Fast Feet Drills
The following exercises will develop quick footwork patterns, speed, agility and reactions.

1. The players must run along putting one foot into each space between the cones
2. The players must sprint through the cones putting two feet into each space between the cones
3. The player must make three forward steps in the spaces between cones and then one backwards step
4. The players make quick side step movements in and out of the spaces in a zig zag motion. The players must start to the right of the cones. The players make three quick steps and it is often beneficial to count the steps as you go “1, 2, 3” – “1, 2, 3”. Once comfortable going forward, try to do the same practice going backwards.
5. The players must stand side on to the ladder putting two foot into each space in a forward and backwards motion. Next time the players should face the opposite direction so that they get used to working to the right and left.
6. The players must make two footed jumps through the cones.
7. The players must make one footed hops.
8. The players must jump diagonally across the cones to the end.
9. The players must make a two footed jump inside the first space and then jump to the 2nd space and place their legs on the outside. The player’s legs will therefore be together for the first landing and then open for the second landing.
10.The players must start side on to the cones and then jog/side step along the line of cones placing their feet in each space. The players should be using a high knee lift on each stride. The players should face the opposite direction on their next turn so that they get used to leading with both feet.

Training Tips
• Start slowly and as you build confidence in the exercise then go faster. It’s more
important to have the correct technique than to sprint through the cones. Its not a race listen to your feet. They should be making the correct   sound and steps. Work to a rhythm.
• If you are struggling to grasp the rhythm then include some word cues such as [in and out, in and out] or [1,2,3 – 1,2,3]
• Use your arms. Most players are completely unaware of what their arms are doing when they are concentrating on their feet. Ensure that the       players are using their arms in a running motion as this will add balance and strength.

Movement and Reactions
Simple practices to improve the players movement and reactions

Practice 1
The cones should be placed as shown in the diagram. The parent must call out a colourand then the player must quickly move their feet towards the colour and then back to the middle. At all times the player must face forwards. The player should work for no longer than 15 seconds before resting.
Practice 2
The player should be jogging on the spot behind their football. On the parents call of “right” or “left”, the player must quickly circle the ball with their feet without touching the ball. A progression is to have the player complete a “header” jump over the ball and then complete the right/left movement on landing.
Practice 3
The player must move across the line whilst the parent mirrors the movements made. The aim is to constantly change direction and then sprint past a cone before your opponent.
This practice can also be done with a football.
Practice 4
This practice requires two footballs. The player has a ball at their feet and the parent holds a ball in their hands. To start, the player passes their ball to the parent. The parent then throws the ball they are holding.

Ball Manipulation
10 simple ball manipulation exercises. Players should complete each one for 30-60 seconds continuously.

1. Move around the area using just your weak foot, regularly changing direction and speed of movement.
2. Move around the area using the inside then outside of your foot.
3. Move around the area using only the sole “bottom” of your foot to drag the ball.
4. Now combine the two by going inside of foot, outside of foot and then sole to drag the ball. Use the same foot for all three moves.
5. Inside touch, outside touch, sole drag and then a step-over with the same foot.
6. Inside touch with best foot, inside touch with weak foot and then a sole drag with best foot across your body. This should work           continuously.
7. Two touches with the lace area of your foot and then step over the ball with the same foot to the outside of ball.
8. Two touches with the lace area of your foot and then step across the ball with the same foot to the inside of the ball.
9. Two sole drags with your best foot and then complete a step over with the same foot to the outside of the ball. Now complete with the opposite foot.
10. Sole drag with your best foot, then a step over with the same foot to the outside of the ball, now quickly push the ball away and into space with the opposite foot.

Ball Juggling
15 simple ball juggling exercises.

1. Bounce the ball, kick the ball with the laces of your best foot and then catch the ball again.
2. Now can you bounce the ball and complete two kick ups.
3. Continue until you have completed one bounce and then 3, 4, 5 kick ups.
4. Bounce the ball and complete one kick with your best foot and then one kick with your weak foot.
5. Again build up this exercise to include 2, 3, 4, 5 kicks whilst alternating feet.
6. Throw the ball into the air and then knee the ball with your best foot and then catch the ball again.
7. Now try to get 2,3,4,5 continuous knee touches before catching the ball.
8. Throw the ball into the air and complete alternate knee touches.
9. Now try to get 2,3,4,5 continuous alternate knee touches.
10. Bounce the ball and then kick with your best foot and then best knee before catching the ball.
11. Bounce the ball and then kick the ball with your best foot, then weak foot, then best knee before catching the ball.
12. Bounce the ball and then kick the ball with your best foot, then weak foot, then best knee and finally weak knee before catching the ball.
13. Now juggle the ball with just your best side using both foot and knee.
14. Juggle the ball with just your weak side using both foot and knee.
15. Juggle the ball with alternate sides using both your right and left feet and knees. Try to keep your best score.

