U9, U10, U11, and U12 Soccer Drills
UNDER 9, UNDER 10, UNDER 11, AND UNDER 12 SOCCER DRILLS (U9, U10, U11, & U12 SOCCER DRILLS), U9 U10 U11 U12 SOCCER PRACTICE SESSIONS
Browse U9, U10, U11, & U12 Soccer Drills and Soccer Practice Sessions
U9, U10, U11, and U12 Soccer Drills
When coaching Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, and Under 12, the player's motor skills are becoming more refnied. Most players can stay on task at a greater length allowing you to extend your practices to an hour and a half or, in some instances, competitive team environments, two hours. You will notice skills starting to emerge, and the repetition of technique is essential. Coaches should continue positive reinforcement as peer pressure is starting to become an issue.
Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, and Under 12 Soccer Drills (U9, U10, U11, & U12 Soccer Drills), U9 U10 U11 U12 Soccer Practice Sessions
With the player's technique learned at an earlier age is now time to refine these skills with an introduction to basic tactics. Small-sided games will become your primary teaching means. With small-sided games such as 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4, players will receive tons of touches while focusing on less complicated tactics than a 11v11 match.
My #1 piece of advice is to play small-sided games and put an emphasis on creating a competitive environment as much as possible. This will keep the small-sided games fun for the players and teach the game itself.
The soccer drills listed below are age specific soccer drills for Under 9 (U9, U-9, 9 and Under), Under 10 (U10, U-10, 10 and Under), Under 11 (U11, U-11, and 11 and Under), Under 12 (U12, U-12, 12 and Under).
U9, U10, U11, and U12 Soccer Drills
2v1 with Keepers
Develops attacking players' ability to exploit numerical advantages in a 2v1 situation. Encourages defenders to delay and disrupt play while improving goalkeeper distribution and decision-making.
3v3 Plus Keepers to Full-Size Goals
This drill improves small-group attacking and defending, finishing under pressure, and goalkeeper distribution. It simulates game-like conditions in a compact space, encouraging quick decisions and dynamic play.
4v4 + Keeper to Full-Size Goals
This drill simulates real match conditions by developing players' ability to attack, defend, and transition in small-sided play. It encourages quick decision-making, team communication, and finishing with the added challenge of goalkeepers.
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.
1v1 Battle - Attacking and Reaction Drill
This 1v1 soccer battle drill will focus on the attacker's change of direction, change of pace, and burst of speed to the goal all while working on the defender's ability to close down the attacker quickly, reaction time, speed of recovery, and angles of defense.
Combination Play Through the Central Midfielders
This soccer passing and combination drill focus on passing combination play through the central midfielder players.
Two-Goal Soccer Shooting Training Session
This soccer shooting training session focuses on receiving a ground pass and shooting followed up with receiving a long ball and shooting on target.
1v1 Attacking to a Full-Size Goal
This 1v1 attacking drill that focuses on beating the defender in a 1v1 situation and finishing on a full-size goal.
2v2 with Target Players to Small Goals
This 2v2 drill focuses on penetrating passes to a target player to stretch the field and finish on goal.
Goalkeeper Footwork Exercise with Hurdle
This goalkeeping drill will focus on footwork as well as handling the ball. This is a great goalkeeper warm-up or agility drill to do during keeper training.