Soccer conditioning drill

Dribble Box Intervals

A soccer conditioning drill with the ball: dribble hard for 30 seconds, rest 30 seconds and repeat, so fitness and touches improve together.

FixesGetting tired late in games and a sloppy touch when out of breath

  • Solo
  • 12 min
  • Ages 8–18
  • 2 days a week
Drill clip0:53
Video: KS Performance on YouTube

The video is a team drill. Alone, dribble hard around your square of 4 cones for 30 seconds, then rest 30.

Who
Solo, no partner needed
Ages
8–18
Time
12 minutes
Dose
8 rounds of 30 seconds hard dribbling and 30 seconds rest, 2 days a week
Equipment
  • Soccer ball (size 3 through age 8, size 4 for ages 9–12, size 5 for 13+)
  • 4 cones or markers
  • Flat grass or a field
  • Timer (a phone works)

How to do the drill

  1. 1

    Set 4 cones in a square, 8 big steps (about 16 feet) on each side.

  2. 2

    Start the timer. Dribble fast around the outside of the square for 30 seconds, cutting sharply at each cone.

  3. 3

    Count every cone you pass. Then walk and rest for 30 seconds.

  4. 4

    Do 8 rounds, switching direction each round so both feet get work.

  5. 5

    Add up the cones from all 8 rounds. Log your total.

Coaching cues

  • Small touches at cones.
  • Head up.
  • Push hard, then breathe.

What good looks like

Your cone count stays close to your first round even in round 8, and the ball stays close at every turn.

Safety

Warm up with a few minutes of easy dribbling first. Drink water before and after, take shade breaks on hot days, and stop if you feel dizzy or sick.

Why this drill

Soccer games are sprints and recoveries over and over. Working hard with the ball while tired builds fitness and keeps your touch sharp late in games.

Next conditioning drillLadder Footwork into the Ball
Player development

Assign this drill with Bravara Reps

Players watch the clip, do the drill at home and check in from their phone. You see who did it, and you pick how many days a week.

Available for iOS & Android