Soccer drills might seem like something you only do with your team, under the whistle of a coach, but some of the most important progress happens when no one else is around.
You love soccer. We get it.
The roar of the crowd (even if it’s just the one in your head), the thrill of a perfectly timed tackle, the sheer joy of the ball hitting the back of the net. It’s the beautiful game, and at its heart, it’s a team sport. You rely on your teammates, they rely on you.
Passes connect, defences organise, attacks flow – it’s a flow of coordinated effort.
The truth is, the greatest players in the world didn’t get there just by showing up for team practice. They spent countless hours alone, honing their craft, sculpting their skills, and building a relationship with the ball that no team setting can fully replicate.
While others might be resting, you have the power to take control of your development, to add layers to your game, and to build an unshakeable confidence that will shine when it matters most.
Practicing soccer alone is not just possible; it’s essential if you’re serious about reaching your potential. It’s your time to experiment, to fail without judgment, and to repeat actions until they become second nature.
See it as a way to sharpen your skills.
Soccer Drills You Can Do On the Pitch
If you’ve got access to a pitch, even for 30 minutes, take advantage. The space and goalposts give you room to test and train with real-game intensity.
When you’re practicing in an open field, you get that true feel of the game -the bounce, the angles, the pressure.
Here are four high-impact drills to make the most of that space:
1. Side Shooting
You know those tough angles near the edge of the penalty box? The ones where you have to bend it just right to beat the keeper? That’s what side shooting is all about.
How to do it:
Set the ball just outside the box on either flank. Now aim for the far post, trying to curl the ball in with the inside of your foot. Practice from both the left and right sides and at varying distances.
Focus:
- Ball placement over power
- Curl and follow-through
- Hitting the “side netting” area
This drill is not just for strikers. Wingers, attacking mids, even fullbacks need this in their toolkit. And the best part is you don’t need a goalie to know if you’re doing it right, just listen for that satisfying net swoosh.
2. One-Touch Shooting
Games move fast, and sometimes you get one chance to shoot. That’s where one-touch shooting comes in.
How to do it:
You’ll need something to rebound the ball, like a wall, a rebounder net, or even a heavy object like a bench. Pass the ball against it, let it come back, and hit it first time toward the goal.
Add variety by:
- Shooting with both feet
- Aiming for different zones of the net
- Adding movement before each shot
One-touch finishing is a real difference-maker. It builds composure under pressure and trains you to get shots off quicker, even in tight spaces.
3. Penalty Kicks
Every player has dreamed of stepping up to take the game-winning penalty. Practicing them alone can turn that dream into confidence.
How to do it:
Pick your spot. Hit it again. And again. Mix it up between top corners, low and hard, or panenka-style chips if you’re feeling bold.
Pro tip:
Try visualizing match scenarios. Add a countdown, imagine a crowd, or even record yourself to watch your technique.
Penalties are mental as much as they are physical. The more you rehearse the feeling, the less pressure you’ll feel when it’s real.
4. 25’s Dribbling Drill
This one’s great for working on close control and getting your heart rate up.
Set up:
Place cones (or any markers) about 5 yards apart in a straight line, 25 yards in total. Dribble through them using only the inside of your feet on one run, then use the outside on the way back. Keep it controlled but quick.
Focus on:
- Sharp, tight touches
- Keeping your head up
- Changing pace between cones
Not only are you working on technique, but your endurance will get a serious boost too. It’s a perfect blend of skill and fitness.
SEE ALSO | Best Indoor Workouts for Youth Soccer Players
Drills You Can Do Anywhere
No pitch? No problem.
You don’t need a stadium to get better at soccer. Your backyard, driveway, garage, or even a quiet sidewalk can be your training ground. These solo drills are all about control, creativity, and consistency.
Let’s look at the best ones:
1. Wall Passes
Sometimes, the simplest drills are the most powerful. Passing against a wall is one of the most effective solo training habits you can build.
What to do:
Kick the ball against the wall and control the return. Start with one-touch passes. Then two-touch. Then mix in traps, turns, and volleys.
Work on:
- Left and right foot accuracy
- Receiving the ball on the half-turn
- First-touch control
This drill helps replicate real match situations where you’re passing and receiving under pressure. It’s also fantastic for tight-space control.
2. Triangle Cone Drill
You don’t need a huge yard to pull this off, just a small space and three cones.
Setup:
Arrange the cones in a triangle, roughly 3–5 feet apart. Dribble the ball in and around the cones in a tight pattern, cutting sharply at each point.
Key focuses:
- Quick, small touches
- Sharp turns using different parts of your foot
- Smooth, controlled direction changes
This drill sharpens your close control and balance, especially in tight areas, just like when you’re trying to escape defenders in midfield.
SEE ALSO | Tips and Drills to Improve Heading Skills in Soccer
3. Header Practice
If you’re serious about improving your all-around game, you can’t ignore improving your heading skills. The good news is, you don’t need crosses flying in at 40 mph to work on it.
Try this:
- Toss the ball up and practice heading it softly back up
- Challenge yourself to do 5–10 headers in a row
- Use a soft ball indoors if you’re worried about damage
Bonus variation:
Head the ball against a wall and control the rebound, great for reflexes and timing.
When you’re confident in your heading, you’ll be more likely to attack the ball instead of shying away from it, especially on corners or defensive clearances.
4. Agility Ladder/Obstacle Work
Soccer is played with your brain, but your feet get you there. And the quicker they are, the better.
Don’t have an agility ladder?
Use cones, shoes, sticks anything to make a path. Create patterns like:
- In-and-outs
- Lateral shuffles
- Zig-zags and quick cuts
Work on:
- Quick direction changes
- Low, explosive movement
- Keeping your center of gravity balanced
This kind of movement work translates directly to better defending, sharper attacking runs, and overall fitness. It’s perfect for any player, in any position.
SEE ALSO | How to Improve Your Soccer Stamina: Drills and Tips That Work
Why Training Alone Is Good
Team practice is vital. It builds chemistry, tactical understanding, and collective execution. But individual practice is where you polish your relationship with the ball, where you refine the fundamental techniques that underpin everything you do on the field.
When you practice alone, you remove the immediate pressure of defenders, teammates, and the flow of the game.
This allows you to isolate specific skills and work on them with focused attention. You can repeat an action hundreds of times, building muscle memory and comfort that is difficult to achieve in a fast-paced team session.
This solitary dedication also builds confidence.
When you’ve successfully executed a move, a pass, or a shot countless times in practice, you’ll have the courage to attempt it in a game. You won’t be second-guessing your abilities when the pressure is on because you’ve already put in the reps.
You’ve built a foundation of skill that you can trust.
Think about the little things: the weight of a pass against a wall, the angle of your foot for a side shot, the touch needed to keep the ball glued to your foot in the triangle drill.
These small details make a massive difference in a sport where fractions of a second and inches of space can decide the outcome. Solo practice is where you obsess over these details.
Even professional players, who train collectively almost every day, spend extra time alone or in small groups working on specific skills.
They know that maintaining sharpness and continually refining their technique is crucial to staying at the top level.
So, don’t underestimate the power of your solo sessions. They are not a replacement for team play, but a powerful complement.
SEE ALSO | Easy Ways to Practice Soccer at Home and Improve Your Skills
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