Dribbling and Turning with Pressure on the Back
This drill teaches players how to turn effectively when under defensive pressure. It improves awareness, body positioning, and ball protection while developing confidence in 1v1 situations.
Browse U9, U10, U11, & U12 Soccer Drills and Soccer Practice Sessions
When coaching Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, and Under 12, the player's motor skills are becoming more refined. 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.
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).
This drill teaches players how to turn effectively when under defensive pressure. It improves awareness, body positioning, and ball protection while developing confidence in 1v1 situations.
This drill improves passing accuracy, technique, and decision-making at varying distances. Players learn to adjust power and precision while maintaining consistency under pressure.
This drill develops players' ability to attack and defend in small spaces while encouraging quick decision-making, teamwork, and fitness through constant movement.
This drill develops individual attacking and defending skills by challenging players to dribble under pressure, protect the ball, and accurately pass or shoot to knock over cones for points.
This drill enhances passing accuracy, spatial awareness, and teamwork by encouraging players to use the four corner players as outlets to maintain possession. It also develops defensive pressure and quick transitions.
Develop players' dribbling skills by challenging them to navigate through multiple gates within a 1-minute timeframe. This drill emphasizes quick decision-making and ball control under pressure. The goal is to enhance agility and precision while maintaining speed during dribbling.
The objective of a 4v4 soccer scrimmage to mini-goals is to replicate the dynamics of a full-sided game in a smaller, more controlled environment. This format encourages players to focus on quick decision-making, positioning, and maintaining possession under pressure, as well as improving their ability to transition between attacking and defending. The mini-goals emphasize accuracy and composure in front of the goal, helping players develop finishing skills without the presence of a goalkeeper.
The 3v1 Transition Rondo drill emphasizes quick combination passing to unbalance the defender and shift the point of attack to an adjacent grid. This exercise challenges the defender to transition rapidly between areas, enhancing their ability to react under pressure. The focus is on sharp passing and strategic movement to exploit defensive weaknesses.
The three-cone passing drill focuses on passing, awareness, and movement after the pass. This is a great warmup to focus on passing technique and movement after the pass.
The 4v2 Rondo is a great soccer possession game to work on passing, angles of support, and movement off the ball to maintain possession.
This drill sharpens 1v1 attacking, defending, and finishing under pressure. Players must react quickly after scoring, transition between attack and defense, and stay composed in high-pressure situations.
This drill enhances dribbling under pressure, quick changes of direction, and spatial awareness. Players learn to protect the ball while navigating through a crowded area at speed.