Pre-K & K

The Basics

For small kids just starting out, keep it basic. You can spend a lot of time just working on dribbling, being comfortable with a ball at their feet, just keeping them on the field, and learning to not use their hands. Starting to teach foot technique is essential at this age. Using the correct part of the foot and trying both feet for dribbling and passing will make a huge difference as the kids get older. Keep all drills and activities simple and FUN. Go into each practice with a plan, know what drills you plan to do and in what order. For little ones if they have to wait around for a coach to set-up or figure out what they are doing next, they'll lose focus and you'll have to wrangle them back in.

Keep these tips in mind,

NO TOE: At the earliest ages it's important to repeatedly tell players to NOT use their toe. Teach passing and dribbling using the inside (instep) of the foot. It will feel unnatural at first, they will use their toe anyway, but keep at it.
NO Hands: It will happen repeatedly, just do your best to teach kids to not use their hands.
Two Feet: Encourage players to use both feet when dribbling/passing. The earlier they start the better.
Foot on the ball: The most important element of any practice session is the amount of touches a player has with the ball. Avoid drills where players wait in line for more than 30 seconds. The more times a player touches the ball in practice the better.
Games: At this age group we use small pop-up goals and typically play 5v5, but games can range from 4v4 to 6v6 if necessary.
See the list of sample drills provided below to help you get started. You can also find great resources to help build your coaches toolbox on our Apps & Resources page.

Sharks & Minnows

Needs: 4 cones, 1 or 2 color pinnies, soccer balls for every player.

Set-up: Create a box using 4 cones at least 10x15 yds (larger for larger groups). Give 1-2 players a pinnie and no soccer ball (Sharks). All other players need 1 ball (Minnows).

Activity: The minnows must dribble the ball inside the box while the sharks attempt to steal their ball and kick it out of the box. The round ends when all minnows have been knocked out. Select new sharks and repeat.

Goals: ball control, winning the ball, shielding the ball.

Keywords: "Keep the ball close", keep your body between the ball and the shark", "try looking up while you dribble".

Red Light Green Light

Needs: 4 cones, 1 ball for every player.

Set-up: Create a box using 4 cones at least 20 x 20 yds.

Activity: Players will start on one side of the box and dribble the ball around the box when the coach says "Green Light" and must stop when the coach says "Red Light".

Goals: Ball control, keeping the ball close, listening to coaches instructions.

Keywords: "keep the ball close", "be sure to listen", "try looking up while you dribble".

Passing or Dribbling Relay

Need: 8 cones, 2 soccer balls.

Set-up: Place 4 pairs of cones about 10ft apart. Split players into 2 teams (teams do not have to be even). Keep teams to less than 6 players to allow for more touches on the ball.

Activity: Place players on a team facing each other in lines between the pairs of cones. The player at the front of the line will pass or dribble to their teammate on the other side and goes to the back of that line. That player will dribble or pass to the next player in line. Run the relay until the first player who started with the ball returns to their starting position. Do several rounds, alternate players if necessary to balance teams, uneven teams have a player go twice.

Goals: Develop passing technique or dribbling skills.

Keywords: Dribbling-"keep the ball close", "look up while you dribble". Passing- "pass using the inside of your foot" "point your non kicking foot at your teammate", "look up to pass", "follow your pass and run quickly to the back of the line".

Freeze Tag (like Sharks & minnows)

Need: 4 cones, soccer ball for every player.

Set-up: Create a box using 4 cones at least 10x15 yds (larger for larger groups). Give 1-2 players a pinnie and no soccer ball (Freezers).

Activity: Players inside the box will dribble around the box trying to avoid the Freezers. Freezers will try to steal players balls (do not have to kick out of the box)). If successfull that player is frozen until a non-frozen teammate dribbles to them tagging them to release them from their frozen state. They may begin dribbling again. Freezers try to freeze everyone. Play until all players are frozen or for a few minutes then switch freezers.

Goals: ball control, winning the ball, shielding the ball, communication.

Keywords:"Keep the ball close", keep your body between the ball and the freezer", "try looking up while you dribble", "when frozen call a teammate for help"

Musical Soccer Balls

Needs: Cones or lines to create two circles. Enough soccer balls for each player.

Set-up: Create two circles with cones or using field lines, one small circle inside a bigger circle. Place soccer balls inside the small circle so there is 1 less ball than players. With large groups set up two musical soccer ball activities.

Activity: Each player will run around the large circle while the coach plays music or until the coach says go or blows a whistle (kids can sing until coach does this). When the music stops (or on go/whistle) players will rush to the inner circle and try to dribble (not kick) a ball outside the big circle. 1 player will be left without a ball. Reset and repeat.

Goals: Develop dribbling skills, stealing the ball, shielding the ball, listening to instructions.

Keywords: Dribble quickly, keep the ball close, listen carefully.

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