AUSTRALIA · FOOTBALL

For the love of a kick

LESS SCROLL.
MORE BALL.

Simple football drills for the backyard or local park. Grab a ball, bring a mate, and make a little time for the game.

Find your next drill
NO FANCY GEAR REQUIREDSOLO OR WITH A MATEMETRIC SETUPSYOUR PACE. YOUR GAME.

Three drills. Keep it simple.

Football means the round-ball game here.

01Ball control

Own the small space.

Practise moving the ball with short touches, changing direction without letting it get away.

5 MINUTESSOLO

Set up: One ball and four markers in a 3 × 3 m square.

How to practise
  1. Dribble around the square at a comfortable pace, keeping the ball within one step.
  2. Use both feet. Mix inside-foot touches with gentle outside-foot touches.
  3. At each marker, slow down and turn into a new direction.
  4. Work for 45 seconds, then take a 15-second break. Repeat five times.

Focus on a clean touch before adding speed.

02Passing

Find the little gap.

A small target makes a simple passing session more interesting. Keep the ball along the ground.

5 MINUTESWITH A MATE

Set up: Two markers 1 m apart. Stand on opposite sides, about 4 m from the gate.

How to practise
  1. Take one touch to settle the ball, then pass through the gate to your partner.
  2. Use the inside of your foot and aim for the middle of the gap.
  3. Alternate feet after every five passes.
  4. After ten passes each, pause and reset. Continue at an easy pace for five minutes.

Start closer together if the gate feels too tricky.

03First touch

Make the next move.

Receive a gentle pass and guide your first touch towards the space you want to use next.

5 MINUTESWITH A MATE

Set up: Stand 4 m apart. Place a marker 1 m to either side of the receiving player.

How to practise
  1. Your partner plays a gentle pass along the ground.
  2. Guide the ball towards one side marker with your first touch.
  3. Pass back with your second or third touch, then return to the middle.
  4. Alternate left and right. Swap roles after one minute, taking a short break between turns.

A softer first touch gives you more time for the return pass.

A little structure

Your next
20 minutes.

A relaxed practice plan you can repeat with a mate. Adjust the pace and take extra breaks whenever you need.

  1. 00–05 MINEasy movement and gentle touches to warm up.
  2. 05–10 MINClose control in your small square.
  3. 10–15 MINPassing through the marker gate.
  4. 15–20 MINFirst-touch practice, swapping roles.

Keep your kit light.

A football, water and a few cones are plenty. Use flat markers if you have them, and choose a clear, level space with room around it.

Make it your game.

Move the markers closer, widen the gate or slow the passes. The aim is a session you enjoy enough to come back to. Start with close control if you’re practising alone.