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

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

3.78 430,847 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

3.78 151,177 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

3.78 110,245 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

3.77 192,594 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

3.76 222,282 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

3.76 135,166 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

3.75 243,334 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

3.75 167,698 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 31,818 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Defensive Clearances- Up and Out

This defensive soccer drill focuses on clearing balls from the defensive third of the field. Defenders are taught to handle difficult balls and clearing them high and wide.

12+ yrs. 4+ players 15 mins. HALF FIELD yds. GK: no

3.75 52,430 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Three Goal Shooting Drill

This soccer shooting fitness exercise is a great finishing drill for getting rapid shots on multiple goals and is also great for fitness.

9+ yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. HALF FIELD yds. GK: yes

3.74 115,008 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Goalkeeper Pressure Cooker Drill

This soccer drill is a great goal keeper warm-up drill. It will give your keeper a great workout while working on passing and shooting with accuracy.

9+ yrs. 8+ players 15 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: yes

3.73 80,171 Chris Johnson