Games

Soccer is a fun game to play. The better your skills, the more fun you’ll have!

A great way to improve your skills is to play with friends. If you have a friend, sister, brother or parent around, here are some soccer-related games you can play. Most of the games have links to video demos.

Try some of these games. If you get bored with one, try a different one, or create your own. Most importantly, have fun!

Quick links:

Shintago (formerly called shin bash):

This game helps develop trickiness, agility and quick feet.

  1. One player (the target, also called player 2) stands in front of a wall or fence.
  2. Player 1 has the ball at her feet facing player 2, one step away.
  3. Player 1 gets one touch to hit player 2 anywhere below the knees with the ball (the “shin tag”). Player 1 gets a point if she hits player 2 on her shot (rebounds don’t count).
  4. Player 2 can jump around, but she can’t run away.
  5. Player 1 gets three turns. The key is to either play quickly and catch the other player off-guard (a quick toe poke often works), or trick the other player. You can trick her into jumping by faking a kick, then hitting her as she comes back down after her jump. Or pretend to kick with one foot, but kick with the other foot instead.
  6. Switch roles and let player 2 get three turns. Who gets the most points?

Texas Draw:

“Texas Draw” is a fun 1v1 soccer skills game that emphasizes pullback turns. It helps you develop quick feet, and it helps you learn how to use pullback turns to get out of tight pressure.

  1. Two players face each other 1 foot apart, with a ball between them.
  2. Players start with both feet on the ground.
  3. Someone calls “draw!”
  4. Both players try to pull the ball away from their opponent. (This is similar to a hockey face-off. ) The player who wins the ball earns a point.
  5. Play “best 2 out of 3”, or “second best foot only”.

Variations:

  • Change the starting position: players can start back to back, or side to side.
  • Change the ball position: players can start back to back, with the ball wedged in between their backs.

Texas Draw and dribble:

You can build on Texas Draw by adding dribbling to the pullback. For example, the winner of the draw earns a point if she dribbles to a target, or keeps the ball away from her opponent for 6 dribbling touches.

  • You can add directional dribbling by playing the “snow cones” dribbling game, starting with a Texas Draw instead of a pass.

Texas slam:

Helps with quick reactions, shoulder charges and balance.

  1. Two players start side to side, with a ball one step in front.
  2. Players start with both feet on the ground.
  3. Someone calls “slam!”
  4. Each player steps forward toward the ball and uses her inside shoulder (not arm or elbow) to force the other player off-balance, while placing her inside foot (the one closest to the opponent) between the opponent and the ball.
  5. The player who gets the best leverage and position takes the ball away using the outside of her “far” foot (the foot farthest away from the opponent).
  6. Play “best 2 out of 3”, then switch positions so each player works both sides of her body.

4-square:

Another fun game that helps with ball control, balance, coordination and quick feet. Click here for a description and rules. (The link seems to have gone extinct.) The soccer version of 4-square is like the playground version, but you play the ball with your feet instead of using your hands. Here’s a quick video link.

1v1 dribbling games:

Wrist girl:

Dribbling marbles:

Passing marbles:

Soccer golf:

Soccer tennis:

Slam!

Scrimmages:

Play 2v2, 3v3 or 4v4 with a group of friends. If you don’t have goals, use trees, bags, or whatever is available (even a Christmas pineapple). To keep it fresh, let the team that just scored add a crazy rule, such as “next goal has to be left-footed” or “players can do volleys instead of throw-ins”.