Y Talk: More Backyard Soccer Drills by Kelly Tyrrell

We are back with Round 2 of backyard soccer drills. If your kids are willing to dedicate 30 minutes to training everyday, they will see improvements in their touches on the ball and their fitness level. Again, remember to use both feet when going through these exercises. Don’t let the kids cut the corner by only using their stronger foot!

With the right setup, backyard soccer drills can be incredibly effective for skill development and fitness. To make the most of these sessions, consider how the Turf Yard can enhance your training area. A well-maintained artificial turf surface provides a consistent, reliable playing field that mimics the conditions of a professional pitch. This ensures that your kids can focus on refining their techniques without being distracted by uneven or muddy ground.

These dribbling drills can be run outdoors or in the comfort of your living room/basement. Perform each exercise for 45 seconds and repeat at least once. The exercise should then progress to a different surface of your foot. This will make more sense after you have viewed the video.

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This is a passing/receiving drill that highlights taking your first touch in a direction, as opposed to stopping the ball dead at your feet upon receiving it. While players are waiting to receive a pass, they should always be aware of where they want to play the ball next. Their first touch should be in the direction of the ensuing play, whether that be a touch into space to dribble, or a touch to set up their next pass. This will improve their speed of play and help them to be dynamic on the field.

In the second drill, you can use a person as a passer if you don’t have two walls.

The following clip will highlight agility drills that will improve speed and strength on the soccer field.

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Please encourage your kids to put in the work and remain active with these at-home exercises. They will notice the benefits when we get back on the field!

-by Kelly Tyrrell, Sports Director

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