Change direction soccer drill

Use this soccer coaching drill session to get your players moving the ball in different directions to build an attack. Defenders must also be able to react to different angles of approach.

Soccer drill set up

Set up a 30x30 yard square, divided into quarters with two goals on each side of the square.

Soccer (football) drill to get players moving the ball in different directions

How to run the drill

The white teams play against the grey teams on horizontal half-pitches. To score, the ball must be passed along the ground between the poles at either end.
Switch so that the teams are playing new opponents 4v4 on the vertical half-pitches. Whenever the coach calls “switch” the players must quickly take up positions in relation to the new direction of play.

Develop the soccer drill

All of the players are now on the pitch and play 8v8 with the centre lines taken out. Each team is given four gates to score in. The coach continuously passes balls onto the crowded pitch and the players must try to open out and make a good, grounded pass through one of their gates to score.

Tony Carr is the Academy Director of West Ham United in the English Premier League and the editor of the Smart Sessions soccer coaching plans - they come in advanced and core versions. You can get these sessions dropping into your inbox every week by clicking here.

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