Small-sided games and choosing the free space: football session U10+

All U10+ sessions

The player on the ball finds decisions easier when they spot the open direction and a teammate offers an option. In this session, players first watch their partner's movement, then choose an attacking direction in a small-sided game. Finally, they try the same things in a normal game.

U10+ is a guideline starting age. Players should be able to make a short pass, control the ball and restart small-sided games. Add a new rule only when the previous task is going well.

U10+ · 60 min

Spot the free direction in a small-sided game

Bring balls, bibs, cones in two colours and small goals or cone goals. Set up two goals marked in different colours at each end of the playing area. Start with an area of about 25 x 20 metres, for example, and adjust the space to the game format. Form small groups and keep the same task on parallel pitches. The times include instructions, breaks and transitions.

Open the complete plan without signing in. Adjust the timings and notes for your team.

Passing and movement in pairs · 10 min

Make pairs and give each pair a ball and their own space. Start with short passes. The passer moves to a new position, the receiver controls the ball and looks for their partner. Try looking at the partner's movement before the ball arrives. If players are left over, one group works as a three: the passer moves and the next player on the ball picks the free receiver. Add space if passes cross.

3v3 to different colored goals · 20 min

Set up two goals marked in different colours at each end, as in the picture. Play 3v3 or adapt to 2v2 on a smaller area. In this version, teams have their own ends to defend. At first, players can score in either goal at the opponent's end. When the game is going well, show a colour: only the goal of that colour at the opponent's end counts. Change the colour at breaks only at first. No goalkeepers. After a goal, the other team restarts from their own end. After the ball goes out, the coach gives a new ball in a free spot on the pitch. Play with one ball only. Ask where the free goal was before the player received the ball. To make it easier, go back to two allowed goals.

Game: Ball Quickly into Play · 10 min

Continue the small-sided game with the same four goals, with both goals at the opponent's end allowed. This is a four-goal adaptation of the bank drill. Place spare balls outside the pitch. The team restarting from the touchline takes the nearest ball and passes it into play. After any other ball out of play, the opponent restarts from the nearest line. After a goal, restart from your own end. Defenders give space, and only one ball is in play. Leave out the three-second rule. Watch whether the player off the ball offers a teammate an option on the free side.

Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4) · 15 min

Switch to one normal goal at each end. Play the small-sided game without goalkeepers or extra conditions. After a goal, the other team restarts from their own end. After the ball goes out, the opponent passes in from the nearest line. Defenders give space. Players may dribble, pass and shoot freely. Watch whether players find a new direction or passing option when an opponent is in front of them. Rotate players between short periods.

Group finish · 5 min

Ask what helped them notice the free side and how a teammate's movement helped the player on the ball. Collect the equipment. Write down one observation for next time.

Instructions and editable plan: coachtruly.com/blog/u10-small-sided-games-and-space. CoachTruly plan. Background source: The FA, How to support technical/tactical development.

Look before you receive the ball

football drill: Passing and movement in pairs — Passing and movement in pairsView Drill →

The partner's movement gives the passer a new target. The receiver can glance at the movement before the ball arrives. Start calmly and over a short distance. If players lose control of the ball, let them stop it before the next decision.

Choose a goal and offer an option

football drill: 3v3 to different colored goals — 3v3 to different colored goalsView Drill →

There are two goals of different colours at each end. In this variation, each team defends its own end and attacks the opposite one. At first, players can score in either goal. This gives them the chance to change direction if one route closes.

Add the colour signal only in the next stage. Only the goal of the announced colour at the opponent's end counts. Change the colour at a break first and make sure the players know the target. Changing the colour during play is a later progression.

During a break, ask what the player saw before receiving the ball. Do not direct every pass from the touchline. The player off the ball can move sideways so that a teammate sees them and can pass.

Start play without a long wait

football drill: Game: Ball Quickly into Play — Game: Ball Quickly into PlayView Drill →

Keep the same four goals, but allow both goals at the opponent's end again. This differs from the two-goal picture in the bank. Spare balls speed up restarts. Leave out the three-second rule so the player has time to notice a teammate's position. Only one ball may be in play at a time.

Return to the normal game

football drill: Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4) — Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4)View Drill →

Switch to one goal at each end. Do not limit the number of passes or touches. Watch whether teammates still offer an option and whether the free side is noticed without the colour signal.

Adapt for your group

3v3 is a game format, not a requirement for the whole group. A smaller group can play 2v2. If players are left over, use short rotations. Set up more pitches like this only if you can supervise them. If the colour rule takes attention away from the game itself, remove it and let both goals be available.

Coaching background source

The FA's How to support technical/tactical development covers varied game situations and building game understanding according to players' readiness. This is CoachTruly's own plan using drills from our bank. The goal rules, group splits and schedule are adaptations made for this plan.

Open the plan to edit it or print the instructions for the pitch. Choose another U10+ session.