Getting really good at soccer starts with ball control. If you find yourself losing possession, tripping over your feet, or struggling to keep the ball close when dribbling, you’re not alone. Most players have been there at one point. The good news? Focusing your practice sessions on the right drills makes a noticeable difference.
Ball control in soccer isn’t just about fancy tricks. It’s about keeping the ball where you want it, whether you’re running, passing, or receiving under pressure. Adding a handful of targeted ball control drills into your routine helps you improve touch, confidence, and overall game flow.
This guide covers 10 soccer drills I use (and highly recommend) to step up your ball control skills, along with coaching tips and small tweaks to make each drill more effective.
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1. Foundation Touches: Building Your Ball Control Basics
Starting with some basic touches lays a strong foundation for every other skill out there. The main idea is to get really comfortable with the ball close to your feet, focusing on using different parts of your foot for better control.
- Toe Taps: Tap the top of the ball quickly, alternating feet. Work up to 100 taps without losing your balance or rhythm.
- InsideOutside Touches: Use the inside and then the outside of your foot to gently push the ball from side to side as you move forward.
- Rolling Sole: Roll the ball forward and backward under your foot, using the sole. Start slow, focusing on smooth movement, then pick up your speed.
Once you feel confident, increase the tempo to challenge yourself further. Set a timer and see how many reps you can do in just 30 seconds.
2. Cone Weaves: Mastering Dribbling Control
Dribbling through cones is a classic drill; for a good reason, it’s super useful for improving precise touches and quick shifting directions.
How to Do It:
- Set up cones about one meter apart in a straight line.
- Dribble through the cones, using only your right foot, then switch over to your left.
- Try to keep the ball as close as possible, using gentle, controlled touches each time.
For a fun twist, try dribbling backwards through the cones, or add a time limit to add some competition and improve your speed and focus. Use different surfaces of your foot for added challenge. Over time, you’ll notice more fluid movement and sharper changes in direction.
3. Wall Passes: Improving First Touch and Passing
Using a wall, rebounder, or any sturdy surface lets you practice your passing and receiving. These two areas absolutely shape your ball control, especially during fast-paced play.
- Stand three to five meters back from a wall and pass the ball with the inside of your foot.
- Receive it by cushioning the ball and keeping your touch soft, aiming to keep the ball close to your feet.
- Practice switching to your weaker foot, and alternate between one-touch and two-touch passes as you go.
Aiming for a small target spot on the wall increases your accuracy and really helps you handle pressure situations where you have little time to react. Add in volleys or work on passing at different angles for even more challenge.
4. 1v1 Shielding: Holding Off Defenders
Shielding the ball is all about keeping possession when defenders are right on top of you. Practicing solo or with a teammate, focus on using your body for effective protection.
- Keep your body between the ball and an imaginary (or real) defender to block their access.
- Use the inside of your foot to move the ball in tight little circles and adjust your stance for balance.
- If you’ve got a partner, have them nudge or attempt to win the ball while you shield and turn away.
This drill is vital for keeping possession during games, especially in tight spaces near the sideline or in the crowded midfield. By mastering this under pressure, you’ll control the game’s pace more smoothly.
5. TicToc Drill: Fast Feet and Coordination
The tictoc (also called “bell touches”) is a super simple but highly effective drill for boosting foot coordination and quickness:
- Put the ball between both feet.
- Lightly tap the ball back and forth using the inside of each foot, focusing on speed and keeping your balance.
- Start slow, then speed up while making sure you keep the ball under control at all times.
Try to go for a full 60 seconds and count your touches. Improving this drill not only gets your feet moving faster, but instantly gives a boost to your confidence during fast-paced plays or when under pressure from defenders.
6. Juggling: Developing a Softer Touch
Juggling isn’t just for nextlevel cool tricks you see in freestyling videos. Regular juggling practice teaches you how to adjust and soften your touch, which comes in clutch for trapping hard passes and making those quick passes stick.
How to Start:
- If you’re brand new, start with one bounce between touches. As you improve, try for consecutive touches without the ball touching the ground.
- Switch between your left foot, right foot, thighs, and even your head (safely and carefully).
- Keep track of your best streak to challenge yourself each week.
Be patient and stick with it—juggling is a rewarding way to build confidence, coordination, and improve your concentration on the field.
7. Ball Mastery Grid: Multidirectional Movement
Set up a four-cone grid, about three meters apart, to work on controlling the ball in every direction you may need to go in a match.
- Dribble from one cone to the next, switching up the foot surface you use each run (inside, outside, sole, or laces).
- Try sharp turns around each cone—use dragbacks, stepovers, or quick pivots to switch up directions on the fly.
- Focus on staying light on your toes and keeping your head up to stay aware of the field.
This drill preps you for those unpredictable moments in real matches when you need to escape tight defensive pressure or dribble out of a crowd efficiently.
8. Trap & Turn Under Pressure: Fast Ball Recovery
Getting comfortable receiving passes and quickly turning is a massive plus during games where split-second moves matter.
- Have a partner or use a wall to play a solid pass toward you.
- Trap the ball and immediately turn about 180 degrees, using the inside or outside of your foot in one swift motion.
- Accelerate a few quick steps out of the turn as you would in a match to get free of opponents.
You can set up cones to act as imaginary defenders so you have to react quickly after your turn. Over time, this builds muscle memory for receiving under pressure and improving your on-field awareness.
9. Ladder & Ball Combo: Improving Footwork and Control
Combining agility ladders with ball work ramps up your coordination and ball feel at the same time as you get used to real match situations.
- Put an agility ladder on the ground right in front of you.
- Dribble the ball forward, weaving it through the rungs while performing basic ladder steps like one-two movements or side shuffles.
- Keep your eyes darting between the ball and the field, practicing awareness as well as control.
This drill boosts your speed, balance, and nimbleness—three things you’ll rely on in every game situation, whether you’re attacking or defending.
10. SmallSided Possession Games: Applying Your Skills
Wrapping up your practice session with a smallsided possession game packs a lot of skillbuilding into one highenergy activity.
- Play 3v3 or 4v4, using small goals or even end zones if you don’t have goals handy.
- Try to use the fewest touches possible before passing. This encourages quick movement and sharp decision making.
- Keep the emphasis on communication, quick thinking, and creative control as you play.
Not only do these games make things competitive and fun, but they put all your hard work from previous drills into a game environment, helping you transfer your growing skills and confidence directly onto the field. You’ll notice your ability to think and react quickly improving week after week.
Bringing It All Together
Sticking with targeted practice and specific ball control drills can make a world of difference in your soccer abilities. Start by picking a few drills from this guide each week, and aim to gradually ramp up the challenge as you feel more confident. Training this way keeps sessions fun, builds good habits, and lets you spot your own progress more easily. Experiment with mixing up your routine too—trying new drills or adding in your favorite moves keeps things exciting. Before long, you’ll find your first touch, composure, and game performance steadily leveling up. Soccer is about enjoying every moment as much as building your skills, so keep challenging yourself and celebrating every improvement you spot along the way.