Five-year-olds don’t have the foot strength to pass far. This drill teaches them to push the ball to a target that’s close and visible. Two cones are easy to see and hit.
What you need: 1 soccer ball, 2 cones.
Setup: Place 2 cones 10 feet apart. Child stands at one cone with the ball.
How to run it:
- Child kicks the ball from one cone toward the other using the inside of their foot.
- Ball rolls to the other cone and stops near it.
- They chase after the ball and kick it back.
- 10 kicks total. 5 in each direction.
- Rest. Do it again.
What to watch: Are they using the inside of their foot or kicking with their toe? Inside of the foot is softer and easier to control.
If they’re struggling: Move the cones 5 feet closer. Use a softer ball.
If they’ve got it: Move the cones to 12 feet apart. Have them try to make the ball stop right at the cone.