Dribbling Cones
Simple exercises to improve dribbling and close control using five cones

1. The players must dribble in and out of the cones using only their best foot.
2. The players must dribble in and out of the cones using only their weak foot.
3. Now the players must use the inside of both feet.
4. Now the players must only use the outside of both feet. when completing this exercise its very important that the players move their body and     feet after each touch.
5. The players now work with three touches to each foot. To start the player must use the outside of their foot to push the ball between the cones. The 2nd touch is with the inside of the foot to take the ball forward and finally the 3rd touch is to stop the ball with the bottom of your foot. Now repeat with other foot (“outside, inside, stop”).
6. The players now use the inside of their foot to move the ball forward and then the bottom of their foot to drag the ball across the space between the cones. This practice forces the players to alternate best foot and weak foot.

Simple exercises to improve dribbling and close control using two cones
• Make a figure of 8 around the cones using your best foot.
• Make a figure of 8 around the cones using your weak foot.
• Make a figure of 8 around the cones using just the inside of your feet.
• Make a figure of 8 around the cones using just the outside of your feet.
Training tips
• When laying out the cones, make the space between each cone reasonably large (three steps for 5 cone exercises and 10 steps for two cones exercises). As the players become comfortable with each exercise then the space can be reduced to increase workload and difficulty
• The players should not rush the exercises. Its important to work slowly at first and become comfortable with the technique required before speeding up.
• The players should be encouraged to take small touches on the ball before moving their feet .

Dribbling Exercises
Simple exercises to improve the ability to dribble with the ball and go past Defenders

Practice 1
The player must dribble with the ball and try as many skills as possible for 10 seconds whilst the 2nd player jockeys backwards. After 10 seconds the roles should be reversed so that the player gets experience of attacking and then defending. This is important as when defending you can see what skills and movements make it hard for defenders.
Practice 2
The player must dribble towards the cones from various distances and angles.
The aim for the player is to get through the area using quick feet to avoid hitting the cones.
Practice 3
The player must dribble towards the cones and use various skills (step over's, dummies etc) to get past the cones (defender) and to the opposite side.
Practice 4
The player must go through the zig zag course using both feet to change direction quickly. Once confident the players can complete turns, step over's and various other skills on each cone.

Running with the Ball
Simple exercises to improve the technique of running with the ball.

Practice 1
Place four cones as shown in the diagram. The aim for the players is to have one touch between each cone and to try and get to top speed as quickly as possible.
Practice 2
Place five cones as shown in the diagram. The player must make two small touches and then accelerate away by taking two big touches into space.
Practice 3
Place the five cones as shown in the diagram. The player must make two small diagonal touches and then accelerate away by taking two big touches into the space.
Practice 4
Place the five cones as shown in the diagram. The player must make two small diagonal touches and then accelerate away by taking one big touch straight and a 2nd big touch diagonally and into the space.
Training tips
The player must use a change of pace when moving from small to bigger touches. In addition the player should be using their arms to improve the speed and direct style of their run.

Turning away from the defender
Simple turning skills that will improve the players ability to turn away from

defenders and then dribble into space.
1. The player should dribble towards the gate. On approaching the gate the player should stop the ball with the sole of their foot and then drag     the ball backwards. The player should now open their body and then dribble in the opposite direction. This enables the player to complete the “drag back” turn.
2. On approaching the gate the player should pretend to shoot but instead of making contact with the ball, the player should turn their foot and     play the ball in the opposite direction with the outside of the foot. This enables the player to complete the “outside hook” turn.
3. On approaching the gate the player should turn their body and play the ball in the opposite direction with the inside of their foot. The player should now accelerate away with the ball. This enables the player to complete the “inside hook” turn.
4. On approaching the gate the player should place their non kicking foot next to the ball. Now the player should pretend to shoot with their best foot but rather than kicking the ball, the player should turn their hip and take the ball in the opposite direction using the inside of their foot. Finally the player should accelerate away with the ball. This enables the player to complete the “Cryuff turn”.
5. On approaching the gate the player should step across the ball with the best foot towards the outside. Now with the opposite leg the player should complete a 360 turn whilst taking the ball away with the inside of the foot.
This enables the player to complete the “spinning turn”. The players should complete four repetitions of each skill/turn.

Passing the Ball
Simple exercises to improve the technique of passing the ball.

Practice 1
The cones should be placed as shown in the diagram. The player and parent work together to complete return passes in the space between the cones. The player should try to pass first time using their leading foot. Therefore going down the pitch they will use one foot and when coming up the pitch they will use their opposite foot.
Practice 2
The parent passes to the player who must pass the ball first time to hit the cones. Once a cone has been hit then the cone is removed. How many passes does it take to remove all the cones.
This practice can be completed at various distances.
Practice 3
The parent should get onto their knees 2/3yds away from the player. The parent should roll the ball quickly whilst the player completes 10 repetitions of the following exercises. 1-inside of both feet, 2-inside and outside of best foot, 3-inside and outside of weak foot. For exercises 2 and 3 the player must stand side on to the parent.
Practice 4
The aim of this game is to kick the first ball into space and then kick the 2nd ball to hit the first ball (running player / moving target). After passing the first ball the player should run to the 2nd ball at top speed whilst looking at the direction the first ball is traveling. To increase difficulty the player can kick the ball further or increase distance between the two balls.

