Work on individual technique with passing, first touch, dribbling, skills, finishing, heading and crossing drills. Each page details the technical action, the most common mistakes and how to progress towards situations with opposition.
16 drills
6 drills
Y-shaped passing sequence: support, lay-off to the third man and a pass into space to finish against the keeper. A pre-season classic for passing, movement and timing.
Crosses from both wings with two attackers hitting the near and far posts and one defender trying to clear. Works the timing of runs into the box, the jump and the direction of the header.
Two adjacent 10x10 m squares. Five possession players against two pressers; after eight passes the ball is switched to the other square and the two pressers must sprint across. Works possession under pressure and the transition after losing the ball.
Activation circuit in two parallel stations: agility ladder, low hurdle jumps and a slalom between poles, finishing with a wall pass and a pass to the next team-mate.
Chasing game where everyone dribbles a ball: two taggers in bibs try to touch the others, who escape by dribbling away. The most fun way to start with young kids.
Dribbling circuit through a line of cones with changes of direction and a final sprint. Works ball control with both feet, head up and change of pace.
In grassroots football (ages 6 to 12) technique comes first: lots of touches, repetitions and games. From U15 onwards technical drills are integrated into tactical situations with opposition.
Add a passive defender, limit touches, demand a finish within a time limit or turn the passing pattern into a team competition. The progressions on each page give concrete ideas.