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 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.
MEDIUM
The Guard the Castle drill is a great small-sided game that focuses on passing in numbers up situations. This soccer passing game is a fun drill the kids will love it!
EASY
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.
EASY
This soccer skills drill aims to practice trapping and control with the foot, chest, and thigh.
MEDIUM
This soccer warm-up drill focuses on passing and receiving and can be used for players 9 years and older. It's a good drill that can be tweaked to focus on any types of passing or receiving skills.
MEDIUM
This is a passing warm-up drill that is a great start to every practice and before a game. Players will get a lot of touches on the ball and can focus on receiving and passing while getting in a good warm-up.
EASY
This drill builds fundamental ball mastery and comfort on the ball through unlimited touches and creative exploration. Players develop a natural feel for the ball by using all surfaces of their feet without the pressure of structured patterns or defenders. The confined space demands close control and quick adjustments, which translate directly into tight game situations. By encouraging experimentation with different moves and feints, players discover what works for their style and build confidence to try skills in actual games. Keeping their heads up while dribbling fosters awareness, helping players see teammates and opponents during matches. The freestyle environment removes the fear of mistakes and lets players push their limits, where real skill development happens. This drill is perfect for warming up because it gives players plenty of touches on the ball while allowing them to express themselves and have fun.
MEDIUM
This drill teaches players how to handle pressure when receiving with their back to goal, a situation that happens constantly in games. Players learn to position their body between the opponent and the ball to protect possession. They develop the feel for where the defender is without looking and make smart decisions about when to turn, when to shield, and when to play quickly. Reading the pressure is the key skill here. If the defender is tight, players need patience and technique to spin away. If the defender gives space, players should recognize it instantly and turn to attack. The competitive race element builds urgency and simulates the real game pressure of winning a fifty-fifty ball. Scoring on small goals adds consequence and forces players to execute their escape move with a purpose.
Hard
Soccer Tennis is a great game to focus on volleys and balls out of the air. It can be played virtually anywhere, and the older kids will love it.
MEDIUM
The Goalkeeper Warm-up Drill is a great soccer goalkeeper warm-up drill to add to the pregame warm-up. Goalkeepers will love this warm-up.
EASY
The Figure Eight soccer dribbling drill is a good change to weaving in and out of cones and is great for dribbling with the inside and outside of the foot.
MEDIUM
The Triangle Goal Soccer Game will focus on all aspects of the game such as passing, moving, and finishing. The players will have to work together as a team to quickly off-balance the defender and catch the goalkeeper off guard.
MEDIUM
This soccer passing drill focuses on quick ball movement and combinations. Use this soccer combination drill to clean up first touch and tight passing, or spread it out and work on long passing.
Premium