Turning with the ball
Simple exercises to improve turning with the ball and then getting your head up to dribble or pass the ball.
Practice 1
The parent passes the ball into the player. The player must open their body and receive the ball with their back foot (furthest foot from the ball). The player can now dribble to the end cone or make a pass.
Practice 2
The parent passes the ball into the player. The player must turn outside the gate using the inside of their right or left foot. Once comfortable with this skill the player can now progress to turning with the outside of their foot. Once again the player can dribble to the end cone or pass to the end cone.
Practice 3
The parent passes the ball into the player. The player must now turn using one of the skill learnt in practice 1 or 2 and then pass the ball into one of the side gates. A progression is for the parent to call out “right” or “left” and the player must now react to turn and pass into the gate that is called.
Practice 4
The player must dribble into space. The parent jogs slowly behind the player keeping a distance of 10yds. On the parents call of “turn” the player must quickly turn to pass. The parent must quickly move to a different position. The player is then forced to get their head up to make an accurate pass.

Receiving the ball
Simple exercises to improve the players first touch and control when receiving the ball.

Practice 1
The parent should pass the ball into the gate. The player must make a diagonal forward touch to the right or left and then pass the ball back to the parent. The player should work continuously for 1 minute and try to use the inside and outsides of both feet. The progression to this practice is to use a square. The parent now calls out the direction that the first touch should go “forward, back, left, right”. The player must adjust their bodies and take their first touch into space.
Practice 2
The parent serves the ball towards the player in the air or by bouncing the ball. The aim for the player is to use one touch to control the ball and then a 2nd touch to pass the ball back to the parent.
Practice 3
The player should jog forwards with the ball and then throw the ball into the air and over their shoulder. The aim for the player is to turn quickly and control the ball before it hits the floor. Now the player should dribble into space.
Practice 4
The parent should pass the ball towards the player and then run to pressure the player. The player needs to open their body and turn away from the pressure. Finally the player must use their body to shield the ball and then turn or dribble into space.

Skills to beat a defender
Simple skills that will improve the ability to beat a defender in 1v1 situations

1. The player should dribble towards the opponent and then step to one side behind the ball. Finally the player should take the ball in the opposite direction. This enable the player to complete a “drop the shoulder” move.
2. The player should progress the above skill by making two steps behind the ball. One with the right foot and one with the left foot. This enables the player to complete a “double shoulder” move.
3. The player should dribble towards the opponent and then quickly move the ball from one foot to the other. Therefore the player will   pass the ball from right to left foot or left to right foot. This will enable the player to wrong foot the defender and complete a “one-         two feet” skill
4. The player should dribble towards the opponent and then quickly step over the ball with one foot towards the outside. Now the player must take the ball past the defender and into space with the outside of their other foot. This enables the player to complete a               “stepover”  skill
5. The player should progress the above skill by making two stepovers. This enables the player to complete the “double stepover” skill.
6. The player should dribble towards the opponent and then quickly step across the ball to the outside. Now the player should play the ball with     the outside of the same foot in the opposite direction. This enables the player to complete the “stepacross” skill.
7. The player should dribble towards the opponent and pretend to shoot.
However instead of shooting the player should place the sole of their foot on the top of the ball and then drag the ball across their body   towards their other foot. Finally the player dribbles the ball away with their other foot. This enables the player to complete the “drag” skill.

Shooting at goal
Simple practices to improve technique and decision making when shooting at goal

Practice 1
The player must dribble the ball and then look to shoot into one of the corner gates. The player should be encouraged to shoot low and hard. If successful in shooting into the corner gates then the player will have more success in scoring a goal in real matches. To progress this exercise have the parent start with the ball and pass out to the player who must run onto the ball before shooting. Finally have the parent pass the ball from behind the player andhave the player make a turn before shooting.
Practice 2
The player must dribble down the side of the pitch and then try to shoot diagonally across the goal and into the gate. The player should again be encouraged to shoot low and hard. If successful in shooting into the corner gates the player will not only have a greater success in scoring but will also open the opportunities for team mates to react to any rebounds from the goalkeeper. Ensure the player has experience of dribbling and shooting on both sides of the pitch with their right and left feet.
Practice 3
The parent must pass a ball from the left side for the players to run and shoot.
After five shots the parent should pass the ball from the right side. This enables the player to gain experience shooting at goal with the ball coming into their body and going across their body.