Drill category
Football ball mastery drills
Ball mastery drills give every player their own ball and hundreds of touches in a few minutes. They are the quickest way to lift the technical level of a whole grassroots squad.
What to coach
- A ball each, no queues
- Small, quick touches
- Both feet, every session
All 157 football ball mastery drills
Every drill below has its own page with the full set-up, step-by-step instructions, coaching points and progressions.
- Cone Clear-Out — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Traffic Lights Dribbling — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Skill Move Circuit — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- First Touch & Turn — first touch drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Ball Mastery Toolbox — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- 1-to-1 Ball Mastery Clinic — ball mastery drill, 15 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Dribble Slalom Head To Head — dribbling drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Shielding & Turning Under Pressure — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 8 to Adults
- 500 Touches Mastery Circuit — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- 1-to-1 Agility With The Ball — speed & agility drill, 10 min, Under 7 to Adults
- Ball Mastery Maze — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Mastery Box Circuit — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Turning Gates — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Mirror Mastery Pairs — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Juggling Ladder — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Ball Mastery Figure Eight — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Gate Dribble Chase — warm ups drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Under 14
- Corner Box Moves — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Bounce and Turn — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 6 to Under 16
- Numbered Gates — warm ups drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Under 14
- Follow the Leader — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 16
- Cone Gate Cruise — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Under 12
- Island Dribble — ball mastery drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Under 14
- Four Corner Freestyle — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 16
- Gate Hunters — ball mastery drill, 18 min, Under 6 to Under 15
- Box And Turn — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 6 to Under 14
- Tunnel Touch — ball mastery drill, 16 min, Under 7 to Under 16
- Colour Call Moves — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 13
- Lane Surf — ball mastery drill, 18 min, Under 7 to Under 16
- Stop Turn Sprint — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 6 to Under 15
- Shark Circle — ball mastery drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Under 14
- Endline Escape — ball mastery drill, 18 min, Under 7 to Under 16
- Move And Freeze — ball mastery drill, 8 min, Under 5 to Under 12
- Split Box Challenge — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 6 to Under 15
- Around The Pole — ball mastery drill, 16 min, Under 7 to Under 16
- Ball Stop Relay — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 6 to Under 14
- Circle Of Moves — ball mastery drill, 9 min, Under 5 to Under 12
- Lane Change Race — ball mastery drill, 15 min, Under 7 to Under 15
- Pocket Prowl — ball mastery drill, 18 min, Under 8 to Under 16
- Touch And Go Gates — ball mastery drill, 16 min, Under 6 to Under 15
- Corner Box Play — ball mastery drill, 20 min, Under 8 to Under 16
- Horseshoe Mastery — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 6 to Under 14
- Close Control Chaos — ball mastery drill, 18 min, Under 7 to Under 15
- Colour Gate Pass — passing drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 14
- Inside Out Passing — passing drill, 12 min, Under 6 to Under 16
- Ball Move Circuit — possession drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Cone Box Burst — dribbling drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Box Turn Battle — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 6 to Adults
- Shadow Step Dribble — dribbling drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 14
- Mirror Moves — dribbling drill, 8 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Shadow Receive — first touch drill, 8 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Backspin Control — first touch drill, 10 min, Under 6 to Adults
- Gate Turn Receive — receiving drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Gate and Go — shooting drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 10
- Safe Step Header — heading drill, 11 min, Under 12 to Adults
- Knock And Win — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 6 to Under 12
- Cone Burst — speed & agility drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 12
- Turn and Go — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Under 12
- Slalom Race — speed & agility drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Under 12
- Touch And Travel — cool downs drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Box To Touch — football fitness drill, 8 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Overload Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Underload Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Two-Touch Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Tempo Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Transition Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Pressure Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Continuous Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Rotation Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Combination Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wide Channel Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Counter Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Finishing Sole Roll Grid — ball mastery drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Overload Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Underload Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Two-Touch Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Tempo Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Transition Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Pressure Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Continuous Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Rotation Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Combination Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wide Channel Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Counter Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Finishing Figure Eight Mastery — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Overload Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Underload Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Two-Touch Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Tempo Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Transition Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Pressure Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Continuous Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Rotation Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Combination Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wide Channel Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Counter Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Finishing Clock Face Touches — ball mastery drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Overload Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Underload Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Two-Touch Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Tempo Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Transition Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Pressure Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Continuous Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Rotation Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Combination Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wide Channel Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Counter Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Finishing Gate Hunt Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Overload Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Underload Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Two-Touch Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Tempo Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Transition Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Pressure Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Continuous Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Rotation Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Combination Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wide Channel Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Counter Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Finishing Escape Square Dribble — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Overload Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Underload Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Two-Touch Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Tempo Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Transition Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Pressure Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Continuous Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Rotation Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Combination Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wide Channel Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Counter Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Finishing Rebound Wall Touch — first touch drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Flow Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Colour Call Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Partner Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Circuit Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Ladder Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Mirror Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Count-Up Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Traffic Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Relay Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wave Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Recovery Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Challenge Ball and Body Warm Up — warm ups drill, 10 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Overload Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Underload Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Two-Touch Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Tempo Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Transition Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Pressure Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Continuous Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Rotation Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Combination Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Wide Channel Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
- Counter Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
- Finishing Ladder and Ball — speed & agility drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
Drills by age group
Ball Mastery drill questions coaches ask
How many football ball mastery drills are there on Football Coach Hub?
There are 157 football ball mastery drills in the library, each with a setup, coaching points, common mistakes, a progression and a regression so you can run it with mixed abilities.
What equipment do I need for ball mastery drills?
Most drills need only a ball per player, cones and bibs. You can filter the drill library by the kit you actually have, including mini goals, full goals, poles, ladders and rebound boards.
How long should a ball mastery practice last?
Ten to fifteen minutes on one technical practice is usually enough before players need a change of picture. Follow it with the same theme inside a small-sided game.
How to run ball mastery in a grassroots session
Ball mastery works because every player has their own ball, so a squad of fourteen gets fourteen times the touches of a queue-based practice. Five focused minutes at the start of every session changes a team's technical level across a season.
Coach the movement, not the pattern. Toe taps and rolls only transfer to a match if players keep their head up between touches and can do them while moving into space.
- A ball each, in a marked area, from the first minute.
- Two or three moves per session, both feet, short bursts.
- Add a call or a colour so players must look up mid-move.
- Finish with a 1v1 or a game so the skill gets used under pressure.
Other drill categories
Ready to plan your next training session?
Tell us your age group, player numbers, session length and focus — Football Coach Hub builds the full session, warm up to cool down.
Free plan included. Try Coach free for 7 days — £0 today, cancel any time.