It is important to practice all your youth soccer drills progressively, according to the age and skill level of the players. This is not intended as an end all be all guide on the topic, but as a sample guideline of coaching kids soccer.

1. Technical Soccer Drills For Different Ages
A sample of progressive youth soccer

2. 7-Year-Old Players
• Passing and receiving with both feet
• Shooting with both feet (scoring goals!)
• Dribbling the ball and performing rudimentary feints
Notes: Everybody gets to play goalkeeper, do practice using the “wrong” foot but
don't turn it into a formal exercise.
8-Year-Old Players
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Dribbling and feinting
Passing and receiving with both feet
Shooting with both feet
Turning with the ball (with both feet)
Heading the ball
Notes: With 6-8 year old kids soccer practice should always be playful, focusing on
strengthening the interest in the sport and general coordination.
9-Year-Old Players
• Dribbling and feinting
◦ Master one feint (step over etc.)
• Passing and receiving with both feet
◦ Passing to a designated player
◦ Receiving the ball and getting it under control
• Shooting with both feet
• Turning with the ball
• Headers
• Ball control skills
• Throw-ins
◦ Performing a correct throw-in
• Goalkeeping
• How to move to get open and how to create space (attacking)
• Defending

3. 10-12 Year Old Players
• Dribbling and Feinting
◦ Mastering at least two feints (step over, pullback V, shoulder feint etc.)
• Passing with both feet
◦ Passing with the laces
• Receiving with both feet
◦ Receiving with thighs and chest
◦ Receiving while moving
• Shooting with both feet
◦ Shooting with laces and the inside of the foot
◦ Half-volleys and volleys
• Turning with both feet
• Dribbling the ball with both feet – changing direction
• Headers
• Ball control skills
• Throw-ins
• Goalkeeping
◦ How to hold low, mid and high balls
• How to move to get open and how to create space (attacking)
◦ Playing using width and depth
◦ Playing distances
• Defending
Notes: It is important to teach kids of this age to use both feet and help them in
determining which is their stronger foot. Also specifically coach how to use your
arms, where to place your foot when striking the ball, following through etc.
While soccer drills are important you should also play a lot on every soccer practice.
Create realistic game situations where the kids get to test and combine the skills they
learn through their soccer drills.
This presentation is a part of a longer article available here:
http://www.soccertrainingprograms.net/soccer-drills/soccer-drills-for-kids/