Best Cones for Soccer Training

The only way to move your career from amateur to professional soccer player is by constantly engaging in training and drills. The good thing about soccer drills is that they don’t necessarily require expensive and complex equipment.

Unlike other athletes that must hit the gym for routine training, some of the equipment required for soccer can be used on the lawn or in an empty garage at home.

For example, the cone, which is a very popular piece of training equipment, can offer endless ways of working on a player’s agility and speed.

Cones allow you to easily create drills that can build your leg’s strength and explosiveness. Cone drills can also be used in building core muscles and strengthening tendons in the body.

The benefits you can get from using training cones are numerous but it all depends on how well you know your cones.

Purchasing the wrong training cones can deter you from obtaining all the benefits a drill might be offering. Also, using a cone for a drill it was not designed for can be a potential source of injury.

The rigorous nature of most soccer drills makes cones susceptible to constant stamping and kicking even amongst professional soccer players.

If your choice of cones isn’t durable and elastic enough, they would need to be changed frequently which will easily deplete your finances.

There are certain things you should be on the lookout for when shopping for training cones. We will highlight all of the necessary features in this article.

How to choose the best cones for training?

The level of strength and skills you can build with cone training are numerous but it all depends on your ability to pick out the right cones from the pack. Do you know how to identify the best training cones when you see them?

If your answer to the above question is NO, keep reading to find out important features you should look out for in training cones that make them suitable for different soccer drills and exercises.

Portability:

Training cones need to be portable enough so they can be conveniently conveyed in bulk to the training ground. Cones that aren’t portable can take up a lot of space on the field when performing tedious drills.

Cones that can be tucked away easily cannot cause a nuisance in your home or gym because they wouldn’t occupy much space. Cones that come with stands can be stored more easily but stacking cones shouldn’t be difficult if they are portable and symmetrical.

Color:

Considering the color of cones is also very important when making choices. Some cones come in very bright and vibrant colors while others come in dull colors which aren’t visible from far distances.

Orange, yellow, and red cones are the most popular colors used by athletes during drills. The reason is that even if these cones are portable and the field’s grass is tall, they can hardly stay hidden.

Always go for cones with high visibility especially if they are portable and you intend to use them outdoors.

Material and Durability:

The type of material used for making the cone of your choice will determine how long it would last. Cones made from rubber will last longer than those made from thermoset.

High-quality training cones made from superior plastic can last you through numerous training drills without even having a single crack. When using cones outdoor, they need to be strong enough to withstand extreme weather conditions.

To prevent warping and discoloration, some cones are made from plastics with UV protection. Always choose durability and quality over quantity when purchasing training cones.

Size:

Different soccer drills often require different sizes of cones. You have to understand this when purchasing new cones to avoid wasting time trying to return an already purchased cone when it doesn’t suit your drill.

Cones that are 1-inch in size can’t be used for drills where 10-inch cones are required. Clearly understand what kinds of drills you will be practicing before purchasing new cones.

Once you know the kind of drills that you will practice regularly, you will be able to narrow down your choice.

Best cones for soccer training

Cones are used during drills for providing direction, body awareness, and coordination. Without cones, performing certain drills might be practically impossible or very difficult.

Unfortunately, cones rarely generate as much excitement as some other soccer equipment when talked about. However, you should never neglect to check for important features when buying new cones as you do for soccer balls or boots.

There are two common types of cones which include the short disk cones and the tall ones that usually look like those used in directing traffic. Both cones are suitable for different drills and shouldn’t be used interchangeably.

Below are some of the best cones for different soccer training on the market.

Best training cones for large teams: Pro Disc Cones by Profect Sports    

Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This soccer training cone from Profect Sports is a perfect choice for many reasons. It comes with 50 cones and other worthwhile features that might make your jaw drop.

For the sake of visibility, you can choose these cones in different bright colors. Also, the cones come with UV protection which means exposure to the sun when you use them outdoors will not lead to fading of the colors.

Coming with a cone holder to stack up cones and a portable carrying mesh bag makes it a more interesting option. With this product, you will also get the top fifteen agility cone drills eBook.

Don’t worry about occasionally kicking, stepping on, or running over these training cones because they will always bounce back due to their durability and flexibility. They also have very low chances of causing any serious injuries.

Regardless of their small size, they are visible enough even under low light and can be used recreationally aside from just soccer training. With these cones, you can ramp up your agility and speed training.

The only problem we noticed with these cones is that they were a little too light. On a windy day, they will fly all over the place and your formation will be frequently disrupted.

Features

• Comes with a mesh drawstring carrying bag
• Includes a book containing 15 best cone drills
• A set contains 50 pieces of disc cones
• Coated with UV protectant
• Easy to stack together on the cone organizer stack

Cons

• Very light and can be blown away by the wind

Best cones for fitness training: Bright Orange Cones by Super Z Outlet

Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

These handy orange sports cones from Super Z Outlet are perfect for many fitness training and agility drills that might not necessarily require tall cones. They come as 20-disc cones per pack which are adequate for most soccer drills.

