning pattern · 10 min
• Passing drill: switching play · 10 min
• Passing drill: third-man run · 10 min
• Playing in angles – moving the ball forwards and sideways · 15 min
• Playing through the lines (build-up play) · 15 min
• Quick combinations and switching sides with diagonal passes · 15 min
• Rondo: swap the defenders · 12 min
• Scanning and decision making · 10 min
• Scanning drill: look around before you receive · 10 min
• Shoot, roll and throw into the goal · 15 min
• Shoot, throw and roll to each other · 15 min
• Shrimps and crabs · 15 min
• Shuttle play · 15 min
• Shuttle play · 15 min
• Shuttle play · 15 min
• Shuttle play with a numerical advantage · 15 min
• Small-sided game – timing forward passes · 15 min
• Switching game: a player on each side · 15 min
• Switching play in a 20×20 square · 12 min
• Switching the point of attack: a drill series · 15 min
• Switching the point of attack: warm-up for ages 10–12 · 10 min
• Target ball · 15 min
• The staircase · 15 min
• The tail game · 15 min
• Third-man runs – three simple drills · 12 min
• Three-goal 3v3 game · 12 min
• Three-zone rondo · 12 min
• Two-team 4v2 possession · 12 min
• Using width: 7v7 plus 3 · 15 min
• Who’s afraid of… (5v5) · 15 min
• Who’s afraid of…? · 15 min

Counter-attack

• 11v11 game (counter-attack) · 20 min
• 1v0 to 2v2 – quick transition · 10 min
• 2v1 to 3v3: transition series · 15 min
• 4v3 with a new ball straight after a goal · 12 min
• 7v7 game (counter-attack) · 20 min
• 9v9 game (counter-attack) · 20 min
• Counter-attack from the central third · 15 min
• Counter-attack game exercise · 15 min
• Counter-attack with stepping up · 15 min
• Finishing, counter-press and 3v2 · 15 min
• Gaining ground after winning the ball · 15 min
• Game in the central third with counter-attack · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 11v11, restarting play · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 9v9, restarting play · 15 min
• Possession game with availability and depth (counter-attack) · 15 min

Defending against shots

• 11v11 game (preventing and saving shots) · 20 min
• 1v1: defending from behind · 15 min
• 7v7 game (FORA) · 20 min
• 9v9 game (FORA) · 20 min
• Defending in the penalty area · 15 min
• Direct, delay, deny: 1v1 defending · 10 min
• Ex 1 – preparation – crosses · 10 min
• Ex 1 – preparation – shots · 10 min
• Ex 1 – preparation – shots · 10 min
• Ex 1 – preparation – through balls and one-on-ones · 10 min
• Ex 2 – skill exercise 1 – blocking shots in one-on-ones · 10 min
• Ex 2 – skill exercise 1 – catching the ball · 10 min
• Ex 2 – skill exercise 1 – crosses · 10 min
• Ex 2 – skill exercise 1 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 2 – skill exercise 1 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 3 – game exercise 1 – crosses · 10 min
• Ex 3 – skill exercise 2 – blocking shots · 10 min
• Ex 3 – skill exercise 2 – diving and catching the ball · 10 min
• Ex 3 – skill exercise 2 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 3 – skill exercise 2 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 4 – game exercise 1 – through balls and one-on-ones · 10 min
• Ex 4 – game exercise 2 – crosses · 10 min
• Ex 4 – skill exercise 3 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 4 – skill exercise 3 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 4 – skill exercise 3 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 5 – game exercise 1 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 5 – game exercise 1 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 5 – game exercise 1 – shots (9v9) · 10 min
• Ex 5 – game exercise 2 – through balls and one-on-ones · 10 min
• Ex 6 – game exercise 2 – shots · 10 min
• Ex 6 – game exercise 2 – shots · 10 min
• Game exercise – defending the penalty area · 15 min
• Getting goal-side after being beaten (FORA) · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 11v11, crosses · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 11v11, shots · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 7v7, catching the ball · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 7v7, catching the ball (2) · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 7v7, catching the ball after moving · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 7v7, catching the ball after moving (2) · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 7v7, cutting out through balls · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 9v9, saving shots after moving · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 9v9, through balls and one-on-ones · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training, 9v9 crosses · 15 min
• Goalkeeper: one-on-one situation, 50/50 block · 15 min
• Protecting the space behind · 15 min
• Shuttle play – defending the penalty area · 15 min
• Three-zone game – getting goal-side (FORA) · 15 min

