Red Light, Green Light Soccer Drill

Chris Johnson 236,617 Views Rating 4.04 (103 Reviews)

This soccer dribbling drill, designed for U4, U6, and U8 players, combines fun with skill-building by incorporating a familiar childhood game. It emphasizes close ball control and quick stopping, helping players refine their dribbling precision and responsiveness.

Soccer Drill Diagram: Red Light, Green Light Soccer Drill

red light green light, fun youth soccer dribbling drill

This soccer dribbling drill will focus on dribbling with the ball close to stop quickly.
Drill Setup

  1. Start all of the players on one sideline shoulder-to-shoulder, each with a soccer ball.
  2. The end-line is the opposite sideline.
  3. The coach should move 15-20 yards away from the closest player.
Drill Instructions

  1. With the coaches back to the players, yell "GREEN LIGHT," and the players try to dribble to the coach.
  2. The coach then yells "RED LIGHT," the players must quickly stop the ball. The coach should wait a moment and then turns to face the players.
  3. Any player moving must go back to the farthest person from the coach.
Drill Variations

  • Limit the players to dribble with their right foot only. 
  • Limit the players to dribble with their left foot only. 
  • Limit the players to dribble with the bottom of the foot only.
Drill Coaching Points

  • Listen to coaches commands.
  • React quickly to verbal queues.
  • Dribble with speed, but keep the close.
  • Make sure the players hold the ball close so they can stop quickly.

Top Rated Soccer Drills


7v7 Scrimmage

Chris Johnson 163,151 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 Soccer Drill

Chris Johnson 579,620 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 499,817 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 725,351 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 345,019 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 252,959 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 201,221 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 809,135 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 344,462 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 694,241 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.