Skills, Passing & Conditioning Drills for Soccer Coaches

The drills you run at soccer practice will make or break your player's chance for improving their game. If you lack a supply of quality drills, take the time to study the game and find resources than can help you put together a winning practice plan. It will only make you a better coach.

Regardless of what level you coach, the first type of drills you should focus on acquiring are skills and dribbling drills, and the logic is simple. Individual ball skills are extremely important, and drills of this type offer players a significant number of touches on the ball. Work on dribbling, trapping, and volleys in enclosed space, and give your players a chance to refine their skills. On average, 25-30% of your practice schedule should be made up of such drills.

Passing drills are also extremely important. Next to individual ball skills, being able to pass the ball is the next absolutely necessary skill. Find drills that force your players to make short and long passes, both with and without pressure. On average, 25-30% of your practice schedule should be focused on passing.

Next, some conditioning drills are absolutely mandatory. Obtain a few drills that emphasis running and movement, and run them once every other week. Although all practice should emphasis conditioning, roughly 10% of your drills should be run specifically for their emphasis in this area of the game.

Finally, small sided drill and scrimmage drills should fill out the rest of your practice schedule. Place rules on play that force players to work on specific elements of their game, for example 2 or 3 touch, or 5 passes before a goal. Run the right drills, give your players the necessary coaching points, and your team will take their game to the next level.