How do you play Knockout in soccer?

Everyone dribbles in a square and tries to kick other balls out while protecting their own. In our version a player who is knocked out does ten toe taps and comes back in.

Why not make players sit out?

Because the children who go out first are the ones who need the most touches. A quick task and a fast return keeps the game fair and useful.

Standing side on between the defender and the ball, with the ball on the far foot. The defender has to go through you to reach it, and that is a foul.

Knockout soccer drill

Knockout is a game in which every player dribbles a ball inside a square and tries to kick the other players’ balls out while protecting their own. It trains shielding, dribbling with the head up and winning the ball.

Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.

Knockout: setup diagram

Six players each dribble a ball inside the square. One player shields the ball from another, and a player who was knocked out does toe taps outside the square before coming back in. Gold: attackers. Dashed arrow: run. Wavy arrow: dribble. Open this diagram as a picture.

At a glance

Detail	For this drill
Ages	U8 to U12 (ages 7 to 12)
Players	6 to 14, one ball each
Space	20 x 20 yd (18 x 18 m)
Equipment	One ball per player; cones for a square
Time	8 to 10 minutes, in rounds of two minutes
Skill	Dribbling and ball mastery

Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.

How to run it

Mark a square about 20 yards across. Everyone dribbles inside it.
On “go”, players try to kick anyone else’s ball out of the square while keeping their own.
A player whose ball leaves the square fetches it, does ten toe taps outside, and comes straight back in.
Play for two minutes. Players count how many balls they knocked out, not how long they survived.
Round two: a player may only attack while their own ball is within reach. No leaving your ball behind.

Coaching points to say out loud

“Body between the ball and them.”
“Side on, arm out for balance.”
“Head up: who is coming?”
“Keep your own ball close.”

Make it easier or harder

Easier
Make the square bigger. Or play “tails”: players tuck a bib in their shorts and pull tails instead of kicking balls.
Harder
Shrink the square each round. Or split into two teams in different bibs who only knock out the other team’s balls.

Common mistakes

The classic rule that sends the first players out to watch for five minutes. The weakest dribblers then get the least practice.
Leaving your own ball to chase others. Add the within-reach rule.
Wild kicks at ankles. A fair challenge goes for the ball with the side of the foot.

Why it matters in a game

Shielding is what a forward does with a defender on their back, and what any player does near the touchline. It also sets up the next choice in our lesson on receiving under pressure: if you can protect the ball, you can wait for support.

The lesson that teaches it: Look, Then Turn or Return.

Questions about Knockout

How do you play Knockout in soccer?
Everyone dribbles in a square and tries to kick other balls out while protecting their own. In our version a player who is knocked out does ten toe taps and comes back in.
Why not make players sit out?
Because the children who go out first are the ones who need the most touches. A quick task and a fast return keeps the game fair and useful.
What is shielding?
Standing side on between the defender and the ball, with the ball on the far foot. The defender has to go through you to reach it, and that is a foul.

Lessons that teach this idea

Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.

Play the lesson: Look, Then Turn or Return