Surface substrate sampling is an essential link in surface substrate survey. On the basis of shallow surface drilling technology, in the light of the current situation of the application of drilling technology in the fields of mineral exploration, geochemistry exploration, regional geological mapping, environmental investigation, engineering exploration, archaeological investigation, etc. in shallow overburden areas, according to the requirements of drilling and sampling under the conditions of different surface landscapes and substrate types. The key points of surface matrix drilling sampling techniques such as rocks, gravels, soils and argillaceous materials are summarized, the sampling technology and apparatus of electric knapsack drill, Ф60/40mm single- pipe percussion drilling, Ф50mm double- pipe percussion drilling and Ф208mm hollow spiral drilling were developed. Field experiments were carried out in Beijing, Bayannur in Inner Mongolia, Ningbo in Zhejiang province and Naqu in Tibet Province. By obtaining samples that meet the requirements, the formation information and material composition are well revealed. Further, different types of surface substrate drilling sampling techniques have been proposed in practice. It provides drilling technical support for the establishment of Natural Resources Investigation and monitoring system and the investigation of surface substrate.