Football Practice Ideas for U10+: Passing, Finishing, Games and Movement
In U10+ training, finishing, ball handling and playing games continue. Alongside them you can add passing, helping a teammate and simple shared decisions. Movement, coordination and speed are still developed through play and games.
Here are four plans of about an hour each. Choose one based on what the group needs right now. The times include instructions, breaks and transitions. Every on-pitch section can be opened from the drill library, and the whole plan can be edited without logging in.
U10+ is a guideline starting age. Players' experience decides what kinds of instructions they can use in a game. If dribbling and shooting still need a lot of time, the U8+ sessions also suit an older group that is just starting out.
- Passing and movement
- Finishing and 2v1
- Small-sided games and open space
- Speed, coordination and physical training
Passing and movement
Choose this when short passing and receiving the ball go well, but the player stays still after passing. The session looks for a new position where the ball can be received back. Movement practised in pairs is taken into an end zone game and finally into a free game.
U10+ · 60 min
Passing and movement
Find a new position after passing. A variation for a group that already handles short passing and controlling the ball.
- Game: Ball Quickly into Play10 min
- Passing and movement in pairs10 min
- 3v3 with goal areas15 min
- Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4)20 min
- Team wrap-up5 min
Open the complete plan without signing in. Adjust the timings and notes for your team.
Finishing and 2v1
Choose this when you want to combine shooting with attackers working together. The player with the ball looks at the defender and decides whether to go forward alone or pass. The aim is to get to a finish. A pass is not required when the player's own route is open.
U10+ · 60 min
Finishing and teamwork in a 2v1
Dribble towards goal, notice the defender's choice and decide alone or with a teammate.
- Follow the leader10 min
- Shooting Rally10 min
- Progression 2v120 min
- Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4)15 min
- Shared finish5 min
Open the complete plan without signing in. Adjust the timings and notes for your team.
Small-sided games and open space
Choose this when the group already knows the basic rules of a small-sided game and can practise spotting several attacking options. Two goals at the opponent's end encourage players to look at which side has space. The colour rule is a later progression that can be left out.
U10+ · 60 min
Spot the free direction in a small-sided game
Look before receiving the ball, offer a teammate an option and choose the open goal.
- Passing and movement in pairs10 min
- 3v3 to different colored goals20 min
- Game: Ball Quickly into Play10 min
- Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4)15 min
- Group finish5 min
Open the complete plan without signing in. Adjust the timings and notes for your team.
Speed, coordination and physical training
Choose this when you want time for running, reacting, braking and changes of direction. The game warms players up, short accelerations allow recovery between attempts, and finally the same movement is combined with the ball. The physical aim of this session is controlled, varied movement.
U10+ · 60 min
Quick start and controlled change of direction
Practise movement in a game, react to a signal and use a change of direction with the ball.
- Tail Tag10 min
- Speed and reaction with marker discs10 min
- 1v1 to Four Gate Goals15 min
- Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4)20 min
- Group finish5 min
Open the complete plan without signing in. Adjust the timings and notes for your team.
Add difficulty one thing at a time
A new theme does not replace skills learned earlier. Players still need plenty of touches on the ball and chances to score goals. Add teamwork or a rule only when ball handling and the basic idea of the task are going well.
Show one example and let the players try. Ask one question during a short break. If a player has to remember many instructions at once, remove some of them. A forced pass and a touch limit are not the starting point of these plans.
Adapt to the group, space and coaches
The plans do not require a particular number of players in the team. Game formats such as 2v1 and 3v3 describe the structure of a single situation. Repeat the activity for small groups in similar areas, and change the starters after short turns.
One coach keeps the same task in parallel areas. Add areas only as far as you can manage. Between speed attempts, the player gets to recover. In the game sections, short periods leave time to drink and change roles.
Sources and using the plans
At the end of each session page there is a FIFA Training Centre or The FA source related to the theme. The plans are put together from CoachTruly's own drill library activities. The durations, group splits and variations are our own choices. The sources are not an endorsement of the plans or of the U10+ label.
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You can find more options in the football drill library.