10 Soccer Training Drills That Improve Performance In Offensive Roles

If you play an attacking role in soccer, whether as a striker, winger, or attacking midfielder, improving your skills isn’t just about scoring goals.

It’s about refining your movement, decision making, and ball control so you can create chances and put pressure on defenders every game.

Feeling stuck or out of ideas during training sessions is super common, especially when you notice that the same routines aren’t helping you break past tough competition.

Mixing up your drills and focusing on specific offensive skills can help you unlock more options on the field and become much harder to defend.

Here are 10 soccer training drills that I swear by for boosting performance in offensive positions. These drills cover everything from shooting accuracy to off the ball runs, aiming to make you a more dynamic threat in attack, whether you’re leading the line or supporting from the wings.

1. Finishing Under Pressure

Realistic match pressure is a big part of every great striker’s game. This drill helps you handle defenders closing in or goalkeepers making bold moves, so pulling off that last touch or unpredictable shot becomes second nature.

How It Works:

• Start just outside the penalty area with a teammate or coach acting as a passive defender.
• Receive a pass with your back to goal, turn, and shoot quickly while the defender applies pressure but doesn’t tackle.
• Move on to having an active defender once you’re comfortable.

This drill is great for improving your first touch, composure in the box, and your ability to shoot under both physical and time-based pressure, which is key during real matches.

2. One Touch Passing and Shooting

One touch play is huge for quick, attacking soccer. Practicing this style will speed up your decision making and help you execute attacks before the opposition can react.

How It Works:

• Set up 2 cones about 10 yards apart. Stand at one cone while your teammate is at the other.
• Your teammate passes you the ball, you return it with a single touch, then receive a return pass for a one touch shot on goal.

Switch roles regularly to ensure balance. The goal is sharp ball movement and clean finishing with as few touches as possible, simulating fast-paced attacking moves.

Recommended Gear for These Drills:

• ✅ SKLZ Quickster Soccer Trainer (Rebounder) – Great for improving one-touch passing and control.
• ✅ GOLME PRO Pop Up Soccer Goal – Portable goals perfect for finishing drills on any surface.
• ✅ Whistle and Stopwatch Combo – Time your drills or coach your sessions with ease.

3. Dribble and Cut Inside

Cutting inside is a classic move for wingers and attacking midfielders. This drill sharpens your ability to beat a fullback and shoot or cross quickly after a diagonal run, adding a surprise factor to your play.

Drill Steps:

• Begin near the sideline and dribble towards the top corner of the penalty box at speed.
• Use a quick change of direction to cut inside onto your stronger foot.
• Shoot at the far post from just outside the box.

This move will help you create space and shooting angles where defenders least expect it, making your attacks more unpredictable.

4. Third Man Runs

Creating attacking overloads often depends on effective off the ball movement. Third man runs are super useful for breaking through packed defenses and generating smart passing options.

How It Works:

• Set up three players: a passer, a linking midfielder, and an attacker.
• The ball is played from the passer to the midfielder, who then lays it off into the path of an attacker running into space at just the right time.

It’s all about timing and reading play, which really gives your attacking combinations with teammates a boost and creates more open chances during games.

Recommended Gear for These Drills:

• ✅ Agility Disc Cones Set – Perfect for setting up movement routes and cut-ins.
• ✅ Adidas Tango Rosario Soccer Ball – A solid match-quality ball for realistic passing and dribbling.
• ✅ SKLZ Weighted Control Training Ball – Train your foot control and ball strength effectively.

5. Crossing and Finishing Circuit

Whether you’re a forward or wide player, working on timing your runs and finishing crosses will help turn half chances into goals and make you a bigger threat around the box.

Drill Steps:

• Wide players dribble down the wings and deliver crosses from various spots near the byline.
• Attackers perfectly time their runs into the box to meet the cross for a volley, header, or side foot finish.

Vary the speed and height of the crosses so attackers have to adjust and react as they would in a match situation.

6. Fast Break Transition Drill

Quick transitions can win games, especially in high-tempo soccer. This drill is excellent for working on speed, awareness, and making instant decisions when numbers are even or even tilted against you.

How It Works:

• Start with a small team on defense against an equal or slightly larger attacking group.
• If the defenders win the ball, they counterattack by quickly moving the ball upfield, aiming to shoot on goal within a set time, like 8 seconds.

This builds sharp reactions, top speed running, and helps players spot passing options in the heat of the moment.

