It’s pouring rain outside, it’s cold, and your young soccer player has way too much energy. They are bouncing off the walls, and you are worried they might break a lamp.
Don’t worry—we have the solution.
You don’t need a big backyard or fancy equipment to help your child get better at soccer. In fact, training in small spaces is better for kids because it forces them to keep the ball close to their feet.
Here are 7 super-fun, safe indoor soccer drills that turn your living room into their own personal Wembley Stadium. All you need is a ball and some imagination!
📋 Resource Overview
- Best For Ages: U6 to U12 (Kids)
- Space Needed: Small living room or hallway (2×2 meters)
- Equipment: A ball and some socks!
- Goal: Burn energy, improve coordination, have fun safely.
1. The “Sock Slalom”
We don’t want kids tripping over hard plastic cones in the house. The solution? Rolled-up socks! This is great for teaching them to use both feet.
📋 Drill Profile
- Space: Hallway or rug
- Equipment: 3-4 pairs of socks
- Kid Focus: Gentle touches, not kicking it far.
How to play: Line up 3 or 4 pairs of socks on the floor with a little gap between them. Challenge your child to dribble in and out of the socks like a skier going down a mountain.
- Kid Tip: Can they do it using only their “weak foot”?
2. The Sofa/Wall Pass (The “Quiet” Rebounder)
If you have a sturdy sofa, you have the perfect passing partner that never gets tired and, crucially, is quiet!
📋 Drill Profile
- Space: 1 meter from the sofa
- Equipment: A soft sofa cushion
- Kid Focus: Using the “inside” (arch) of the foot.
How to play: Have your child stand close to the sofa and gently pass the ball into the bottom cushion. They have to control it when it bounces back.
- The Challenge: How many passes can they make in 30 seconds without losing control of the ball?
3. “Dancing on the Ball” (Toe Taps)
This is amazing for coordination and burning off that extra energy. It stays in one spot, so it’s very safe.
📋 Drill Profile
- Space: 1×1 meter spot
- Equipment: Ball only
- Kid Focus: Balance and rhythm.
How to play: The ball stays still. The child has to lightly tap the top of the ball with the bottom of their toes, alternating feet like they are running on the spot. Left, right, left, right!
- Fun Variation: Put on their favorite fast song and see if they can tap to the beat of the music!
4. The “Figure 8” Race
This teaches kids how to turn their bodies while keeping the ball under control.
📋 Drill Profile
- Space: 2×1 meters
- Equipment: 2 shoes or water bottles placed apart
- Kid Focus: Using the “pinky toe” (outside) to turn.
How to play: Place two shoes about three big steps apart. The child has to dribble in a “Figure 8” shape around them.
- Kid Tip: Tell them they are a race car driver going around a tight track!
5. The “Hot Lava” Box
Kids love imagination games. This drill uses that to teach incredible close control.
📋 Drill Profile
- Space: A tiny 1×1 meter square
- Equipment: Blue painter’s tape (easy to remove)
- Kid Focus: Keeping the ball safe.
How to play: Mark a small square on the floor with tape (or just put 4 cushions down as corners). The inside of the square is safe island, but the floor outside is “Hot Lava.” They must dribble around inside the island without the ball ever touching the lava!
6. The Sofa Cushion Volley
This is usually the favorite! It’s a fun way to practice controlling the ball out of the air safely.
📋 Drill Profile
- Space: Living room
- Equipment: Sofa
- Kid Focus: Watching the ball all the way onto the foot.
How to play: The child stands very close to the sofa and performs a gentle underhand toss against the cushion so it pops straight up. They try to catch it with their thigh or the inside of their foot before it hits the ground.
- Safety Tip: Emphasize gentle tosses. It’s not a contest to see how high it goes!
7. “Magic Circles” (Step-Overs)
This looks cool and makes kids feel like pro players. It’s great for hip flexibility.
📋 Drill Profile
- Space: Stationary
- Equipment: Ball only
- Kid Focus: Not touching the ball.
How to play: The ball sits still. The child has to swing one foot over the top of the ball without touching it, like drawing a magic circle around it. Then do the other foot.
- The Challenge: Can they do 10 magic circles without kicking the ball away?
🎥 Watch: 5-Minute Indoor Follow-Along
If your child learns better by watching, play this 5-minute workout video. It covers similar drills to the ones above (like the slalom and toe taps) and is great for them to follow along with in real-time.
Parent Safety Checklist for Indoor Soccer
How to Turn Your Living Room Into a Safe Soccer Training Zone
Step 1: The “30-Second Sweep” Before you start, do a quick scan of the room. Push the coffee table back to create space. Move any breakable items (vases, lamps, electronics) to a higher shelf or a different room. You need a “safe zone” of about 2×2 meters.
Step 2: Choose the Right “Ball” If you are indoors, a hard leather soccer ball can be noisy and dangerous. Swap it for a lighter “futsal” ball, a soft foam ball, or even a balloon for younger kids. This prevents damage to your walls and furniture.
Step 3: Build Your Course You don’t need cones. Go to your drawer and grab 4-5 pairs of socks. Roll them up into balls and place them on the floor to create your slalom course or marking grids.
Step 4: The “Barefoot Rule” Make sure your child takes off their outdoor cleats or slippery socks. Bare feet are best for indoor training because they give the child better grip on the floor and a better “feel” for the ball.
Common Questions from Parents
What is the best age for these drills?
These are perfect for kids aged 6 to 12. Younger kids (U6) will love the “Sock Slalom” and “Dancing on the Ball,” while older kids (U12) can challenge themselves with the “Hot Lava Box.”
How long should they practice indoors?
Keep it fun and short! 15 to 20 minutes is plenty. If they get bored or frustrated, stop and try again tomorrow. The goal is to associate having the ball at their feet with fun.
My child wants more drills, where can I find them?
If they master these, you can download our free 100 Small Sided Games PDF. While many are for outdoors, there is a whole section on “Ball Mastery” that gives more ideas for individual skills!
Related Post: 12-Week Youth Soccer Practice Plan (U8-U12 Soccer Drills)
