7 Best Soccer Footwork Drills for Kids
Soccer footwork drills for kids are the foundation of becoming a better player. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to improve their skills, these 7 drills will help them develop quick feet, better control, and more confidence on the ball.
With just a few minutes a day, your child can start developing the skills they need to become a stronger, more agile player.
Let’s dive in.
Why Soccer Footwork Drills Matter for Kids
Good footwork helps young players:
- Control the ball better
- Move faster with the ball
- Beat defenders in 1v1 situations
- Feel more confident during games
- Have more fun playing soccer
The earlier kids start practicing footwork, the better they’ll be as they grow. These drills work for kids ages 6-14, from beginners to more experienced players
1. Toe Taps (Beginner – Ages 6+)
What it is: The simplest footwork drill. Kids tap the top of the ball with the bottom of their feet as fast as they can.
How to do it:
- Place the ball in front of you
- Tap the top of the ball with your right foot
- Quickly switch to your left foot
- Keep alternating feet as fast as possible
- Stay on your toes (don’t flat-foot it)
Why it helps: This drill teaches kids to stay light on their feet and improves their rhythm with the ball. It’s also a great warm-up before games or practice.
How long: Start with 30 seconds, rest, then repeat 3 times. As they get better, go for 60 seconds.
Pro tip: See how many taps you can make in 30 seconds then record it and keep practicing until you beat your record!
2. Inside-Outside Touches (Beginner – Ages 7+)
What it is: Kids touch the ball with the inside of their foot, then quickly touch it with the outside of the same foot.
How to do it:
- Start with the ball at your feet
- Touch the ball with the inside of your right foot
- Immediately touch it back with the outside of your right foot
- Do this 10 times with your right foot
- Switch to your left foot and repeat
Why it helps: This is one of the most important soccer footwork drills for kids because it teaches them to use both the inside and outside of their feet. This skill is crucial for dribbling past defenders.
How long: 3 sets of 10 touches per foot
Pro tip: Once they’ve got it, have them move forward while doing the inside-outside touches. This makes it more game-like.
3. Cone Weave (Intermediate – Ages 8+)
What it is: Kids dribble the ball through a line of cones (or water bottles, shoes, anything works) using small touches.
How to do it:
- Set up 5-6 cones in a straight line, about 2 feet apart
- Dribble through the cones using the inside and outside of both feet
- Keep the ball close to your feet
- Go slow at first, then speed up as you get better
Why it helps: This drill improves ball control, teaches kids to keep their head up, and gets them comfortable changing direction quickly.
How long: Go through the cones 5 times, rest, then repeat
Pro tip: Time them! Kids love trying to beat their own record. Just make sure they don’t rush and lose control of the ball.
4. Step-Overs (Intermediate – Ages 9+)
What it is: A classic soccer move where you fake going one direction, then go the other way.
How to do it:
- Start with the ball at your feet
- Take your right foot and swing it OVER the ball (like you’re going to kick it, but don’t)
- Immediately push the ball away with the OUTSIDE of your left foot
- Practice this slowly at first, while starting out, practicing this while staying still can be easier.
- Then try it while moving forward
Why it helps: Step-overs are great for tricking defenders. Once kids master this, they’ll be much harder to guard in games.
How long: Practice 10 step-overs with each foot, 3 sets
Pro tip: Encourage kids to sell the fake! The bigger the motion over the ball, the more believable it is.
5. The L-Drill (Intermediate – Ages 8+)
What it is: Kids pull the ball back with the bottom of their foot, then push it to the side, creating an “L” shape.
How to do it:
- Start with the ball in front of you
- Put your right foot on TOP of the ball
- Pull it back toward you
- As soon as it goes behind your other foot , use the INSIDE of your right foot to push it to the LEFT
- This creates an L-shape movement
- Practice with both feet
Why it helps: The L-drill is perfect for escaping pressure from defenders. It teaches kids to change direction quickly and protect the ball.
How long: 10 L-drills with each foot, 3 sets
Pro tip: Add a cone as a “defender” – kids pull the ball back to avoid the cone, then push it to the side.
6. Side-to-Side Hops (Beginner – Ages 6+)
What it is: Kids hop side to side over the cone, which improves their balance and coordination.