Recommended Gear for These Drills:

• ✅ GHB Agility Ladder Training Set – Warm up your footwork and speed before fast break drills.
• ✅ FORZA Training Dummy – Simulates defenders for finishing and crossing drills.
• ✅ STATSports Apex Athlete GPS Tracker – Track sprint speed, distance covered, and transitions.

7. Combination Play Around the Box

Breaking down tight defensive walls often comes down to smart, short passing. Practicing combination moves just outside the penalty area is a great way to sharpen your close control and creativity.

Drill Steps:

• Set up three cones in a triangle about 10 yards apart near the penalty area.
• Players practice give and go passes, quick turns, and lay offs before slipping a pass through the defense for a shot.

The objective is to get comfortable with close, creative teamwork in the final third, preparing you for real match pressure.

8. Timed Shooting from Different Angles

Game winners often happen when you’re forced to shoot from difficult angles or with limited time. Training for this makes you more comfortable finishing from anywhere around the box.

How It Works:

• Move between markers at various angles and distances from goal (like the edge of the box, out wide, and inside the D).
• Have a teammate pass or roll the ball to you at each marker, then shoot within two touches—add time pressure if possible.

This is fantastic for building both technique and confidence, plus quick adaptability in front of goal.

Recommended Gear for These Drills:

• ✅ GoPro HERO12 + Chest Mount – Record yourself from a player’s POV to analyze finishing angles.
• ✅ Adidas Tango Rosario Soccer Ball – Consistent quality for drills that require clean striking.
• ✅ Agility Cones – Mark out shooting zones and simulate game scenarios.

9. Shadow Play: Attacking Patterns

Shadow play gives you a chance to rehearse planned attacking sequences as a team, without defenders. It helps cement your muscle memory for in-game combinations, such as overlapping runs, through balls, and coordinated pressing upfield.

Drill Steps:

• Line up the attacking unit (forwards, midfielders, wide players).
• Walk and jog through different patterns: switching flanks, entering the box, laying off for a midfielder running up, and more.

Repeating these routines together improves your chemistry and timing, getting your team ready for tough, high-pressure matches.

10. Shooting After Skill Moves

Great attackers use creativity to beat defenders 1v1. This drill connects dribbling skills directly with shooting, so you’re always dangerous near the box.

How It Works:

• Arrange cones as defenders outside the penalty area. Use a skill move (like a stepover, fake shot, or drag back) to “beat” the cone and immediately shoot on goal.
• Switch up the skill move each round for more variety and realism.

It encourages the habit of making space and finishing before defenders can recover, which is what top attackers do in matches.

Recommended Gear for These Drills:

• ✅ FORZA Soccer Mannequins – Great for simulating defenders in solo skill move drills.
• ✅ SKLZ Weighted Ball – Reinforces close control before finishing.

How to Get the Most out of These Drills

Drills like these work best when you stay consistent and track your growth over time.

Mixing them into your usual sessions means you’ll see improvement in your movement, confidence, and ability to create or finish chances. The key is to focus on quality and intensity.

Aim to push the pace just like you would in a real game, and keep your head up so you’re always aware of your options and surroundings.

Adapting drills to your specific level and playing style really matters too. Are you left footed? Do extra reps on that side.

Are you a striker in a pressing system? Pay more attention to the fast break and finishing under pressure drills.

And if you want even more practical tips or ideas, check out great resources like The Soccer IQ where you can find super helpful explanations from top coaches and players.

As you practice, don’t forget to check in with your coach or teammates for feedback.

Staying open to adjustments keeps your progress steady and helps you build great attacking habits over time.

Try keeping a simple training journal to record successes, what needs work, and to keep your motivation high.

Final Thoughts

Training to be a top attacker is about more than just shooting drills or pulling off highlight plays.

It means working to become a well rounded threat who can create, finish, and constantly ask questions of defenders.

These drills are proven ways to sharpen your offensive skills and make you an even more important player for your team.

Give them a real shot in your practices and see which ones help you gain confidence up front.

With dedication, you’ll definitely notice positive changes in your game and your teammates will too!

Shop Your Training Kit

Want to take your training to the next level? Check out these top-rated essentials used by coaches and players worldwide:

• SKLZ Quickster Soccer Trainer (Rebounder)
• Adidas Tango Rosario Soccer Ball
• GOLME PRO Pop Up Soccer Goal
• STATSports Apex GPS Performance Tracker
• FORZA Soccer Training Dummy
• GHB Agility Ladder and Cones
• GoPro HERO12 with Chest Mount
• SKLZ Weighted Training Ball

Happy soccer season!!!!!

This website contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.