Finishing & Scoring

• 11v11 game (getting to a shot and scoring) · 20 min
• 1v1 – attacking and defending against diagonal and linear goals · 12 min
• 1v1 and 2v1 – finishing exercise · 10 min
• 1v1 and finish · 8 min
• 1v1 game: attack against defence · 10 min
• 1v1 on goal: the ladder with small goals · 12 min
• 1v1, 3v2 and the four-second press · 20 min
• 1v1: speed, agility and finish · 10 min
• 2v1 wing play · 15 min
• 2v1 with rotation and points · 10 min
• 3v2 with a new wave of attackers · 12 min
• 7v7 game (KTAGM) · 20 min
• Attacking against a back line (KTAGM) · 15 min
• Crossing game · 15 min
• Duel for three goals · 15 min
• Final-third attacking – striker movement · 15 min
• Finishing and 1v1 · 10 min
• Finishing challenge in threes · 15 min
• Finishing drill with a third-man run – two variations · 12 min
• Finishing exercise with first touch and change of direction · 15 min
• Finishing: the reverse finish · 10 min
• Four pro patterns in the final third · 15 min
• Game on two goals with a new ball after a shot · 12 min
• Isolated shots · 15 min
• Joining the attack (KTAGM) · 15 min
• Long-range shots with a numerical advantage · 15 min
• Playing in behind – getting to a shot and scoring · 20 min
• Quick shooting and 2v2 · 15 min
• Running with the ball and finishing 4v2 – a progressive drill · 12 min
• Shooting drill for midfielders · 12 min
• Shooting from zone 14 with third-man play · 15 min
• Shot + transition: “touch the post” · 20 min
• Shuttle play with runs into the penalty area · 15 min
• Shuttle play with through passes · 15 min
• Three-phase shooting drill · 12 min
• Three-player shooting pattern · 12 min
• Three-zone game – joining the attack (KTAGM) · 15 min
• Wall-pass with a finish in a zone · 10 min
• Wall-pass with a finish in a zone – advanced · 12 min

Football fitness

• Activation exercises and warm-up · 10 min
• Ball relay over – under · 15 min
• Ball relay throw – catch · 15 min
• Conditioning exercise with a ball · 15 min
• Core: new plank variations · 8 min
• Dynamic warm-up before training · 10 min
• Dynamic warm-up with SAQ drills · 10 min
• Ex 1 – preparation – preventing and saving shots · 10 min
• Fetch the balls · 15 min
• FIFA 11+ Kids warm-up · 10 min
• Football conditioning circuits · 16 min
• Goalkeeper: warm-up – mobility and agility · 10 min
• High-intensity shuttle runs with a ball · 10 min
• Injury prevention: single-leg balance with a ball · 8 min
• Jumps: seated to vertical and forward · 5 min
• Jumps: seated to vertical and lateral · 5 min
• Knee control: hip lift · 5 min
• Knee control: jumping and landing · 5 min
• Knee control: lunge · 5 min
• Knee control: plank · 5 min
• Knee control: single-leg squat · 5 min
• Knee control: two-leg squat · 5 min
• Pre-season strength training for a team · 20 min
• SAQ warm-up with small goals · 10 min
• Single-leg jumps: lateral to vertical · 5 min
• Speed, agility and quick feet (SAQ) · 10 min
• Strength training for young footballers: eight essential exercises · 20 min
• Technical warm-up with SAQ drills · 10 min
• Zigzag relay · 15 min

Game exercise

• Match – free play · 25 min
• The square / Rondo SvFF · 15 min

Goalkeeping

• Goalkeeper technique: catching the ball · 10 min

Organized defending

• 1v1 to 2v2 and 3v2: defending when outnumbered · 20 min
• 1v1 to 3v3 – a progressive drill · 12 min
• Arsenal group defending drill · 15 min
• Cover and recover · 15 min
• Defend better: three drills · 12 min
• Defending 1v2 and 2v3 · 15 min
• Defending in small numbers · 15 min
• Defensive cover and balance in 3v3 · 12 min
• Defensive drills for youth teams · 12 min
• Defensive shape: close the passing lanes · 15 min
• Defensive shifting in 11v11 · 12 min
• Playing offside – stepping the back line up · 15 min
• Press, cover and balance · 15 min
• Ten defending drills for kids · 12 min

