Early and Whipped Crosses
Ages 14 and up · 12 min
Deliver early crosses from deep and whipped crosses from wide into a zone, 6 per set.
- Mark a zone of 4 cones between the penalty spot and the six-yard line.
- From deep on the side, cross early into the zone.
- Then from wider, whip across the ball with pace.
- Do 5 sets of 6, both feet.
Coach's cue: Whip across the ball; pick the zone before you strike.
Bring: 3 to 5 soccer balls, 6 cones
Safety: Make sure nobody is standing near the goal, the wall or the target before you strike.
Recovery Run and Block
Ages 14 and up · 12 min
Recover from behind an attacker and get goal-side in time to block the shot.
- Start 3 yards behind your partner, who dribbles at goal from 30 yards.
- Sprint to get between them and the goal.
- Turn side-on and block or force them wide.
- Do 8 reps each with full rest.
Coach's cue: Run to the goal side first, the ball second.
Bring: soccer ball, partner, goal
Safety: Stay on your feet; no tackles from behind.
Ball Mastery Combos at Match Speed
Ages 14 and up · 10 min
Chain 3 or 4 moves at match speed, then random calls with head-up checks.
- Pick 3 or 4 combinations, for example step-over into la croqueta into a drag-back.
- Do each for 45 to 60 seconds at game speed, 30 seconds rest.
- Then 2 rounds of 60 seconds where your parent calls the move.
- Look up between touches.
Coach's cue: Match speed, eyes up between touches.
Bring: soccer ball, partner or parent
Repeat Sprint Shuttles
Ages 14 and up · 15 min
Short sprints with short rests, matching the stop-start demands of a real game.
- Set cones at 0, 10 and 20 yards.
- Sprint to 10 and back, then to 20 and back.
- Rest 30 seconds.
- Do 6 shuttles, rest 2 minutes, then 6 more.
Coach's cue: Touch the line and push off low.
Bring: 3 cones
Safety: Warm up fully. Drink water between sets.
One-Touch Wall Rhythm
Ages 11 and up · 10 min
Keep a one- and two-touch rhythm off the wall, alternating feet; at 14 and over, weak-foot-only sets and lofted passes.
- Stand 4 to 6 steps from a wall.
- Pass with two touches, then with one, keeping a steady rhythm.
- Every other pass uses your weaker foot.
- Do 5 sets of 45 to 60 seconds. Older players add a lofted pass to a high mark on the wall.
Coach's cue: Keep the rhythm; weaker foot every other pass.
Bring: soccer ball, wall
Scan and Play Under a Pressure Call
Ages 14 and up · 12 min
Two looks before every receive, then play away from the side your parent calls as “pressure”.
- Set a gate on each side of you, 5 steps away.
- Pass to the wall. As it comes back, your parent calls “left” or “right” as the pressure side.
- Look twice, then receive and play out through the other gate.
- Do 6 sets of 60 seconds.
Coach's cue: Two looks, then the pass that breaks the line.
Bring: soccer ball, wall, 4 cones, partner or parent
Safety: No contact and no tackling: the parent or partner only moves, calls or rolls the ball.