The age and skill level of your players should always be the guide when planning soccer practice drills. You want to challenge players so they will learn, but a drill that is too complex will only confuse them. Along the same lines, a too-simple practice will bore them and lose their focus. Always plan your practice in advance to be prepared, but take cues from your players and have a couple of fun back-up games ready in case you need to regain or redirect their attention.
An across-field warm up improves agility, stamina, first touch and passing. Line up two groups of players with one group on the touch line and the second facing them about five yards away. The second group starts with the ball and jogs backward, tossing the ball to the player facing them. The first group players practice catching the ball in the air and returning it to the other team. When the second group reaches the opposite touch line, roles reverse and play starts in the other direction. Depending on the age of the players, the drill can last up to 20 minutes with added dribbling skills.
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