Pressing & Regaining possession

• 11v11 game (preventing build-up) · 20 min
• 11v11 game (regaining possession) · 20 min
• 1v1 first touch under pressure · 15 min
• 2v2: pressure and cover · 15 min
• 7v7 game (preventing build-up) · 20 min
• 7v7 game (regaining possession) · 20 min
• 9v9 game (preventing build-up) · 20 min
• 9v9 game (regaining possession) · 20 min
• A fast, pressing defending session for youth players · 20 min
• Attack against defence – different defensive heights · 15 min
• Corridor game – shifting across / centralising · 15 min
• Defending and pressing (U11–U13) · 10 min
• Defending in units · 15 min
• Game goalkeeper to goalkeeper · 15 min
• Game in the central third (regaining possession) · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 11v11, through balls and one-on-ones · 15 min
• Goalkeeper training 11v11, through balls and one-on-ones (2) · 15 min
• Press for success – pressing as a unit · 15 min
• Press on a trigger: 4v4 · 15 min
• Pressing high when outnumbered (6v5) · 15 min
• Pressing in the defensive third and counter-attack · 20 min
• Regaining possession and protecting the space behind · 15 min
• Regaining possession in different thirds · 15 min
• Regaining possession with a numerical advantage · 15 min
• Regaining possession with cover behind · 15 min
• Shifting across in corridors · 15 min
• The 3-team principle 1.0 (regaining possession) · 15 min
• Three-zone game (focus: preventing build-up, FSU) · 15 min

