Give each child room around a stationary ball. Toe taps are light touches, with pauses whenever balance is lost. Keep body weight off the top of the ball.
Introduce a ready partner
Use a wide passing gate and a short distance. Ask the receiver to face the ball before the pass. Let players stop the ball before returning it.
01
Toe taps
Alternate light touches on top of a stationary ball without putting body weight on it.
Group: 2–16 players · 1 adult per group
Equipment: 1 appropriate practice ball per player Time: 5–10 minutes
Set up: Give each player a ball and a personal space at least two arm-lengths from the next player, spread across the coach’s view. Everyone works in their own area; no line or odd-player rotation is needed. Pause after short attempts to demonstrate or rest. Begin with both feet on the ground and the ball just in front.
Lift one foot, touch the top of the ball lightly with the sole near the toes, then return that foot to the ground.
Repeat with the other foot. Keep the ball nearly still and keep your weight over the supporting foot.
Try a short alternating sequence, pause and reset. If the ball escapes, stop nearby players before collecting it.
Coach’s cue: Light touch on top. Put your foot back on the ground.
Make it easier, add a challenge, and safety
Easier: Use one foot at a time with a full pause, or keep both feet on the ground and use inside-foot touches instead.
Harder: Link several alternating touches at a controlled rhythm, then glance toward a coach’s signal. Do not jump or race.
Keep it safe: Never stand on or transfer body weight onto the ball. Keep the ball on the ground and stop if balance is uncertain. Leave room for a rolling ball; no aerial kicks, tackling or contact. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. Rest or choose the easier option whenever control deteriorates.
02
Foundation touches (inside-foot taps)
Move the ball gently from one inside foot to the other while staying balanced.
Group: 2–16 players · 1 adult per group
Equipment: 1 appropriate practice ball per player Time: 5–10 minutes
Set up: Give each player a ball and a personal space at least two arm-lengths from the next player, spread across the coach’s view. Everyone works in their own area; no line or odd-player rotation is needed. Pause after short attempts to demonstrate or rest. Set the ball between the feet with room for a small side-to-side movement.
Use the inside of one foot to nudge the ball toward the other foot.
Receive softly with the other inside foot and nudge it back, keeping touches small.
Pause after a short sequence, then try again with the shoulders relaxed and the ball within easy reach.
Coach’s cue: Soft touches between your feet. Small movement, steady balance.
Make it easier, add a challenge, and safety
Easier: Stop the ball completely between touches and reset both feet.
Harder: After several controlled touches, take a small forward step and continue; keep the head free to glance up.
Keep it safe: Use a clear level surface and stop all nearby activity before retrieving a loose ball. Keep separate active and waiting areas. Do not add contact, speed contests or a forced repetition target. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. Rest or choose the easier option whenever control deteriorates.
03
Gate passing
Aim a controllable pass and prepare to receive.
Group: 2–12 players · 1 adult per group
Equipment: 1 ball per pair available; groups of 3 or more share one active ball and leave spares outside the area; Optional 2 flat markers per pair; existing clear field markings may replace these Time: 5–8 minutes
Set up: Partners stand 4–6 yards apart with a two-yard window halfway between. Use low flat markers or clear existing field markings for the window; do not use shoes or raised objects. An odd player forms a trio and changes with the passer after every pass. Use existing clear field markings for all boundaries and targets if flat markers are unavailable; choose another activity if the described layout cannot be made visible.
Check that the receiver is ready.
Pass along the ground through the window using the inside of the foot.
The receiver cushions the ball, moves it into a comfortable spot and returns it.
After a minute, agree whether to move closer or farther apart.
Coach’s cue: Point the standing foot toward the window. Make the pass easy for your teammate to reach.
Make it easier, add a challenge, and safety
Easier: Widen the window and shorten the distance.
Harder: For players already receiving under control, the receiver names left or right before the pass and takes the first touch that way, then returns through the window in two comfortable touches. Alternate the receiving foot when ready; compare which first touch opens the return lane. Widen the window again if accuracy falls.
Keep it safe: Leave gaps between lanes; do not use hard or raised objects as targets. Keep the ball on the ground; no heading or body contact. Use a clear, level area and pause for water or discomfort as needed. Leave spare balls and personal equipment outside all movement and shooting paths. For mixed ages, form pairs by a comfortable passing distance and pace, not age alone. Use the easier entry point first; a player may stay there while another uses the optional progression. No contact or forced speed.
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Recorded with a sample team and demonstration responses. Review activities and plans for your players before using them.
Questions coaches ask
Do I need goals?
These activities use balls and visible spaces or gates. Goals are not required.
Should I use the same distance for every pair?
No. Start close enough for a controlled ground pass, then adjust each pair as they become comfortable.
Where can I build a practice for my team?
Try the free practice generator for soccer. It uses 10 starter activities per sport. Coach adds the full drill library, saved and editable plans, team calendars and AI coaching help.