Soccer Control and Trapping Small Sided Game

Chris Johnson 188,110 Views Rating 4.13 (69 Reviews)

This control and trapping game is a great exercise that focuses on controlling balls out of the air. Players throw the balls into their teammates, making it easier to focus on controlling balls out of the air and deciding where to direct your touches.

Soccer Drill Diagram: Soccer Control and Trapping Small Sided Game

Soccer Control and Trapping Small Sided Game, Soccer Control, Soccer Trapping

This is a great exercise that focuses on control and trapping. It’s a great trapping drill that helps focus on when and where to receive the ball.
Drill Setup

  1. Create a grid that is approximately 40X60 yards with goals on each end.
  2. Split the teams into 6v6 and place a goalkeeper in each goal.
  3. One team will start with the ball in their hands.
Drill Instructions

  1. This trapping game is not your typical 6v6 game as you play this game with your hands.
  2. The play should follow this order:
    (1) a player throws to a teammate
    (2) the teammate (receiving player) must control the ball to the ground
    (3) the receiving player then picks up his trapped ball and throws it to a teammate.
  3. Players are not able to run while holding the ball.
  4. The opposition should attempt to intercept the ball by controlling the ball out of the air or picking up a poorly trapped ball from the other team.
  5. A goal can be stored at any point and from anywhere within the grid if the shot is taken immediately after controlling the ball to the ground.
Drill Variations

  • Change up the play by allowing players to:
    (1) throw to a teammate;
    (2) teammate controls the ball to the ground;
    (3) he then passes the ball to the teammate;
    (4) the teammate receiving the pass picks the ball up and throws it to another teammate.
Drill Coaching Points

  • Focus on how and where to trap the ball
  • Make sure supporting players move off the ball to create space and avoid pressure.

Top Rated Soccer Drills


7v7 Scrimmage

Chris Johnson 150,752 Views Rating 4.4 (5 Reviews)
It's always good to finishing a soccer training session with a 7 vs. 7 scrimmage to focus on team play.

Sharks and Minnows

Chris Johnson 550,277 Views Rating 4.3 (166 Reviews)
The Sharks and Minnows dribbling drill focuses on using the body to protect the ball by placing their body in between the ball and the defender.

1v1 Diamond Shooting Drill

Chris Johnson 468,603 Views Rating 4.3 (10 Reviews)
Spice up your shooting combination drill by finishing with a 1v1 to goal. Add a fun little twist, and the kids love it.

Pirates of the Pugg

John Bychok 697,427 Views Rating 4.27 (384 Reviews)
This drill is an excellent drill for younger players ages 8-11 and focuses on dribbling technique in traffic which requires vision and awareness.

Alien Tag Soccer Game

Chris Johnson 329,525 Views Rating 4.27 (11 Reviews)
Alien tag is a great Under 4 soccer game for 3, 4, 5, and 6 year-olds. Your kids will like flying around and crashing in their spaceship.

4v4 Soccer to a Small Gate

Chris Johnson 237,419 Views Rating 4.24 (75 Reviews)
4v4 in soccer is the smallest game focusing on all aspects of a full sided soccer match.

The Flag Game - Dribbling in Tight Spaces

Chris Johnson 189,873 Views Rating 4.23 (48 Reviews)
The flat game soccer drill is designed to focus on young soccer players learning to dribble in tight spaces.

Four Corners Passing Game

Chris Johnson 773,602 Views Rating 4.2 (284 Reviews)
The Four Corners Soccer Passing Game is a great soccer passing drill to focus on changing the point of the attack, and timing of runs and passes.

1v1 Competition

Chris Johnson 328,797 Views Rating 4.2 (147 Reviews)
This drill is great to focus on 1v1 play. It is flexible and can be used to work on the offensive side or the defensive side.

Ouch!

Chris Johnson 675,832 Views Rating 4.18 (268 Reviews)
A FUN soccer drill for younger players (U6, U7, and U8) to introduce dribbling, looking up and correctly striking the ball at a target.