Beginner Soccer Drills - Essential Soccer Drills For Beginners

Soccer, otherwise known as football around the world, truly is the world’s game. Over 4 million players of all levels from around the world are reported to be playing this sport. One reason that leads to its massive popularity is its simplicity and lack of equipment needed to play. All you need to enjoy a match is a ball, and that’s it. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t need skills to excel.

Basic Skills Required For Soccer

Dribbling
Passing
Shooting

When looking at the fundamental play of soccer, you will see 3 skills are required for any player. Without these abilities, you really can’t even play soccer, let alone excel. This is why it is vital to master the fundamental movements, and this article will do just that. You’re going to learn the best drills for each skill. Better yet, they can practice alone, meaning you can train anytime!

3 Beginner Soccer Drills

1. Lane Dribbling

Dribbling is essential to soccer, as it is how the ball is moved up and down the field. However, it’s more than just that. A good dribbler doesn’t just move up and down; they must be able to maneuver around defenders, change direction, and have exceptional ball control. Here are some of the simplest yet most effective dribbling drills.

What Is Drill Lane Dribbling

There is an obvious difference between when you see someone kicking the ball and chasing it and when you see a talented dribbler. That difference is control, and that’s what this what’s this drill is all about. Lane dribbling is one of the best ways to improve dribbling speed while maintaining control of the ball.

Lane dribbling uses cones as gates to create a “lane” that you dribble through. The skills land dribbling improves includes speed, ball control and agility. While the main objective is always speed, there are various modifications to alter the movements. Lane dribbling is going to increase your ball control significantly at speed, footwork, and agility.

Lane Dribbling Drill Set Up

Set up two rows of cones to create a runway. Cones should be directly across from each other all the way down.
Set the width depending on what you want to practice. Narrower cones will obviously be for more advanced players. Wider cones can be used for agility variations where the player dribbles back and forth.

Lane Dribbling Drill Variations

Dribble through the lane as fast as you can while maintaining control of the ball. The foot used and number of contacts isn’t important as long as you maintain control
Dribble through the lane as fast as you can while maintaining control of the ball with one foot. This variation will have you contact the ball every time with the designated foot. Doing so will train you to keep tighter control while still moving fast.
Start at one extreme end and choose either of the above techniques to use. However, now you will dribble by zig-zagging all the way down using a 45-degree angle. This variation focuses on speed while changing direction. Use a wider lane.
Set up the cones to create a narrow lane. Doing so will limit room for error and demand tight control. Over time, you can make the lane narrower and narrower.

2. Wall Passing Drill

Even the best dribblers get into spots where they’re better off getting rid of the ball. This could be to get the ball downfield, pass, so the team doesn’t lose control, or make a sick pass across midfield for a goal assist. Soccer is a team sport. For optimal performance, every member of the team needs to be utilized. This is done with passing.

What Is The Wall Passing Drill?

Wall passing is an excellent drill as you can practice by yourself AND you can train both passing and receiving. All you need is a wall! A player will simply give a ball into the wall. Then, they will practice receiving the “pass” when the ball comes back to them. Again, drills can be varied.

Wall Passing Drill Steps

Locate a wall of substantial length and on a surface appropriate for a soccer ball to roll on
Begin with a step back about 5-10ft
Pass the ball into the wall. When it comes back, catch the ball with your foot

Wall Passing Drill Variations

Running Wall Passing. You will need a longer wall for this drill. Start on one end of the wall and pass the ball at an angle into the wall. The ball will bounce, going slightly away from you. You will need to anticipate this and catch the ball. Continue passing the ball into the wall all the way down.
Target Wall Passing. Make marks on a wall (if yours) or find a few spots, such as a crack. Pass the ball and try to hit the designated mark. When the ball comes back to you, catch it, and immediately pass it to another mark.
Alter The Distance, Angle, And Speed. These are just different variables you can adjust to training for any situation.

3. Turn And Shoot Drill

The last piece of the puzzle for effective play is actually getting the ball into the net. This is done with shooting. Without placing a ball where you want with accuracy and power, winning a game will be next to impossible. Use this shooting drill to be sure you can get points on the board.

What Is The Turn And Shoot Drill?

Turn and shoot is a drill to practice in-game shooting that mimics receiving a ball while facing away from the net, only turning quickly and making a long shot. One significant benefit of this drill is the shooter can stand virtually anywhere on the field. This means they can practice the drill at various angles and distances to mimic any likely scenario.

Turn And Shoot Drill Steps

Choose where you want to stand depending on what you want to drill. You can choose head-on, close, or at a far angle.
Face away from the net. Again, you can face in the completely opposite direction or slightly off. Switch it up to maximize the experience.
Set a ball slightly in front of you. There should be enough distance, so set a short-timer with your phone, about 10-15 seconds. This should be long enough so that the buzzer is still a bit of a surprise.
At the buzzer, use one foot to roll the ball towards you
Get control of the ball and turn towards the goal
Shoot immediately as you face the goal. This drill mimics in-game shooting so you don’t have time to adjust and set-up. Hence the name “Turn And Shoot!”
These Drills Are Just The Beginning!

Learn to master these 3 beginner soccer drills, and you will instantly be a much more dangerous player. However, these drills are just the beginning. Check out the Vertimax Instagram page or the Vertimax Soccer YouTube channel for more ideas!

Sometimes, you need to switch-up your training program and sometimes, you need to do it fast. Check out these 5 Soccer Training Drills to increase Power and Speed.

Also check out these Soccer Drills.

See more on Soccer Training