How to do it:
- Stand next to the cone
- Hop over the cone to the other side
- Hop back over
- Keep hopping side to side as fast as possible
- Stay light on your feet
Why it helps: This drill builds leg strength, improves balance, and helps kids develop quick feet without even touching the ball.
How long: 30 seconds of hopping, rest, repeat 3 times
Pro tip: Once they master side-to-side, try hopping forward and backward over the cone,It’s harder but really improves coordination.
7. The Scissors (Advanced – Ages 10+)
What it is: Similar to step-overs, but you swing your foot around the FRONT of the ball instead of over the top.
How to do it:
- Start with the ball at your feet
- Swing your right foot around the FRONT of the ball (like you’re drawing a circle)
- Don’t touch the ball
- As soon as your foot lands, push the ball away with the OUTSIDE of your LEFT foot
- Practice slowly, then speed up
Why it helps: The scissors is one of the flashiest moves in soccer. It confuses defenders and creates space. Kids who master this will stand out on the field.
How long: 10 scissors with each foot, 3 sets
Pro tip: Watch videos of professional players doing scissors (Ronaldo, Neymar). Kids love copying their heroes.
How to Practice These Soccer Footwork Drills for Kids
Create a routine: Don’t try to do all 7 drills in one session. That’s too much for most kids.
20-minute practice session:
- 5 minutes: Toe Taps (warm-up)
- 5 minutes: Inside-Outside Touches
- 5 minutes: Cone Weave
- 5 minutes: L-Drill
Rotate through different drills each practice session to keep it fun and fresh.
Make it fun:
- Time them and track improvements
- Create competitions (who can do the most toe taps?)
- Let them choose which drill to do
- Play music while they practice
- Reward progress (not perfection)
Be patient: Kids develop at different speeds. Some will pick up these drills quickly, others need more time. That’s totally normal.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is improvement and having fun.
Common Mistakes Parents Should Watch For
1. Looking down at the ball too much Encourage kids to glance at the ball, then look up. This helps them see the field during games.
2. Going too fast too soon It’s better to do the drill slowly and correctly than fast and sloppy. Speed comes with practice.
3. Only using their strong foot Make sure kids practice with BOTH feet, even if one feels awkward. Both-footed players are much more valuable.
4. Practicing when tired Quality over quantity. 15 minutes of focused practice is better than 45 minutes of unfocused, tired practice.
5. Not having fun If your kid isn’t enjoying practice, switch it up. Try different drills, make it a game, practice with friends.
When Will Kids See Results?
Week 1-2: They’ll feel awkward and slow. That’s normal. Keep encouraging them.
Week 3-4: They’ll start getting comfortable with the movements. You’ll notice smoother touches.
Week 5-8: Real improvement shows up. They’ll be faster, more confident, and their footwork will look much better.
3+ months: If they practice these soccer footwork drills for kids consistently (3-4 times per week), you’ll see a huge difference in their game. Better ball control, quicker movements, more confidence.
The key is consistency. 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times per week, will make a massive difference.
Final Tips for Parents
Keep it positive: Focus on effort, not results. “Great job practicing today!” is better than “You’re still not doing it right.”
Practice with them: Kids love when parents join in. You don’t have to be good at soccer – just being there and trying makes it fun for them.
Don’t compare: Every kid develops differently. Comparing them to teammates or siblings kills motivation.
Celebrate small wins: “You did 10 more toe taps than last week!” or “Your inside-outside touches are so much smoother!”
Make it their choice: Forced practice creates resentment. Encourage practice, but let them have ownership over when and how long.
Conclusion
These 7 soccer footwork drills for kids are simple, effective, and fun. They don’t require expensive equipment or a huge field – just a ball, some space, and a willingness to practice.
Start with the beginner drills (toe taps, inside-outside touches) and work up to the advanced ones (scissors, step-overs) as your child gets more comfortable.
Remember: The goal is progress, not perfection. Even 15 minutes of practice 3 times a week will make a huge difference in your child’s game.
Pick one drill from this list. Practice it for 10 minutes today. Your child’s future self (and their coach) will thank you.
Have fun out there!
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Take Care – Chun Lee