Under 12 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises

Quality age-appropriate soccer drills for kids in the U12, Under 12, 12 and Under age group.

Soccer drills for 12-year-olds emphasize skill refinement and tactical awareness to prepare players for more competitive play. This page provides drills designed to enhance dribbling, passing, shooting, and decision-making in game-like situations.

Age-Specific Drills

MEDIUM

Defensive Speed Course

This soccer fitness drill is designed to improve defensive speed and quickness in front of the goal. This exercise is intended to be more of a fitness training drill than a technical or tactical defensive soccer training drill.

9+ yrs. 4+ players 20 mins. 25x40 yds. GK: yes

3.79 138,226 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

3v1 - Attacking the Goal

This attacking soccer drill focus on the attacking movement and composure in front of the goal. Players will become comfortable in front of the goal and will be able to recognize situational play.

9+ yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 25x40 yds. GK: yes

3.79 94,850 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

3v1 Rotating Defenders

This 3v1 game will focus on keeping possession in a tight space. Work on passing, decision making, movement on and off the ball as well as improve communication.

9+ yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 10X10 yds. GK: no

3.78 428,640 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Teaching 1st Defender without Opposition

This soccer defending drill is excellent for teaching young players how to defend when they are the closest player to the opponent with the ball.

8-14 yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no

3.78 150,708 Chris Johnson

Hard

4v2 and 3v1 Rondo; Finding Target Players

This 4v2 and 3v1 rondo soccer drill focuses on playing the target players from the attacking third of the field.

12+ yrs. 8+ players 15 mins. 25X25 yds. GK: no

3.78 109,875 Chris Johnson

EASY

Soccer Fitness; Improving Reaction and Acceleration

This soccer fitness exercise focuses on improving player's reaction time and acceleration.

9+ yrs. 8+ players 10 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no

3.77 192,217 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Line Passing Combination Warm-up

This combination passing drill is designed to work on combination play while advancing up the field. This passing drill focuses on the timing of passes, runs, combination play, and will be a great warm-up to passing practices.

8-12 yrs. 4+ players 10 mins. HALF FIELD yds. GK: no

3.76 221,402 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Passing Combination | 1-2 | Wall Pass | One-Two

This soccer passing and combination drill focuses on passing and receiving ground balls and performing a one-two (1-2) and a wall pass around the defender.

9+ yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 10X20 yds. GK: no

3.76 134,665 Chris Johnson

EASY

Partner Pass and Move Soccer Warm-up

This soccer passing drill will help you focus and teach a young player how to pass with the correct surface on the foot, how to receive a ball and move after receiving the pass.

6-14 yrs. 4+ players 10 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no

3.76 86,589 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Center Mid Passing Combination 2

This combination passing drill focuses on center mid play and playing diagonal balls in the direction they are facing.

9+ yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no

3.75 242,806 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Small-Sided Shooting and Finishing Game

This small-sided shooting and finishing game is a great shooting drill that focuses on shooting and finishing.

9+ yrs. 12+ players 20 mins. 40X40 yds. GK: yes

3.75 167,143 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

1v1 Three Grid Gauntlet Attacking Drill

The 1v1 three grid attacking drill focuses on dribbling to beat multiple defenders.

9+ yrs. 6+ players 20 mins. 10X40 yds. GK: no

3.75 31,306 Chris Johnson