Drill Library
Football drills
Search 1,000+ free football drills by age group, topic, player numbers and the kit in your bag. Every drill has a set-up, step-by-step instructions, coaching points and a progression.
Every drill in this library is written for grassroots reality: a shared pitch, a bag of cones and bibs, mixed abilities and an hour to work with. Use the search box for a topic such as passing, finishing or 1v1s, or open the filters to narrow by age group from U6 to U16, number of players, ability level, drill length and the equipment you actually have. Once you have found practices you like, the Session Builder will put a full timed session together for you.
Leave empty to see all drills. Selecting kit shows only drills you can run.
102 drills
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 6-18
- Time
- 15 min
- Area
- 10 x 10 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Technical Practice
Rondo
Keep the ball under pressure with quick decisions
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 8-16
- Time
- 18 min
- Area
- 25 x 20 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Bibs, Cones
- Focus
- Skill Practice
2v2 Defending Units
Defend as a pair with pressure and cover
- Age band
- Under 10 to Adults
- Players
- 10-18
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- 40 x 30 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Bibs, Cones
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Pressing Triggers
Press on the right trigger and at the right angle
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 1-2
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 15 x 10 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones
- Focus
- Skill Practice
1-to-1 Defending Technique
Individual defending shape and footwork
- Age band
- Under 12 to Adults
- Players
- 6-18
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- Half pitch
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Match
Back Four Shifting Shape
Shift as a unit with the ball
- Age band
- Under 12 to Adults
- Players
- 8-18
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- 40 x 35 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Bibs, Cones
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Front Three Pressing Traps
Press as a unit with a clear trigger
- Age band
- Under 12 to Adults
- Players
- 8-16
- Time
- 18 min
- Area
- 35 x 30 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Bibs, Cones
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Counter Press Five Seconds
Win the ball back within five seconds of losing it
- Age band
- Under 11 to Adults
- Players
- 6-18
- Time
- 18 min
- Area
- Half pitch
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Back Four Shifting Unit
Shift as a connected back line
- Age band
- Under 9 to Adults
- Players
- 4-16
- Time
- 12 min
- Area
- 15 x 15 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Poke Tackle Pressing
Nick the ball with a poke tackle
- Age band
- Under 11 to Adults
- Players
- 8-18
- Time
- 18 min
- Area
- Half pitch
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Pressing Trigger Practice
Recognise pressing triggers
- Age band
- Under 10 to Adults
- Players
- 8-16
- Time
- 16 min
- Area
- 25 x 25 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Counter-Press Box
Win the ball back immediately after losing it
- Age band
- Under 12 to Adults
- Players
- 10-20
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- 50 x 40 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Mid Block Pressing Shape
Hold a mid block then spring the press
- Age band
- Under 10 to Adults
- Players
- 6-18
- Time
- 16 min
- Area
- 40 x 30 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Press And Cover Waves
Press in waves without gaps
- Age band
- Under 11 to Adults
- Players
- 9-18
- Time
- 18 min
- Area
- Two 12 yard squares
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Transition Rondo Squares
Move the ball between two possession squares
- Age band
- Under 11 to Adults
- Players
- 10-20
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- 50 x 35 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Beat The Press Game
Play out under a live press
- Age band
- Under 9 to Adults
- Players
- 8-16
- Time
- 18 min
- Area
- 35 x 30 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
4v4 Transition Game
React instantly to turnovers
- Age band
- Under 11 to Adults
- Players
- 8-20
- Time
- 18 min
- Area
- Half pitch
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Compact Defensive Shape
Hold a compact defensive block
- Age band
- Under 10 to Adults
- Players
- 8-16
- Time
- 16 min
- Area
- 35 x 25 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Four Goal Transition Game
Attack immediately in the five seconds after a turnover
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 4-16
- Time
- 16 min
- Area
- 28 x 20 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Overload Delay and Show
Coach the approach and set position of the defender
- Age band
- Under 9 to Adults
- Players
- 4-16
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 22 x 14 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Underload Delay and Show
Coach the approach and set position of the defender
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 4-16
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 24 x 16 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Two-Touch Delay and Show
Coach the approach and set position of the defender
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 4-16
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 26 x 18 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Tempo Delay and Show
Coach the approach and set position of the defender
- Age band
- Under 9 to Adults
- Players
- 4-16
- Time
- 16 min
- Area
- 30 x 22 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Transition Delay and Show
Coach the approach and set position of the defender
- Age band
- Under 9 to Adults
- Players
- 4-16
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 22 x 14 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
- Focus
- Skill Practice
Pressure Delay and Show
Coach the approach and set position of the defender
What is in every drill
Set-up and area size. Pitch dimensions in yards, how many cones you need and where players start, so you can lay it out before the first player arrives.
Coaching points. Three or four things to actually say during the practice, written in language you can use with players rather than coaching-course jargon.
Progressions and regressions. How to make it harder when they master it and how to simplify it when the group is struggling or short on numbers.
Step-by-step instructions. Numbered set-up steps, a numbered sequence for running the practice, what every player and group is doing, where they move afterwards and how they rotate.
Browse football drills by age group
Each age page collects age-appropriate practices with the right area sizes, session length and coaching focus for that group.
Browse football drills by squad size
Every drill on these pages genuinely runs with that number on the pitch — nothing has been squeezed or padded to fit.
Browse football drills by topic
Every category below has its own page listing all of its drills, so you can browse without filters.