Soccer Warm up Drills

For soccer warm up drills, warm up drills for kids and youth soccer warm ups, check out our age and topic specific drills for kids of all ages.

soccer warm up drills kids warmup drills youth soccer warm up

Soccer warm-up drills are necessary to introduce a skill, technique, or tactic while allowing the player to loosen up and get ready for practice. These drills are often best at the beginning of training; however, depending on the skill level of the team can be the main drills on your topic.

Warm-Up Drills

Four-Corner Shielding Drill MEDIUM

Four-Corner Shielding Drill

This is a great drill for teaching the basics of shielding as it focuses on positioning your body between the ball and the defender to protect the ball.

8+ yrs. 5+ players 15 mins. 12X12 yds. GK: no
4.11 40,714 Chris Johnson
Soccer Dribbling and Juggling Warm-up MEDIUM

Soccer Dribbling and Juggling Warm-up

This soccer drill is a great warm-up drill that allows players to work on touching the ball with all parts of the foot. If you want to improve players footwork and dribbling skills, this is an excellent start to each practice.

8-14 yrs. 5+ players 15 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no
4.1 269,243 Chris Johnson
Speed of Play Warm-up MEDIUM

Speed of Play Warm-up

This soccer drill is a great warm-up to sessions relating to the speed of play in a soccer game. Players must have a good grasp of necessary passing and receiving skills to execute this soccer drill successfully.

9+ yrs. 12 players 20 mins. 30X40 yds. GK: no
4.08 264,650 Chris Johnson
HItters and Dodgers EASY

HItters and Dodgers

The hitters and dodgers soccer drill is a great warm-up and exercise for younger players under 5 through under 9. This soccer drill is excellent for teaching players to dribble and then getting their heads up to make a pass. This soccer drill is so much fun, and the younger players love this game.

4-10 yrs. 4+ players 10 mins. 15X15 yds. GK: no
4.06 266,623 Chris Johnson
Shadow Dribbling EASY

Shadow Dribbling

This shadow soccer dribbling drill uses partners who do not attempt to gain possession of the ball but adds extra pressure as they follow the dribbler around and tries to imitate the lead dribblers every move.

4-8 yrs. 6+ players 10 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no
4.05 84,906 Chris Johnson
Down and Back Dribbling Game EASY

Down and Back Dribbling Game

This drill is most effective with young players just learning to dribble. This drill teaches players to dribble in high traffic, high-pressure situations while staying in control. It's a great warm-up to focus on controlling the ball with all parts of the foot.

4-10 yrs. 6+ players 10 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no
4.04 253,860 Chris Johnson
Dribbling Warm-up Drill EASY

Dribbling Warm-up Drill

This soccer dribbling exercise is an excellent dribbling warm-up drill that will get players many touches on the ball in a short time.

4+ yrs. 4+ players 10 mins. 10X20 yds. GK: no
4.04 199,850 Chris Johnson
1v1 to Multiple Goals (Dribbling) MEDIUM

1v1 to Multiple Goals (Dribbling)

This 1v1 soccer drill is an excellent drill for focusing on teaching players attacking skills such as taking on their opponent or learning to attack space. Defensively it will teach players the responsibility of man-marking.

4+ yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no
4.04 124,553 Chris Johnson
Traffic Jam Dribbling Game MEDIUM

Traffic Jam Dribbling Game

This game is just out right fun! The kids will have a blast playing this game. This drill is ideal for kids who know how to dribble but just need to learn to get their heads up and dribble under the pressures of mere congestion.

4-12 yrs. 8+ players 15 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no
4.02 204,232 Chris Johnson