FIRING SQUAD - This drill will help improve your goalie's reaction time, as well as allow players to work on their shooting.  Position five players in a line-each with a ball facing the goalie.  The players should be about 20 yards from the net.  (The younger the players, the shorter the distance.)  Position yourself behind the net, or at least out of sight of the goalie.  Signal which of the five players you want to shoot.  On your command, all five players should approach their balls as though they are going to kick them, but only the player you selected should shoot.   This will force the goalie to watch all five players and then react to the ball that has been kicked.

PROGRESSION - Divide part of the field into four sections and mark them  off with pylons.  Position a player in each section.  The object is for the offensive player to maneuver the ball through the four defenders one at a time, since the defenders are not allowed to leave their sections.  Award the offensive player a point for every section he or she successfully advances to.  Rotate players so they each have a chance to work on both their offensive and defensive skills.

TWO-ON-TWO - Create a small playing area and set up pylons a few feet apart for the goals.  Play games of two-on-two, which will force each player to be directly involved in playing offense and defense.  To increase the drill's difficulty, only allow players to take shots on the goal with their less-dominant foot.  Another fun twist is to play a 2-on-2 tournament.  Keep the games short by having the first team to score two goals wins.  Also, require that each player must score a goal to reinforce the teamwork concept.

BREAKAWAY - Divide the team into two groups.  Have the players start about 30 yards away and go in on the goalie one at a time, taking only one shot.  See how many goals ech group can score in a two-minute period.  A fund twist to the drill is for you, as the coach, to play goalie.

TAG - Position four cones at random spots around the playing field.  Give each youngster  a soccer ball.  The object of the game is for the players to dribble their balls without being tagged by the coach.  The cones represent a safe spot, so players who are at the cones can't be tagged.  Only allow players to remain at the cones for five seconds to keep the game moving.

KEEPAWAY - Choose five offensive players and two defensive players.  The object is for the offensive players to keep possession of the ball.  Turn it into a fun game by awarding the offensive team a point every time they successfully make five passes in a row, and give the defensive team a point every time they steal the ball.

STOP AND GO - This is a variation of the popular "red light, green light" game children play.  Give each player a ball.  Position yourself 50 yards away from the players with your back to them.  When you yell "go," the players begin dribbling toward you.  When you say "stop," turn around quickly and whichever players you catch still moving with the ball are sent back to the starting line.  This will help develop quick reactions and improve balance.

ZIG ZAG SHOT - Arrange pylons and have players maneuver balls through them.  At the end of the course have the player take a shot on goal.  Time each of the players and deduct five seconds if they are able to score a goal.

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