U10 soccer drills for 9 and 10 year olds

U10 soccer at a glance

Game format, field, ball and game length are U.S. Soccer’s small-sided standards; practice length is US Youth Soccer’s coaching guidance. Your league may differ.

What U10 players can and cannot do yet

• They can pass and receive with both feet, and are ready to learn a first touch that moves the ball into space.
• They can work in threes and fours: triangles, rondos and 2v1 make sense to them.
• They can look up before the ball arrives, if a game teaches them to.
• They are ready for simple team ideas: spread out when we have the ball, get goal-side when we lose it.
• The goalkeeper position is new. Everyone should try it, with gentle service.
• They are not small adults. Long tactical talks and full-field games still waste their time.

Attention span and group sizes

• Activities can last ten to twelve minutes, with a clear way to score.
• Groups of three and four suit most practice games, growing to 4v4 or 5v5 at the end.
• Keep one theme for the whole practice, such as first touch, so each game builds on the one before.
• Let players solve problems. Ask “what did you see?” before telling them the answer.

The 10 best U10 soccer drills

• Rondo 3v1The base of passing under pressure: help on both sides of the ball. U8 to U12.
• Receive across the bodyOpen up, take it on the back foot and play forward. U8 to U12.
• First touch gatesA first touch that goes somewhere, left or right. U8 to U12.
• Give-and-goPass, sprint past the defender and get it back. U8 to U12.
• 2v1 to goalMake the defender choose, then pass or keep going. U8 to U12.
• 1v1 defendingFast, then slow, side on, and show them one way. U8 to U12.
• Shoulder check colorsLook behind you before the ball arrives. U8 to U12.
• Four-goal gameTwo goals to attack, so players learn to switch to the open side. U8 to U12.
• Goalkeeper catching: W and basketSafe hands for every player, with soft underarm throws. U10 to U12.
• Build-out gamePlaying out from the goalkeeper, as 7v7 asks for. U10 to U12.

Example: Rondo 3v1

A 3v1 rondo is a keep-away game in which three players pass the ball around a small square while one defender in the middle tries to win it. It trains quick passing, support on both sides of the ball and a first touch away from pressure. See the full drill.

What to avoid with U10 players

• Laps, and fitness without a ball. Small-sided games give all the running they need.
• Lectures. Show the idea in a small game, ask one question and play again.
• Long lines at one goal for shooting. Use two goals and small groups.
• Picking one goalkeeper for the season. Rotate, so everyone learns to use their feet and hands.
• Booting the ball long from every goal kick. The build-out line is there to let teams pass.
• Heading. Players aged 10 and under do not head the ball, in games or in practice.
• Hard shots at young goalkeepers from close range.

U10 practice plans

• U10 soccer practice plan: first practice of the season60 minutes, with a clock table
• U10 soccer practice plan: passing and first touch60 minutes, with a clock table
• U10 soccer practice plan: 1v1 attacking and defending60 minutes, with a clock table

Questions about U10 drills

• How long should a U10 soccer practice be?

  60 to 75 minutes, according to US Youth Soccer’s coaching guidance. That is time for a small game to start, two practice activities and a longer game to finish.

• What should U10 players work on?

  First touch, passing and receiving in threes and fours, 1v1 and 2v1 in attack, 1v1 defending, and for everyone, the basics of goalkeeping.

• Can U10 players head the ball?

  No. In US youth soccer, players aged 10 and under do not head the ball in games or practice. Teach chest, thigh and foot control for high balls.

• What formation should a U10 team play?

  U10 teams play 7v7. Shapes such as 2-3-1 give every player a clear job, and our 7v7 formations page compares them.

Lessons to go with these drills

• Look, Then Turn or Return (7v7 lesson)Look for pressure before receiving. Turn into room or give the ball back.
• Step Out of the Blocked Lane (7v7 lesson)Move so the defender is no longer between you and the ball.
• Goal Kick & Build-Out Line (7v7 lesson)On our goal kick, the other team waits behind the build-out line. Once the ball is kicked and moves, they can come and press.
• Stay Between the Ball and Goal (7v7 lesson)Move with the attacker while keeping yourself between the ball and your goal.

Keep reading

• U6 soccer drills: fun games for 5 and 6 year oldsNine games for 5 and 6 year olds, a ball each, with what to avoid
• U8 soccer drills for 7 and 8 year oldsTen drills for 7 and 8 year olds: dribbling, 1v1, first passing and 3v3
• U12 soccer drills for 11 and 12 year oldsTen drills for 11 and 12 year olds: 4v2 rondos, possession, defending in pairs and finishing
• U10 first practice planA 60-minute plan for the first day
• U10 passing practice planRondos, a first touch and a four-goal game
• 7v7 soccer formationsShapes for U9 and U10 teams
• The build-out line in 7v7Why the other team backs off on a goal kick
• Heading rules for kids in the USNo heading at 10 and under
• All soccer drills for kids46 soccer drills and practice games for U6 to U12, each with a setup diagram, coaching points and the lesson it trains
• Soccer practice plans for kids12 ready-to-use soccer practice plans for U6, U8, U10 and U12, each with a clock table, equipment list and linked drills