Get Your Ball - Divide your team into two groups, one at each end of the practice field. On the midline place two fewer balls than there are players. On command all players sprint to the midline and try to get a ball. The object is to retrieve a ball and dribble it back over the endline from which you started. Players without a ball challenge the dribblers and try to kick their ball away.

Combat Zone - In a large rectangle (approx. 10 yd. x 24 yd.) establish four adjacent zones (each approx. 10 yd. x 6 yd.). Place a defender in zones 2 and 4. The remaining players, each with a ball, line up outside of zone 1. On command the offensive players dribble, one at a time, through the "free" zones (1 and 3) and try to beat the defenders in zones 2 and 4. Reverse direction and repeat; then switch the defenders and dribblers.

Variations: a) use 2 or 3 defenders per zone for experienced players; or b) send offensive players through in groups, scoring a point for each player who dribbles successfully through the defenders.

Bridges - Scatter half of the team widely around the field with instructions to stand with legs spread apart (they are the "bridges"). The remaining players, each with a ball, dribble to a bridge, pass their ball under it, retrieve the ball and advance to another bridge. Players may not pass under the same bridge twice in a row. Players keep track of the number of bridges they can negotiate in 1 minute; then switch bridges and dribblers and repeat.

Pass, Sprint and Dribble - Players in pairs face each other about 5 yd. apart; one player with a ball, the other standing with legs spread apart. The player with the ball passes it with the inside of the foot through the legs of his partner. As soon as the ball passes between his legs, the partner turns, sprints to catch up with the ball, turns it 180^o and dribbles back to his starting position; he is now the passer.

Pass and Run to the Cone - Place cones at the corners of a large square; 3 players and 1 ball per square. Position the players at 3 of the corners. The player with the ball passes to either of her teammates, then runs to the empty cone. The player receiving the ball controls it, passes to her remaining teammate, and runs to the new empty cone. Repeat this cycle for 3 or 4 minutes, then switch feet or exchange players. The kids should work on passing accurately and moving after making a pass, rather than standing and watching the ball.

Pass and Recieve - Position the players in two lines, single-file, facing each other about 5-10 yd. apart. The first player in line A serves the ball to the first player in line B, then runs in a wide arc to the end of line B. The first player in line B controls the serve, passes crisply back to the next player in line A, then runs in a wide arc to the end of line A. Repeat for several minutes. Vary the serve (with the hands, with the feet, high, low, rolling, bouncing, etc.). (Tip: it is important that the players run wide to the end of the opposite line so as not to interfere with the next pass).

Chip to Target - Divide the team into groups of 2 or 3 players. For each pair of groups establish 3 adjacent zones, each approximately 10 yd. wide and 6-8 yd. deep. Create a target in the middle of zone 3 using 2 or 3 cones placed side by side. Position opposing groups of players in zone 1, each player with a ball. The object is to chip the ball over zone 2 and hit the target in zone 3. Groups alternate shots and score a point for each ball that hits the target. Any ball that touches the ground in zone 2 does not count. Players shag their own ball after each shot or each round of shots.

Variation: Place two defenders in zone 2 and two offensive players in each of zones 1 and 3. The object is for the offense to chip the ball over the defenders to the players in the other end zone. It may be necessary to increase the depth of the zones. Have the players rotate through the zones every 2-3 minutes.

Wall Pass - Players form 2 lines side by side at the end of the field and off to one side; 1 ball for each pair as they come off the lines. Player A passes the ball to player B and makes a straight ahead run past B. Player B receives the ball from A across his body and prepares the ball for a return pass to A. B makes the return pass to player A who is now in a new position. Then player B makes a straight ahead run past A to receive the return pass from A. The pair repeats these passes until they reach the end of the field; they can then cross to the other side of the field, turn around and come back, repeating the sequence. Run the drill for several minutes, releasing players from the lines in such a way as to allow sufficient spacing between the pairs. (Note: players must maintain their relative positions and not lapse into simply passing side to side as they run down the field.)
 
 

Target Practice - Place up to 20 cones in a large (e.g. 30 yd. x 30 yd.) square. Send players, each with their own ball, on a hunting trip to shoot any cone they see. They must set each cone up again after knocking it over, and they cannot knock down the same cone twice in a row. Each player keeps his own score. Shoot for 1-2 minutes, then start a new round. For a real challenge, limit players to their non-dominant foot!

4 Corners Shooting - Divide the team into 4 groups plus a goalie. Position the players as shown in the diagram (if you do not have a fixed goal, just approximate the distances and establish a goal with cones). Players in groups A and C each need a ball. To start the game, player A1 passes to player B1, who controls the ball and takes a shot on goal; the keeper attempts to stop the shot. Once the goalie has recovered, player C1 passes to D1, who controls the ball and shoots on goal. Continue the sequence, having players rotate in the order A ® B ® C ® D ® A.
 

Near Post / Far Post - Divide the team into 3 roughly equal groups; each player in group C will need a ball. Group A lines up on the far wing, group B near the middle of the field, group C on the near wing (see the diagram below). On command, C1 dribbles down the wing until she nears the penalty area (or equivalent). She then turns into the center of the field and makes a crossing pass to either A1 or B1. A1 is making a looping far post run; B1 is making a near post run at an angle. Continue the sequence, having players rotate in the order A ® B ® C ® A.