Body Parts Warm-up Game
Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot
The Body Parts Warm-up Game is a simple soccer dribbling drill that gets U5–U8 players moving, laughing, and listening from the first minute of practice. Kids dribble freely until the coach calls a body part, then race to stop the ball with it - building close control and quick thinking without a single line to stand in.
Want more? See all our soccer dribbling drills or jump to U7 soccer drills for this age group.
Setup
- Mark a 15×15 yard grid with cones.
- Give every player a ball and spread them out inside the grid.
How It Works
- Players dribble anywhere inside the grid, keeping the ball close.
- The coach calls out a body part - right foot, left foot, knee, elbow, and so on.
- Each player stops their ball as fast as they can using that body part.
- Once everyone has stopped their ball, call "dribble!" and the game continues.
- Mix up the calls and speed them up as players warm up.
Coaching Points
- Keep players moving and changing direction - zig-zags, not laps.
- Reward close possession: the ball should never be more than a step away.
- Heads up between touches so players avoid collisions.
- Make it silly sometimes (nose, ear) - laughter keeps young players engaged.
Variations
- Make it elimination-free competition: last player to stop the ball does three toe taps before rejoining.
- Call two body parts in a row to test memory.
- Let a player be the caller for a round.