Technique & Skills

• 1v1 – heading competition · 10 min
• 1v1 duel for the youngest · 10 min
• 1v1 ladder: winners move up · 12 min
• 1v1 to the line: the ladder for the youngest · 10 min
• 1v1: on an angle or straight at the defender · 12 min
• 1v2 through four gates · 10 min
• 5 heading drills · 15 min
• Agility with and without the ball: turning on an angle · 10 min
• Ball control drills for young players · 8 min
• Ball mastery – complete technique session (U12–U15) · 25 min
• Ball mastery and coordination – ten exercises · 15 min
• Ball mastery for midfielders: first touch between mannequins · 10 min
• Ball mastery in a circle · 8 min
• Ball mastery in pairs for the youngest · 10 min
• Beat the defender by dribbling or a wall pass · 12 min
• Breaking lines – a passing box drill · 12 min
• Breaking lines with body feints – four variations · 10 min
• Catching game and 1v1: switching · 12 min
• Collect the cones · 8 min
• Coordination drill with the ball · 10 min
• Diamond Heist: catching game · 10 min
• Dip ball 5v5 · 15 min
• Don’t get hit by the ball · 15 min
• Double square passing – third man · 12 min
• Double triangle passing with three balls · 10 min
• Double Y-pattern – passing drill · 10 min
• Dribbling and turning – four exercises · 10 min
• Dribbling race (2 teams) – 4 variations · 10 min
• Dribbling reaction · 10 min
• Dribbling, passing and receiving – three variations · 10 min
• Dribbling, turns and ball control · 10 min
• Dynamic passing and breaking lines with mini goals · 10 min
• Dynamic passing drill – three variations · 10 min
• Dynamic passing warm-up · 10 min
• Dynamic passing warm-up – short and long passes · 12 min
• Dynamic warm-up and passing activation · 10 min
• Dynamic warm-up with the ball – five variations · 10 min
• Dynamic warm-up with the ball – three variations · 10 min
• Dynamic warm-up with the ball – two variations · 10 min
• Eight exercises for controlling balls out of the air · 15 min
• Ex 7 – skill exercise 4 – ball relay · 10 min
• Feints, receiving and combinations · 12 min
• First touch and dribbling – three variations · 10 min
• First touch and turn · 10 min
• First touch and turn – technical drill · 10 min
• First touch with small goals · 10 min
• First touch, finishing on a small goal and 1v1 · 10 min
• Five turns to improve ball control · 8 min
• Four passes with small goals · 10 min
• Full session: passing and receiving in two parts · 20 min
• Fun heading games · 8 min
• Fun heading games for young players · 10 min
• Goalkeeper: basic diving technique · 15 min
• Heading drills for younger players · 10 min
• Heading drills for youth players · 10 min
• Heading masterclass – defensive and attacking headers · 15 min
• Heading: technique and timing · 12 min
• Inside turn ("soft turn") · 10 min
• King of the Court: 1v1 · 12 min
• Lone Wolf: dribbling against several opponents · 10 min
• Master the half-turn · 12 min
• Maximum load in 1v1 · 10 min
• Overlapping and underlapping runs · 10 min
• Partner passing drill – accuracy and quality · 10 min
• Pass and move – passing combination · 8 min
• Pass and move – triangle · 10 min
• Pass and move – with a closing shot · 10 min
• Pass, return pass and receive forward · 10 min
• Passing activation – three variations · 10 min
• Passing activation – warm-up in three steps · 10 min
• Passing activation drill – two variations · 10 min
• Passing activation with a focus on the first touch · 10 min
• Passing and receiving between cones · 10 min
• Passing and receiving with two balls · 10 min
• Passing circuit – two variations · 10 min
• Passing circuit with overlaps and underlaps · 10 min
• Passing combinations – four variations · 10 min
• Passing combinations – inspired by Dortmund’s U11 training · 10 min
• Passing combinations – inspired by PSV Eindhoven · 10 min
• Passing combinations – inspired by the France national team · 12 min
• Passing combinations finishing on a small goal · 12 min
• Passing combinations finishing with small goals · 10 min
• Passing combinations in three steps · 10 min
• Passing drill combinations – three variations · 10 min
• Passing drill for 5–6 players · 10 min
• Passing drill with an overlap · 10 min
• Passing drill with overlaps – four variations · 10 min
• Passing drill with small goals · 10 min
• Passing drill with small goals in four steps · 10 min
• Passing exercises in pairs · 10 min
• Passing through gates · 10 min
• Passing warm-up – three variations · 10 min
• Passing warm-up 1: pass and follow · 10 min
• Passing warm-up 2: one-two · 10 min
• Passing warm-up 3: one touch · 10 min
• Passing warm-up in three steps · 10 min
• Passing warm-up with small goals · 10 min
• Passing with an overlap and a third-man run · 10 min
• Passing with an overlapping run · 10 min
• Passing with two balls – three variations · 10 min
• Passing with two balls – two variations · 10 min
• Preparing for 1v1: basic body feints · 12 min
• Proper heading technique with Abby Wambach · 8 min
• Reaction and 1v1 towards two goals · 10 min
• Receiving and turning – technical drill · 10 min
• Receiving and turning for younger players · 8 min
• Receiving and turning with small goals · 10 min
• Receiving under pressure – improve first touch · 12 min
• Receiving with a turn and 1v1 · 10 min
• Receiving, overlapping runs and wall passing – three variations · 10 min
• Relay – running and carrying the ball · 15 min
• Seven drills to improve your first touch · 10 min
• Short passing activation – two variations · 10 min
• Simple passing drill – three variations · 10 min
• Simple passing drill with mini goals · 10 min
• Simple passing warm-up · 10 min
• Simple technical warm-up · 10 min
• Speed, agility and 1v1 · 15 min
• Star passing drill – two variations · 10 min
• Tactical passing drill with small goals · 10 min
• Tail tag with a ball (warm-up) · 8 min
• Target pass with scanning · 10 min
• Technical activation – dribbling and ball exchange · 10 min
• Technical activation drills, part 1 · 15 min
• Technical activation drills, part 3 · 10 min
• Technical activation drills, part 4 · 12 min
• Technical and SAQ drills with small goals – dynamic warm-up · 10 min
• Technical circle – ball activation in eight steps · 15 min
• Technical drill – control, heading and juggling · 10 min
• Technical drill in five steps · 10 min
• Technical drill in six steps · 10 min
• Technical drill with mini goals · 10 min
• Technical gate passing with small goals · 10 min
• Technical passing drill – two simple variations · 10 min
• Technical passing drill in four steps · 10 min
• Technical passing exercise towards a small goal · 10 min
• Technical passing warm-up with small goals · 10 min
• Technical training drill – ball mastery and change of direction · 10 min
• Technical training drill in six steps · 10 min
• Technical training for kids – seven exercises · 10 min
• Technical training in six steps · 10 min
• Technical warm-up – dribbling and touch · 10 min
• Technical warm-up – dribbling, passing and wall passes · 10 min
• Technical warm-up – four exercises · 10 min
• Technical warm-up – four variations · 10 min
• Technical warm-up – passing progression · 10 min
• Technical warm-up – receiving and turning · 10 min
• Technical warm-up drill · 10 min
• Technical warm-up in three steps · 10 min
• Technical warm-up with a closing 1v1 · 10 min
• The figure-eight: dribbling around cones with turns · 10 min
• Third-man combination drill – two variations · 10 min
• Third-man run – passing and finishing · 10 min
• Third-man run with small goals · 10 min
• Three cones, three exercises – ball control · 10 min
• Three ways to practise carrying the ball · 10 min
• Traffic jam – ball control and awareness · 8 min
• Triangle drill – technical activation, part 2 · 10 min
• Triangle passing – movement and third-man runs · 12 min
• Turn after a return pass (the Modrić turn) · 10 min
• Turns and finishing with a small goal · 10 min
• Wall-pass in a square · 10 min
• Warm-up and passing activation – five exercises · 10 min
• Warm-up with dribbling · 10 min
• Warm-up with dribbling and ball control · 12 min
• Warm-up: diamond passing · 10 min
• Warm-up: overlapping run · 10 min
• Warm-up: passing and dribbling · 10 min
• Y-pattern – passing exercise · 10 min
• Zig-zag dribbling and orientation · 10 min
• Zig-zag passing – four variations · 10 min

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