7 Essential Youth Soccer Drills For Ages 10-13

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What are some great soccer drills for young athletes?

These 7 drills make great additions to any practice for ages 10-13. Each has a different focus, but all cover essential skills that will help players improve their game. These can be mixed and matched to cover the drill portion of numerous sessions. Complete sessions often start with warm-ups, followed by a series of drills like these, and then end with some variations of small-sided games. 

FAQ 

How often should 10-13-year-olds practice these skill drills?

Two to three sessions per week of 45-60 minutes, with drills like these making up 15-20 minutes of each session, is a reasonable load for this age group alongside game play.

What equipment do these drills need?

An agility ladder, cones, and a soccer ball per pair are enough to run all seven drills. None requires a full field or goals.

How long should a youth soccer practice be for this age group?

Most coaches run 60-75 minute practices for 10-13 year olds: a warm-up, 20-30 minutes of drills like these, and a small-sided game to close.

At what age should players start shielding drills?

Shielding can be introduced as early as age 8-9 in simplified form, but the added-pressure version shown here (Drills 5-6) is well suited to 10-13 year olds who already have basic ball control.

Can these drills be done with a smaller group?

Yes — Drills 1, 2, 4, and 7 work individually or in pairs. Drills 3, 5, and 6 need at least 3-4 players, but can be adapted for smaller groups by shortening the grid.

Drill 1: The Samba (Ladder)

This ladder drill is designed to help players become more comfortable opening their hips while in motion and to improve coordination. The opening of the hips is an essential movement in soccer — for example, when receiving a pass, players often open the hip of their receiving leg to control the ball into a new direction.

How to do it: Set up an agility ladder flat on the ground. Players move through it, opening one hip and then the other with each step, keeping their chest up and eyes forward rather than looking down at their feet.

Reps: 3-4 passes through the ladder, resting 20-30 seconds between passes.

Coaching cue: "Open the gate" — cue players to rotate the hip like a gate swinging open, not just twisting the foot.

Drill 2: Controlling The Ball At Any Height (Partner)

This partner activity helps players learn to control the ball using their feet, thighs, chest, and head.

How to do it: Partners stand 5-8 yards apart. One player tosses the ball underhand to different heights (low for feet, medium for thigh, high for chest/head) while the other controls it with the appropriate body part and passes it back.

Reps: 2-3 minutes per player, then switch roles; repeat for 2 rounds.

Coaching cue: "Soft hands, soft first touch" — the controlling body part should cushion the ball rather than deflect it away.

Common mistake: Players tense up on contact, and the ball bounces too far away. Slow the toss down and shorten the distance until the first touch settles the ball within a step.

Drill 3: The Passing Circle (Group)

The passing circle works on passing and receiving while also forcing players to keep their heads up and communicate.

How to do it: 6-8 players form a circle with 1-2 balls. Players call the name of the teammate they're passing to before the ball arrives and check their shoulders before receiving.

Reps: 5-6 minutes with one ball, then add a second ball once players are comfortable, as shown in the second half of the video.

Coaching cue: "Call it early" — players should call the name before receiving, not after.

Common mistake: Players pass and then switch off mentally. Keep them moving and scanning even when the ball isn't coming to them.

Drill 4: Two-Touch Passing (Partner)

This partner drill is one of the best ways to improve two-touch passing. It maximizes the time players spend receiving and passing, both critical skills for all players.

How to do it: Partners stand 8-10 yards apart with a cone marking each spot. First touch sets the ball in the direction of the pass; second touch delivers it.

Reps: 3 sets of 1-2 minutes per pair. Adjust the cone distance to make it easier (closer) or more challenging (farther).

Coaching cue: "Touch to space, not to feet" — the first touch should move the ball toward where the next touch needs to send it.

Common mistake: Players take a big first touch that kills their own passing angle. Start with shorter distances until the two-touch rhythm is consistent.

Drill 5: Shielding Part 1 (Group)

This shielding drill helps players get comfortable using their bodies to protect the ball — one of the most essential abilities in soccer, and something all positions must master. It allows players to buy themselves the extra few seconds they need while in possession of the ball.

How to do it: Pair players up with one ball each. One player dribbles in a small grid while a defender pressures from behind; the dribbler uses their body (not their arms) to keep the ball shielded.

Reps: 4-5 rounds of 30-45 seconds, switching attacker/defender each round.

Coaching cue: "Ball far, body between" — keep the ball on the foot farthest from the defender, with your body as the barrier.

Common mistake: Players use their arms to hold off the defender, which draws a foul in a real game. Have them keep their arms low and wide for balance instead of pushing off.

Drill 6: Shielding Part 2 (Group)

In the next part of the shielding drill, the focus is on protecting the ball as it bounces — an added challenge that mirrors a common game scenario.

How to do it: Same setup as Drill 5, but a partner tosses the ball in to bounce, and the dribbler receives it under pressure, forcing them to shield while controlling an awkward bounce.

Reps: 4-5 rounds of 30-45 seconds per player.

Coaching cue: "Take the bounce down first" — settle the ball to the ground before trying to turn or shield.

Common mistake: Players try to shield before they've controlled the bounce, and lose the ball. Slow the toss down until control comes first, shielding second.

Drill 7: Rollouts (Individual/Group)

Rollouts help players improve their ball control with the sole of the foot, plus the inside. The sole is a very important part of dribbling and ball retention because, in certain situations, it allows for much tighter control of the ball than the inside or outside of the foot alone.

How to do it: Player rolls the ball side to side or forward-back using only the sole, then combines a sole roll with an inside-foot push to change direction.

Reps: 2 sets of 30-45 seconds, both feet.

Coaching cue: "Light touch, quiet foot" — the ball should barely leave the ground under the sole.

Common mistake: Players stomp down on the ball instead of rolling it, which stops all momentum. Cue them to keep the foot moving, not planting.

About the Author

Roy Wegerle is a former United States international soccer player who appeared for the national team forty-one times between 1992 and 1998. As a soccer player, Roy was a striker from 1984 until 1998. He notably played in the English Premier League for Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, and Coventry City, and in the Football League for Chelsea, Swindon Town, and Luton Town.

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