Under 11 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises

Quality age-appropriate soccer drills for kids in the U11, Under 11, 11 and Under age group.

Under 11 Soccer Drills Games and Exercises

Soccer drills for 11-year-olds focus on advancing technical skills and tactical understanding of the game. This page offers drills that improve ball control, passing, and positioning while fostering teamwork and strategic thinking.

Age-Specific Drills

Goalkeeper Footwork Exercise with Hurdle MEDIUM

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.

9+ yrs. 1+ players 10 mins. 10X10 yds. GK: yes
0 15,957 Chris Johnson
2v1 with Keepers MEDIUM

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.

9-14 yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 30X15 yds. GK: yes
Breaking Ball Combination Drill MEDIUM

Breaking Ball Combination Drill

This drill teaches players how to play accurate breaking balls into space and make well-timed runs to receive them. Players will work on combination play through quick 1-2 passes, then focus on the weight and timing of through balls. The receiving player learns when to make their run and how to time it with the pass. This drill builds the connection between passer and runner that's crucial in breaking down defenses during games.

9+ yrs. 6+ players 20 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no
0 1,945 Chris Johnson
4v4+2 Endzone Possession Game MEDIUM

4v4+2 Endzone Possession Game

This drill develops players' ability to keep possession under pressure while moving the ball quickly and effectively. Players learn to scan the field, find open teammates in different zones, and make smart decisions about when to pass and when to dribble. The endzone players teach awareness of supporting options behind the defense. Neutral players on the sides create overloads that mirror real game situations. Players work on their first touch, receiving skills, and passing accuracy while constantly moving to create passing lanes. The progression from simple possession to scoring through the endzones builds complexity as players improve.

10+ yrs. 12+ players 20 mins. 12x20 yds. GK: no
3v1 Rondo EASY

3v1 Rondo

This drill builds the foundation of possession soccer by teaching players how to keep the ball in tight spaces. Players learn to create good angles of support, move intelligently without the ball, and position their bodies correctly when receiving. The small grid forces quick decisions and sharp passing. Attackers practice opening their hips to see the whole field and using their back foot to receive passes smoothly. The drill teaches deception through body feints and eye contact that mislead the defender. Players develop the speed and accuracy needed to move the ball before pressure arrives. The consequence of becoming the defender when you make a mistake keeps everyone focused and accountable. This simple but effective drill appears in training sessions from youth levels all the way up to professional teams.

9+ yrs. 4+ players 10 mins. 5X5 yds. GK: no
0 2,280 Chris Johnson
5v3 Switching Rondo MEDIUM

5v3 Switching Rondo

This drill trains players to recognize when possession is lost and react instantly by switching fields of play. The attacking team learns to keep the ball under pressure in tight spaces while the defending team works on winning possession and immediately playing forward. The switching element teaches players to read the game and anticipate transitions. Players must communicate who stays and who goes when the switch happens, building decision making skills under pressure. The numerical advantage for attackers creates confidence in possession while defenders learn to press intelligently when outnumbered. Moving between grids forces players to stay mentally engaged even when they're not directly involved in the current action. This back and forth rhythm mirrors real games where play shifts from one area of the field to another.

9+ yrs. 10 players 20 mins. 12x24 yds. GK: no
4v2 Double Grid Dribble to Penetrate Medium

4v2 Double Grid Dribble to Penetrate

This drill builds the courage to dribble forward and the vision to combine once you get there. Most young players learn to keep the ball. Fewer learn when to carry it into space on purpose. Here, attackers hold a 4v2 advantage in one grid until a gap opens. Then one player has to make a bold read: drive the ball across open space into a second group and keep the play alive. It is a great tool for coaches who want players who dribble with a purpose, not just to beat a defender for the sake of it. Along the way, players practice supporting angles, scanning before the ball arrives, and staying patient in tight numbers-up possession. Add pass or touch restrictions once players get comfortable, and this drill turns into a real tactical test of speed of play and decision-making under pressure.

12+ yrs. 11 players 25 min. 12x36 yds. GK: no
2v1 Two-Grid Possession Rondo Drill Hard

2v1 Two-Grid Possession Rondo Drill

This drill sharpens your team's ability to keep the ball under pressure and use support. Two attackers face one defender in a tight grid. That is a real test of quick touches and quick thinking. When the defender wins the ball, they looks to link with his own attacker in the next grid to keep his team involved. Your attackers must think fast too. They can use the player in the next grid as an out ball, but that player only gets one or two touches. This forces sharp first touches, quick scanning, and constant movement to support the ball. It is a great drill for players who need work on tight combination play, fast decisions, and staying composed under pressure.

12+ yrs. 6 players 20 min. 8x12 yds. GK: no