73 Soccer Drills, Exercises and Tips for Better Coaching
Complete Soccer Coaching Guide: 73 Elite Drills, Exercises & Pro Tips
Introduction: Mastering the Art of Soccer Coaching
Great soccer coaches don’t just teach—they inspire, strategize, and develop players holistically. Complete Soccer Coaching Guide: 73 Soccer Drills, Exercises and Tips for Better Coaching is the ultimate manual for coaches at all levels, offering a meticulously curated collection of training exercises designed to sharpen technical skills, tactical intelligence, and physical conditioning.
Whether you’re coaching youth teams or competitive adults, this guide provides drill progressions, coaching cues, and session plans to elevate your team’s performance. Plus, we’ll integrate expert insights and link to valuable resources like Soccer Coaching Pro and top-tier external references to enhance your coaching toolkit.
Why These 73 Drills Are Game-Changers
Not all drills are created equal. The exercises in this guide stand out because they:
✅ Mirror Real Match Scenarios – No pointless running; every drill translates to game situations.
✅ Scale for All Levels – Adaptable for beginners to advanced players.
✅ Boost Engagement – Keep players motivated with dynamic, competitive formats.
For a deeper dive into drill selection science, visit The Psychology of Effective Drills.
The Drill Categories: A Comprehensive Breakdown
1. Technical Skill Builders (20 Drills)
Focus: First touch, passing, dribbling, and shooting.
- First-Touch Pressure Drill – Receive under defensive duress.
- Cross-and-Finish Combination – Wingers + strikers linking up.
- Dynamic Dribbling Maze – Tight-space ball mastery.
Pro Tip: Use constrained drills (e.g., limiting touches) to force quicker decisions.
For technical drill videos, see Elite Ball Control Drills.
2. Tactical Awareness Drills (18 Drills)
Focus: Positioning, pressing, and transitions.
- 7v7 Positional Rondo – Teach spatial awareness.
- Counter-Press Recovery – Immediate reaction to turnovers.
- Overload-to-Underload Switches – Train numerical advantage play.
Coaching Cue: “Scan before you receive!” to improve player awareness.
Explore more tactical tools at Soccer Tactics Database.
3. Small-Sided Games (SSGs) (15 Drills)
Why SSGs? They replicate match intensity while maximizing touches.
- 4-Goal Possession Game – Encourages switching play.
- Transition Derby – Quick attacks after regaining possession.
- Conditioned Endurance Scrimmage – Fitness + skill integration.
Download SSG templates: Small-Sided Game Plans.
4. Physical Conditioning Drills (12 Drills)
Soccer-Specific Fitness: Speed, agility, and endurance.
- Plyometric Box Jump + Sprint – Explosiveness for forwards.
- Defensive Shuffle & Recovery Runs – Backline endurance.
- Interval Dribble Circuits – Combine fitness with ball work.
For sport-specific conditioning, visit Soccer Fitness Drills.
5. Set-Piece Specialists (8 Drills)
Dead-Ball Wins Games: Corners, free kicks, and penalties.
- Near-Post Corner Variations – Training deceptive runs.
- Free-Kick “Wall” Manipulation – Curving around defenders.
- Penalty Pressure Simulation – Mental toughness training.
Grab set-piece playbooks: Set-Piece Strategies.
Coaching Tips from the Pros
1️⃣ Differentiate Instruction: Adapt drills for varying skill levels in the same session.
2️⃣ Use Guided Discovery: Ask questions (“What if we tried…?”) to foster problem-solving.
3️⃣ Film Review: Record drills to show players their execution vs. expectations.
For more pro tips, check Advanced Coaching Methods.
Common Coaching Mistakes & Fixes
❌ Mistake: Running drills too long (players lose focus).
✅ Fix: Keep drills to 8-12 minutes; switch to fresh activities.
❌ Mistake: Only coaching technique (neglecting decision-making).
✅ Fix: Add “cognitive stressors” (e.g., defenders, time limits).
❌ Mistake: Ignoring individual feedback.
✅ Fix: Use the “Praise-Correct-Praise” sandwich method.
For more solutions: Coaching Mistakes Fixed.
Seasonal Drill Periodization
- Preseason: Focus on fitness + foundational skills (40% technical, 30% tactical, 30% physical).
- In-Season: Maintain sharpness (50% tactical, 30% technical, 20% physical).
- Offseason: Correct weaknesses (e.g., weak-foot passing).
Get periodized plans: Year-Round Coaching Calendar.
Technology & Modern Coaching Tools
- Video Analysis Apps (Hudl, Veo) – Break down drill execution.
- Wearable GPS Trackers – Monitor workload and intensity.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Training – Simulate match scenarios.
For tech recommendations: Soccer Coaching Tech.
Conclusion: Your Blueprint for Coaching Excellence
This guide’s 73 drills are your roadmap to developing smarter, fitter, and more technical players. By blending these exercises with the included pro tips, you’ll:
🔹 Build Confidence – Players thrive in structured, challenging environments.
🔹 Win More Games – Tactical preparation wins tight matches.
🔹 Create a Legacy – Great coaches develop great people, not just players.
Continue Your Journey:
Final Thought: Coaching is about progress, not perfection. Start with 2-3 new drills per week, refine based on your team’s needs, and watch the transformation unfold.
For daily coaching inspiration, follow The Soccer Coach’s Playbook and join a community of 50,000+ coaches worldwide!