1. Superior Cones
Not all cones are created equally. When buying cones to use in soccer drills, avoid buying cones that resemble traffic cones. This type of cone is more likely to trip your players and cause an injury. They're also bulky and take up unnecessary room in your trunk. Instead, buy soft disc cones. They resemble little saucers and have a hole in the center. These small flexible cones have resiliency against trampling and aren't likely to trip a player.
2. Spread Them Out, or Not
When setting up cones for drills, be aware of the distance between the cones. The farther apart the cones are, the fewer touches your players need to take when dribbling the ball. Having some distance between cones is good when you want your players to sprint through the drill. If you're working on technical skills, keep the cones close together so the players are forced to keep the ball under control.
3. Drill Sergeant
Cones are excellent for dribbling drills. Set up the cones in a line and have your players slalom through the cones. Have them warm up by dribbling through the cones however they are comfortable. Next limit them to just their right feet, then limit them to their left feet. Improve your players' touch on the ball by having them slalom through the cones using only the inside or outside of their feet. This drill forces them to move their bodies around the ball to maneuver it through the cones, which also improves their agility.
4. Set Some Boundaries
Use your cones to create small playing fields for your players. Having only cones to judge a sideline forces your players to keep their heads up while playing. Also, playing in small spaces improves the accuracy of passes. Put four players in a box that is 10 yards by 10 yards and have them play keep away. The small playing area should encourage your players to move into open space in order to receive a pass from their teammates, a valuable habit during game play. Emphasize the need to support teammates while playing in a confined space.
5. Soccer Golf
Cones can be fun. Let your players unwind while working on crossing accuracy with a game of soccer golf. Set up cones sporadically around the field. They should all be at various distances and widths from your players' starting place. Have your players choose a cone and pass the ball to that cone. The goal is to hit the cone with the ball. From that first cone, the players should choose a second cone at which to aim.
Not all cones are created equally. When buying cones to use in soccer drills, avoid buying cones that resemble traffic cones. This type of cone is more likely to trip your players and cause an injury. They're also bulky and take up unnecessary room in your trunk. Instead, buy soft disc cones. They resemble little saucers and have a hole in the center. These small flexible cones have resiliency against trampling and aren't likely to trip a player.
2. Spread Them Out, or Not
When setting up cones for drills, be aware of the distance between the cones. The farther apart the cones are, the fewer touches your players need to take when dribbling the ball. Having some distance between cones is good when you want your players to sprint through the drill. If you're working on technical skills, keep the cones close together so the players are forced to keep the ball under control.
3. Drill Sergeant
Cones are excellent for dribbling drills. Set up the cones in a line and have your players slalom through the cones. Have them warm up by dribbling through the cones however they are comfortable. Next limit them to just their right feet, then limit them to their left feet. Improve your players' touch on the ball by having them slalom through the cones using only the inside or outside of their feet. This drill forces them to move their bodies around the ball to maneuver it through the cones, which also improves their agility.
4. Set Some Boundaries
Use your cones to create small playing fields for your players. Having only cones to judge a sideline forces your players to keep their heads up while playing. Also, playing in small spaces improves the accuracy of passes. Put four players in a box that is 10 yards by 10 yards and have them play keep away. The small playing area should encourage your players to move into open space in order to receive a pass from their teammates, a valuable habit during game play. Emphasize the need to support teammates while playing in a confined space.
5. Soccer Golf
Cones can be fun. Let your players unwind while working on crossing accuracy with a game of soccer golf. Set up cones sporadically around the field. They should all be at various distances and widths from your players' starting place. Have your players choose a cone and pass the ball to that cone. The goal is to hit the cone with the ball. From that first cone, the players should choose a second cone at which to aim.
