Under 9 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises
Quality age-appropriate soccer drills for kids in the U9, Under 9, 9 and Under age group.
Under 9 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises
Soccer drills for kids ages 9 and under emphasize skill development and game awareness through fun and engaging activities. This page offers drills designed to improve ball control, passing accuracy, and teamwork in a supportive learning environment.
UNDER 9 SOCCER DRILLS, GAMES, AND EXERCISES
1v1 Corner Escape
This drill sharpens a player’s ability to receive under pressure, recognize defensive cues, and dribble into space. It emphasizes decision-making, ball protection, and breaking away from pressure in tight areas.
3-Man Passing and Moving Warmup
This soccer drill sharpens short-range passing, encourages constant movement after the pass, and prepares players physically and mentally for training. It reinforces clean technique and fitness through repetition.
3-Man Box Passing Warmup
This drill focuses on teaching players how to open up their body, scan the field, and play accurate passes while moving continuously. It helps reinforce technical habits that translate directly to in-game situations.
Breaking Ball Combination Drill
This drill teaches players how to play accurate breaking balls into space and make well-timed runs to receive them. Players will work on combination play through quick 1-2 passes, then focus on the weight and timing of through balls. The receiving player learns when to make their run and how to time it with the pass. This drill builds the connection between passer and runner that's crucial in breaking down defenses during games.
3v1 Rondo
This drill builds the foundation of possession soccer by teaching players how to keep the ball in tight spaces. Players learn to create good angles of support, move intelligently without the ball, and position their bodies correctly when receiving. The small grid forces quick decisions and sharp passing. Attackers practice opening their hips to see the whole field and using their back foot to receive passes smoothly. The drill teaches deception through body feints and eye contact that mislead the defender. Players develop the speed and accuracy needed to move the ball before pressure arrives. The consequence of becoming the defender when you make a mistake keeps everyone focused and accountable. This simple but effective drill appears in training sessions from youth levels all the way up to professional teams.