Football drills to practise at home
Solo drills for the garden, the park or a hallway. Each has three levels, works for one player (or with a parent), and fits into a follow-along circuit for each position.
The best football drills to do at home need only a ball, a wall and a little space: ball mastery like toe taps and sole rolls, wall passes with both feet, turns, target shooting and keeper catches. Ten to fifteen minutes a few times a week makes a real difference.
Toe taps
Tap the top of the ball with alternate feet, light and quick, staying on your toes. The classic ball mastery warm-up.
U6 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Sole rolls
Roll the ball across your body with the sole of one foot, then back with the other. Builds close control for tight spaces.
U6 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Inside-outside touches
Push the ball with the inside of one foot, then the outside of the same foot, moving it side to side. Great for dribbling and changing direction.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →V pull-backs
Pull the ball back with your sole and push it away at an angle with the inside of the same foot, making a V. A move that beats a defender in a tight space.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Two-cone turns
Dribble between two markers and turn at each one with a different turn. Practises the turns players need in games.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Slalom dribble
Weave through a line of markers using small touches with both feet, then sprint back. Close control at speed.
U6 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Juggling ladder
Keep the ball up with your feet, thighs and head, aiming to climb the ladder: 5, 10, 20, 50. Builds touch and focus.
U8 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Wall passes, both feet
Pass against a wall with the inside of your foot and control the return. The best home drill for passing and first touch.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Two-touch wall angles
Receive the ball off the wall, take your first touch across your body to a cone, then pass again. Teaches the first touch that sets up the next pass.
U8 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Receive and turn off the wall
Pass to the wall, let it come back, and turn with your first touch to dribble away to a cone. The half-turn every midfielder needs.
U9 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Weaker foot wall challenge
Passes, control and shots against a wall using only your weaker foot. Players with two good feet are much harder to stop.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Long pass to a target
Strike longer passes to land on or near a target. Builds the range centre-backs, keepers and midfielders need to switch play.
U10 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Target zones on a wall
Mark four target zones on a wall or fence (the goal's corners) and shoot to hit them. Accuracy beats power.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Turn and shoot
Start with your back to goal, take a touch to turn and shoot in two touches. The striker's most important finish.
U8 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Volleys from your own feed
Drop the ball from your hands and volley it at a target. Clean volleys come from timing and a still head.
U9 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Jockey and shuffle
Side-on defending footwork: shuffle, drop back and change direction without crossing your feet. The base of 1v1 defending.
U8 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Recovery sprints
Turn and sprint back past a cone, as if recovering goal-side of an attacker. Builds the recovery runs defenders and midfielders make all game.
U9 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Quick feet and finish
Fast feet through a short cone line, then collect the ball and strike. Agility and finishing in one.
U8 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Keeper wall catches
Throw against a wall and catch the return in the W shape (above the waist) or a basket (below). The keeper's daily routine.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Keeper footwork shuffle
Shuffle side to side between two cones in the ready position, then set for an imaginary shot. Quick, set feet make saves easier.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Keeper kicks and throws to a target
Roll, throw and kick to a target to practise starting attacks. Modern keepers are the first attacker.
U9 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Scan and call
While passing against a wall, a parent holds up a colour or number behind you. Check over your shoulder and call it before the ball comes back. Builds the habit of looking before you receive.
U8 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →1v1 moves on a cone
Dribble at a cone and beat it with a move: step-over, scissors, drop of the shoulder or a cut. Then explode away.
U7 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Crossing to a target
Dribble down a 'touchline' and cross to a target area, as wingers and full-backs do. Practise driven, lofted and cut-back crosses.
U10 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →Header technique with a parent
A parent tosses a soft ball and you head it back with your forehead, eyes open. Technique only, few repetitions: heading guidance for young players limits it.
U12 to adult · 1 (or with a parent) players · 2 to 5 mins
See the drill →🎽 Positions
Building a session?
Tell the free session planner your age group, numbers and what to work on, and it builds a full session from drills like these.
Coaching guides
Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.