Safe Zone Clearing
Clearing
Legend
- player
- cones
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Learn to kick the ball away from the defensive area with power and in the right direction.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
Your focus
Young defenders need to understand the primary principle of clearing: get the ball away from danger. Learning directional clearing early prevents the habit of clearing backward or into dangerous areas.
Set up a 'danger zone', a 10-yard square representing the penalty area.
Place balls around the zone edge.
Players stand in the zone; coach rolls a ball in.
Player must kick the ball out of the zone as far as possible using their laces.
Award points for distance and direction (bonus if ball clears a cone gate on the far side).
Repeat 5 times per player.
Goal
You've got it when the ball lands past the halfway markers every time and goes the direction you aimed, not sideways, not short.
Helpful cues
- Kick through the bottom half of the ball for height
- Plant foot beside the ball, not behind it
- Away from danger, kick it wide or long
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Ball is stationary; player approaches and kicks from a still position.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Ball is rolling toward player, clear it while it moves.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.