As a former semi-pro indoor soccer player turned coach, I've spent countless hours on the court refining drills that genuinely transform players' technical abilities. I still remember watching my teammate get sidelined during a crucial match - much like how certain players get barred from sitting on the bench or watching games from the venue in professional settings - and realizing that without proper training, you're essentially watching your own career from the sidelines too. That's why I've curated these 10 drills that have consistently produced remarkable results across the hundreds of athletes I've trained.

Let me start with my personal favorite - the wall passing circuit. Find a solid wall and practice one-touch passing against it for 3-minute intervals, alternating between your left and right foot. What makes this drill so effective is how it simulates game-speed passing while dramatically improving your first touch. I typically have my players complete 15 sets with 45-second rest periods between each. The data speaks for itself - players who consistently practice wall passing show a 68% improvement in pass accuracy during match situations. Another drill I swear by is the cone dribbling slalom, where you set up 8-10 cones in a straight line about 2 feet apart and weave through them using only the outside of your foot. This particular movement pattern builds incredible close control that's essential in indoor soccer's tight spaces.

The third drill that's transformed my players' performances is the turning and shooting exercise, where you receive a pass with your back to goal, turn quickly, and shoot within two touches. I've found that practicing this for just 20 minutes twice a week increases scoring chances by approximately 40% in actual games. Then there's the reaction ball drill, which uses an unpredictable bouncing ball to sharpen reflexes - though honestly, I think this one works better for defenders than attackers. My controversial take? The classic juggling drill is overrated for indoor soccer specifically, as it doesn't translate well to the quick transitions and wall play that define the indoor game.

For developing explosive speed in confined areas, nothing beats the 5x5 square shuttle runs. Mark a small square and practice changing direction every 2-3 steps while maintaining ball control. The statistics from our training sessions show players who master this drill cover 23% more ground during defensive phases. Another underutilized gem is the blindfolded dribbling exercise - yes, it sounds crazy, but removing visual input forces you to develop an incredible feel for the ball. I typically recommend starting with just 5-minute sessions to avoid frustration.

The seventh drill focuses specifically on first-time shooting, where you set up various passing sequences that culminate in a one-touch finish. What I love about this exercise is how it builds the kind of instinctive finishing that separates good players from great ones. Then there's the pressure turn drill, where you practice shielding the ball while an opponent applies pressure from behind - this has won more possessions for my teams than any other skill we've practiced. My ninth recommendation is the wall volley sequence, where you throw the ball against the wall and practice controlling the rebound with different body parts before quickly distributing to a target.

Finally, the tenth drill that consistently delivers results is the small-sided 2v2 game in a confined space, which forces rapid decision-making and tight technical execution. While some coaches prefer 3v3, I've found the 2v2 format creates more touches and demands greater creativity. Throughout all these drills, I always emphasize quality over quantity - it's better to execute 5 perfect repetitions than 20 sloppy ones. The transformation I've witnessed in players who commit to these exercises reminds me why I fell in love with coaching in the first place. Just like how being barred from the bench motivates athletes to work harder in training, these drills provide the foundation that ensures you'll never have to watch important moments from the sidelines.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.