While it is known throughout the rest of the world as football, the world's game is known as soccer in the US and is growing in popularity and participation. Before players can display their skills on the field of play, they need plenty of practice. Outside of just playing a match to improve one's game, using specific soccer drills to get better is the proven method used by soccer clubs across the globe.

One Touch Passing Drill

This simple drill is good for warm-ups and for building passing skills on the team. Each player should be spread out across the field and a specific order should be established for who will pass the ball to whom. The goal is to touch the ball only once and make a clean pass to the next teammate in the order. This drill is good for helping players to identify the next pass quickly for getting into better positions, and for receiving them as well.

Cone Dribbling

Players of every age and skill level can participate in a cone dribbling drill and it works for the entire team. Cones need to be strategically placed around the field and each player should dribble around each cone and swing back to the starting point. This drill will help improve dribbling skills and helps players use each foot to move down the field.

Attack the Penalty Box

When it comes to soccer drills that help with scoring goals and taking shots, getting practice with realistic scoring opportunities is a great way to learn. Players should get into position in the penalty area and a couple of players can be right outside the area for crossing chances. The set-up players will feed the strikers and those on the flanks and one touch should be used to take shots and create scoring chances. This drill brings simulated game action to the practice field and helps improve scoring and shot-taking.

Defending With Pressure

This drill is intended to make the defense more active and teach them to apply pressure in order to stop scoring attacks. The field can be shortened for this drill and the goalies should stay inside the penalty area. The defense should apply heavy pressure to prevent the offense from getting good scoring chances and making a goal. It is the purpose of this drill to cut down the amount of time the offense has to move the ball downfield.

4 versus 4

This drill is done with a shortened field and has four players take on another four. When a goal is scored or the ball is taken away from the attacking team, a transition to the opposite direction is made immediately. This drill is designed to get players to be able to transition quickly and keep the ball in play.

Drills are a key element in the improvement of soccer skills for athletes of every age and skill level. They come in many forms and focus on many different elements of the game, while encouraging teamwork. When a skill is learned by a player, it is a good drill that can help them maintain what they learned and improved upon it. Knowing which drills are needed to make the most of a player's skill set is as important as learning the skill. Having a good time with the whole process is also an invaluable lesson to remember at the end of the day.