Soccer practice doesn’t have to end when your child leaves the field. Practicing at home is a fantastic way for young players to improve their skills, stay active, and have fun while building confidence in their abilities. At Cochrane Wolves FC, we encourage players to continue their soccer journey outside of formal training, and we know that parents play a key role in making that possible.
In this blog, we’ll share some simple, fun, and effective soccer drills that kids can practice at home. Whether in the backyard, driveway, or a nearby park, these drills focus on core skills like dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control. With step-by-step instructions and tips from our coaches, you’ll have everything you need to help your child enjoy soccer while making measurable progress.
Why Practice at Home is Important
Practicing at home allows young players to take charge of their development. It’s a chance for them to:
- Reinforce Skills Learned in Training: Repetition is key to mastering soccer techniques.
- Build Confidence: Regular practice builds familiarity with the ball, boosting confidence on game day.
- Stay Active: Practicing at home helps kids stay healthy and active, even between practices.
- Have Fun: These drills turn practice into a fun and rewarding activity.
By dedicating even 10-15 minutes a day to practice, your child can make significant improvements over time.
Drill #1: Dribbling Through Cones
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in soccer. This drill helps kids improve their close control, agility, and ability to change direction quickly.
What You’ll Need:
- 6-8 cones, plastic cups, or any small objects to act as markers.
- A soccer ball.
How to Do It:
- Set up the cones in a straight line, spaced about 2-3 feet apart.
- Have your child dribble the ball in and out of the cones, using small, controlled touches.
- Once they reach the end, have them turn around and dribble back.
Progression Ideas:
- Challenge your child to use only their weaker foot.
- Time their runs to see how quickly they can complete the course.
Cochrane Wolves Tip: Focus on keeping the ball close to the feet to improve control. Encourage your child to look up occasionally, simulating game-like awareness.
Drill #2: Passing Against a Wall
Passing is an essential skill that teaches accuracy, timing, and power. This drill is perfect for practicing alone or with a partner.
What You’ll Need:
- A soccer ball.
- A sturdy wall (garage door, outdoor wall, or fence).
How to Do It:
- Have your child stand a few feet away from the wall and pass the ball against it.
- Encourage them to aim for a specific spot on the wall to improve accuracy.
- After the ball bounces back, control it with one touch and pass again.
Progression Ideas:
- Practice one-touch passing (no control touch before returning the ball).
- Increase the distance from the wall for more challenging passes.
Cochrane Wolves Tip: Remind your child to use the inside of their foot for accuracy and keep their passes firm but controlled.
Drill #3: Shooting on Goal
Every player loves to score goals, and this drill helps improve shooting accuracy and power.
What You’ll Need:
- A soccer ball.
- A goal (or cones/chairs to create goalposts).
How to Do It:
- Set up a goal or target area in the yard or driveway.
- Have your child practice shooting from different distances and angles.
- Encourage them to aim for specific spots in the goal (e.g., top corner or bottom left).
Progression Ideas:
- Use their weaker foot for added challenge.
- Add a “goalkeeper” (you or a sibling) to make it more game-like.
Cochrane Wolves Tip: Focus on technique—plant the non-kicking foot next to the ball, strike with the laces, and follow through toward the target.
Drill #4: Juggling the Ball
Juggling is a fun way to build ball control, coordination, and focus. While it may seem tricky at first, regular practice will show progress quickly.
What You’ll Need:
- A soccer ball.
How to Do It:
- Start by dropping the ball and kicking it back up with one foot.
- Try alternating between feet as they get comfortable.
- Challenge your child to see how many consecutive juggles they can achieve.
Progression Ideas:
- Use other parts of the body like the thighs or head to keep the ball in the air.
- Incorporate a “two-touch” rule to encourage precision.
Cochrane Wolves Tip: Encourage patience—juggling takes time to master, but it’s worth the effort for building advanced ball control.
Drill #5: Target Passing
This drill combines passing accuracy with fun challenges.
What You’ll Need:
- A soccer ball.
- Several small targets (cones, water bottles, or even toys).
How to Do It:
- Set up the targets at different distances.
- Challenge your child to pass the ball and knock over the targets.
- Award points for each successful hit and encourage them to beat their own score.
Progression Ideas:
- Move the targets farther away or place them at more challenging angles.
- Add a time limit for an extra challenge.
Cochrane Wolves Tip: Encourage proper passing form and celebrate their accuracy—it’s a great way to make practice exciting!
Drill #6: Defensive Dribbling Challenge
Defensive dribbling is crucial for maintaining possession under pressure. This drill builds strength and control.
What You’ll Need:
- A soccer ball.
- A small space in the yard or driveway.
How to Do It:
- Mark out a small square with cones or markers.
- Have your child dribble within the square while trying to maintain control of the ball.
- To add pressure, act as a defender by trying to steal the ball.
Progression Ideas:
- Increase the size of the space as your child’s control improves.
- Introduce multiple “defenders” (you or siblings) for added difficulty.
Cochrane Wolves Tip: Teach your child to shield the ball using their body and maintain close control to keep possession.
Drill #7: Agility Ladder Drills
Quick feet and agility are essential for soccer players. Even without an agility ladder, this drill can be recreated using chalk or tape.
What You’ll Need:
- An agility ladder or chalk/tape to create one.
How to Do It:
- Lay out the ladder on the ground (or draw/tape one).
- Have your child perform quick, precise footwork drills, such as “one-foot in each square” or “two-foot hops.”
- Repeat each pattern several times for muscle memory.
Progression Ideas:
- Add a soccer ball to dribble alongside the agility work.
- Time the drills and challenge them to improve their speed.
Cochrane Wolves Tip: Focus on technique over speed initially. Quickness will come naturally with consistent practice.
How Cochrane Wolves FC Encourages At-Home Practice
At Cochrane Wolves FC, we believe that soccer skills are built through consistent effort, both on and off the field. Our coaches encourage players to make practice part of their daily routine, but we also emphasize the importance of keeping it fun and pressure-free. By practicing at home, players not only refine their skills but also develop discipline, confidence, and a deeper love for the game.
Conclusion: Turn Your Backyard Into a Training Ground
Practicing soccer at home is a fantastic way for kids to stay active, build their skills, and develop a passion for the game. With these simple, engaging drills, your child can work on key areas like dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control—all while having fun and challenging themselves.
At Cochrane Wolves FC, we’re here to support every player’s soccer journey, both on and off the field. By encouraging at-home practice and celebrating progress, we help young players grow into confident, skilled athletes who are ready to shine on game day.
So grab a ball, head outside, and let the fun begin—because every touch counts when you’re building your soccer skills the Wolves way!
