Passing is a fundamental skill in soccer. Whether you’re playing in the midfield, defense, or even when striking, mastering passing techniques and drills is key to maintaining possession, controlling the game, and creating scoring opportunities. In this article, we outline some of the best passing drills for soccer that develop precision, ball control, and technique.
When progressing from beginner to more advanced soccer drills, it’s important to introduce fundamental skills first, then build on these skills with increasingly complex scenarios. The drills should target different aspects of technique, control, and decision-making, gradually enhancing a player’s understanding and execution of the game.
Basic Inside of the Foot Drill
Passing the ball using the inside of the foot.
How to do the drill
To begin the inside of the foot drill, stand 10-15 yards apart from your partner, ensuring both of you are in a relaxed stance with knees slightly bent.
A second pair lines up 10-15 yards to the side of you, so that the 4 of you make a square formation. One side acts as the “feeders” who are simply staying in place feeding you the ball. The other side executes the pass and then shuffles across eachother to switch sides and receive a pass from the other side.
Both pairs start by passing the ball using the inside of your foot, which offers more control and accuracy.
Focus on hitting your partner’s feet directly. When receiving the ball, trap it with the inside of your foot by cushioning the ball’s impact, keeping it close and under control. This control is key to maintaining possession and avoiding turnovers during a game.
After trapping, look up, locate your partner, and return the pass using the same technique.
Shuffle to the other side at the same time as your teammate so that you cross eachother without bumping into one another and repeat the pass
Continue until the coach blows the whistle
Returning a pass.
Once you’re comfortable, progress to one-touch passing. In this variation, you skip the trapping step and instead redirect the ball immediately using the inside of your foot. This increases the speed of play, forcing you to make quicker decisions and improve your ball control under pressure.
Sole of the Foot Drill
In this passing drill for soccer, players focus on trapping and controlling the ball using the sole of their foot, a technique often necessary in wet or slippery conditions.
Trapping and controlling the ball using the sole of the foot.
How to do the drill
As before, position yourself about 10-15 yards from your partner. A second pair lines up 10-15 yards to the side of you, so that the 4 of you make a square formation. One side acts as the “feeders” who are simply staying in place feeding you the ball. The other side executes the pass and then shuffles across eachother to switch sides and receive a pass from the other side.
When the ball is passed to you, use the sole of your foot to stop it by stepping on the ball gently.
This technique locks the ball into place, preventing it from rolling away and giving you more time to make your next move. Once the ball is under control, roll it slightly in front of you, then pass it back to your partner using the inside of your foot.
Continue moving left or right between passes to stay agile and simulate game-like movement. This passing drill helps develop a smoother transition from trapping to passing, which is especially useful when playing in quick-paced, tight spaces.
Returning a pass.
For an additional challenge, try reducing the time between trapping and passing, improving your ability to handle fast, unexpected passes under pressure, much like in a real match.
Quad and Laces Drill
The quad and laces trap soccer passing drill helps improve your ability to control high balls using your quad (thigh) or laces, two key techniques for handling passes that arrive in the air.
Absorbing the impact of a ball using quads.
How to do the drill
Begin by standing 10-15 yards from your partner, who will serve a high ball toward you. This is the same setup as the previous 2 drills above.
As the ball approaches, raise your quad to meet it and absorb the impact.
Let the ball drop softly using your laces for control as it lands to the ground. Curl your toes slightly upward, trapping the ball with a controlled touch that keeps it close.
The goal here is to cushion the ball’s fall without allowing it to bounce too far away. This is especially helpful when dealing with high balls from goal kicks or long passes.
After settling the ball, pass it back using the inside of your foot. Shuffle across to the other side and repeat.
Controlling the ball using laces.
Returning a pass.
This drill enhances your ability to adapt to different ball heights and types of delivery, helping you keep the ball under control in various game situations.
To watch any of these drills in action, and better understand their setup, check out my full video course titled “Ball Control” on the ISnation app.
Chest Trap and Pass Drill
This soccer passing drill focuses on using your chest to control high passes, a skill that’s often required in competitive matches.
How to do the drill
Start by positioning yourself 10-15 yards from your partner, who will serve the ball at chest height. This is the same setup as the previous 3 drills.
As the ball approaches, lean back slightly, allowing your chest to absorb the ball’s impact.
The key is to cushion the ball’s momentum and drop it down to your feet, avoiding any excessive bounce that could cause you to lose control. Once the ball is by your feet, quickly pass it back to your, using the inside of your foot.
Shuffle over to the other side and repeat until the coach blows the whistle.
Absorbing the impact of a ball using the chest.
Dropping the ball down to the feet for a pass.
This simulates receiving the ball under pressure from a defender, forcing you to control it, reposition yourself, and then make a pass.
By learning this technique, you can handle high balls more effectively and transition into passes or shots quickly, which is crucial for maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities during games.
Game Situation Drill: Trapping and Shooting
Game Situation Drills combine various trapping techniques with shooting, helping players develop the ability to transition from control to attack.
Trapping the ball.
How to do the drill
Start by having your partner pass the ball to you from 10-15 yards away.
Depending on how the ball is delivered, trap it using one of the soccer passing drills previously practiced in the drills above—inside of the foot, sole of the foot, quad, or chest.
Once you’ve trapped the ball, position it slightly in front of you to set up a shot. Focus on a clean, controlled first touch that prepares you for a precise shot on goal.
Alternate between different trapping methods to handle various types of passes, such as low ground balls or high crosses.
After trapping, take a shot using your laces for power or the inside of your foot for more accuracy, depending on the situation.
Taking a shot on goal.
This drill replicates real-game scenarios where quick ball control and decisive shooting are essential for converting opportunities into goals. Practice varying the pace and angles of the pass to simulate different match situations and incorporating dribbling soccer drills.
Use These Drills in Your Regimen
These passing drills for socceremphasize different aspects of passing and trapping, teaching players to control the ball with various parts of their body in different scenarios.
By practicing each drill, players will develop a more refined first touch, better passing accuracy, and more effective control under pressure, all of which are essential in real-game situations. As they progress through the drills, they will gain the ability to adapt quickly, making fast, controlled passes and setting themselves up for success on the pitch.
To watch this drills in action, and better understand their setup, check out my full video course titled “Ball Control” on the ISnation app.
