Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, with over 3.5 billion fans worldwide. The average player must practice hard to improve their game, but even serious ballers can’t always be on the field. So, stay sharp with some fun soccer drills that are perfect for people who live in small spaces.
5 Fun Soccer Drills to Boost Your Skills
You probably learned the following drills at your very first practice, but they never stop being essential. Best of all, you can do them with a partner or turn them into a game among friends (where you win, of course):
Juggling
Juggling is one of the most basic soccer drills. You simply move the ball back and forth between your feet while controlling its speed and direction. This simple exercise can drastically improve your coordination. Also, it can be performed in extremely small spaces.
PRO TIP: Practicing here also enhances the quality of your first touch, volleys, and trapping skills.
Shielding
Shielding is when you keep an opponent from getting the ball by rolling your foot over the top of it. Maintaining balance while doing this can be tricky, so don’t skip practice. At some point, you should be able to stop the ball with your other foot.
PRO TIP: Practice shielding from several different directions for maximum benefit.
Triangles
This is where your footwork gets the biggest boost. Simply tap the ball over to one side and then use your other foot to tap it forward. Go back and forth while timing yourself or play keep-away with an opponent.
PRO TIP: Be sure to switch to your non-dominant foot every now and then for optimal body balance.
Reverse triangles
These are just a standard soccer triangle with a twist. You still switch the ball from one side to another in a triangle pattern, only this time you do it backward. Here, practice and gameplay can take on a whole new level of difficulty and fun.
PRO TIP: Try to stay on your toes at all times because standing on your heels will slow you down.
Touch-cones
Set up a short line of cones. Then, tap the ball with your foot to make it curve around each one. Play with a partner by turning it into a race. Or, better yet, see who can get from one side to the other without touching a single boundary.
PRO TIP: Use varied spacing between cones to enhance your experience and make it more challenging.
Professional players practice fun soccer drills like these for up to six hours a day, five days a week. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend that much time to improve your skills. And even if you live in a small space with limited access to the field, you can still fix your footwork while having a good time.
The Takeaway
You can get better at soccer regardless of your exposure to the grass, and it’s done by practicing a few fun soccer drills in the comfort of your own home.