Their bright colors make them easily visible in outdoor locations—whether in dull light or on very bright days. They are built to withstand vigorous exercises where they can be easily trampled on or kicked.

The reason for their durability is tied to the material used for their manufacture. This is basically a durable plastic that can withstand extreme weather conditions.

You can easily stack them and transport them for storage using their strong Velcro strap. This is one feature we found useful for carrying the cones from home to the field.

We found them useful for different agility and running drills as well as for marking out boundaries including soccer goalposts when nets are not available.

They are suitable for all age groups and gender and are very easy to set up which makes them a fan’s favorite. One other good thing about this product is that even though they are lightweight and portable, they aren’t easily blown away by strong winds.

Features    

• Comes with a nice Velcro strap
• Made with durable plastic
• Visible bright orange color
• Total of 20 cones in a set
• They are flexible, soft, and stack conveniently

Cons

• The Velcro strap comes loose easily
• The number of cones seems insufficient

Best cone for agility training: 7 Inch Traffic Cones by Mirepty   

Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The 7-inch plastic traffic cones manufactured by Mirepty are very similar to traditional pylons which makes them perfect for agility drills. They are made in a variety of visible colors that are suitable for all shades of light.

The cones are made of soft polyethylene vinyl which is both durable and lightweight making it easy to carry them around. They come in a set of 12 cones per pack.

If the cones are mistakenly trampled upon, they will quickly spring back into their original shape. They can withstand accidental collisions, stamping, kicking, and even extreme weather conditions because they are made from quality materials.

These cones serve well for many outdoor and indoor soccer drills. However, if you intend to use this for a large team, you may need to purchase more than a set.

They are made with stake holes for easier storage even though they don’t come with stakes. One of the biggest problems we encountered with this product is that it fades quickly if left under the sun for too long because of a lack of UV protection.

Also, the cones are light and feel like they will be blown away if the wind gets too heavy. You need to be mindful of these each time you take them out.

Features

• Built-in stake holes for easy storage
• Durable and flexible
• Comes in a variety of bright colors
• There are 12 cones in a set
• Made of soft durable polyethylene vinyl

Cons

• Begins to fade when left under the sun for too long
• Too light and can be tossed around by the wind

Best indoor training cone: 9 Inch Plastic Cones by WOWGEEK

Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This training cone from Wowgeek was designed with the soccer player’s safety in mind. It comes in a set of 10 cones per pack and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor drills.

They are usually available in bright primary colors that are noticeable from far distances. This makes them suitable for use during extended training drills.

Although the plastic they are made from is thick and durable, they don’t scratch the floor when used on indoor surfaces. They can’t withstand too much rough handling but can return to their original shape when stepped on.

Being lightweight makes them easier to stack and carry but the drawback is that a light breeze can blow them away when they are not anchored to the ground.

Features

• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Available in different colors
• Made with durable material
• Flexible and returns to shape after stepping on it
• Comes as a pack of 10 cones

Cons

• Can be knocked around by the wind

Best cone for plyometric training: SKLZ 2-Inch Mini Cones

Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

We discovered that this product works well on most surfaces when engaging in drills that build muscular power. With its bright and vibrant colors, you will have no problem with visibility regardless of where you are carrying out your drills.

The SKLZ cones are 2-inch tall and come in two sets of either 20 or 50 cones per pack. Another interesting feature it has is the strong strap that helps you carry them easily.

On its base, you will find an innovative square design that enables them to maintain their original shape after being stepped on. Due to their large numbers, you can use them to mark out boundaries on a soccer pitch during training or informal matches.

What we loved most about this cone was the unique shape. With other circular cones, we used to lose some of our cones to other trainers at the end of the day because we couldn’t differentiate them.

However, with the unique square shape, we are no longer worried when training with other teams. These soccer training cones can improve your abilities and skills on the pitch if you know how to use them.

Features

• The square shape makes it easy to differentiate from regular cones
• The strap firmly keeps them together
• Lightweight and durable
• You can get up to 50 cones in a pack
• Comes in bright vibrant colors

Cons

• The heavy impact will leave it slightly distorted

Conclusion

Cone drills offer numerous benefits ranging from developing your joints and leg muscles to improving your agility, building your speed, and a whole lot more. However, you need the right intensity and equipment to enjoy these benefits.

There is no doubt that some cones are better suited for various soccer drills than others. Using the right set of cones for a particular drill makes it easier to hit your goals.

Cones with vibrant colors and UV protection are highly recommended for outdoor soccer drills because they are usually more visible and last longer when used under the sun for an extended period.

Even though training cones are often designed to be flexible and durable, taking proper care of them along with the rest of your training equipment will enable them to last longer. This will also save you money and time in the long run.