These soccer drills for ages 10-12 can also be used for kids younger and older, but this is a safe place to assess yourself. One of the most important things to remember even for ages 16+ is that “basic fundamentals” doesn’t mean for younger. Even the pros work on fundamentals. Meaning 1 touch passing as well as first touch drills on the ground and in the air.
One touch short passing with a partner
With this get 5 yards apart and start passing the ball only using 1 touch – unless you have to trap it. Sometimes the ball will come at you too fast or out wide and you’ll need to take 2-3 touches.
Most of your passes need to be with the inside of the feet – toes pointed up.
Each player has to recognize which passes are great, good, average or poor.
Short passing against a wall or rebounder
By far one of the best things a soccer player can do is find a wall and work on passing.
You can get 3 yards, 5 yards, 10 yards and more to work on different distances. The good thing about 3 yards away is you get lots of passes.
It’s good to mix up the distances because in a game you’ll find yourself having to make 7 – 15 yard passes often.
Work on both 1 touch and 2-3 touch… If you want some good ideas check out this post on wall passing drills.
Long passing and shooting using the laces
At this age, most players haven’t yet become consistent at long balls, but it’s important to practice.
Some players really struggle to strike with laces, but learn how to bend right away.
Make sure you know the different ways to kick a ball because most player are more natural at one or the other.
Aerial soccer drills for ages 10-12
Five things to practice:
- Volleys with inside of foot
- Volleys using laces
- Chest trap and running through the ball
- Trapping the ball different ways
- Kick against a wall or rebounder in the air so that it comes bouncing back to you different ways
Dribbling with different parts of the feet
There’s dribbling the way that’s natural for you and there’s learning how to control the ball ways that you’d never do, unless taught.
Using the inside is what most players are better at. The outside and sole are must know ways to stop, go and turn.
Watch video of me showing 2 college players some methods to improve skill, coordination and love for the ball.
One way to become better than most is by learning to roll the ball correctly…
Example: Rolling the ball in is better because you can do this in a stationary or moving situation in a game or scrimmage.
Below is a pretty basic, yet good way to practice in a small space. You don’t need training sticks, you can use cones, shoes or nothing at all.
Using your sole [bottom of foot] allows you to move to the side and then forward to get around or away from a defender.
The outside of the laces is also great and not as natural as using the inside…
To be the best you can be it’s important to learn and use all the surfaces of both feet.
Inside, outside, laces and the sole of the feet are your 4 main options.
Learning discipline and the importance of it
Discipline [noun]
dis-ci-pline
a: control gained by enforcing obedience or order
b: orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior
c: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
Whether kids or adults, those who learn discipline are those who have become well trained.
No matter if you have the best job or hobby in the world, there are going to be days you don’t want to show up. It’s human nature.
If you can put in the work on the days you don’t want to you are going to be a 2 percenter, therefore passing up competition.
Improve your skills faster by spending small amounts of time on the ball through the week.
Some kids will spend 3 minutes in the morning messing with the ball, 3 minutes in the afternoon and 3 minutes in the evening.
Spending a little time every day will turn into 60+ minutes per week. That’s the same amount of time players do private lessons with me.
Defending soccer drills for ages 10-12
This age group needs to be taught both defending 1v1 and as a unit…
Kids need to be taught how to jockey/stand up the attacker and not dive in. This helps slow the dribbler, therefore allowing your teammates to cover or steal the ball.
- Learn how to improve your 1v1 defensive stance and positioning – post.
- Watch how to step and cover – short video
Another way to improve your defense is with ball control. Up your defensive game by doing my courses 10 mins per day!
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