Under 9 Soccer Drills, Games, and Exercises

Quality age-appropriate soccer drills for kids in the U9, Under 9, 9 and Under age group.

Soccer drills for kids ages 9 and under emphasize skill development and game awareness through fun and engaging activities. This page offers drills designed to improve ball control, passing accuracy, and teamwork in a supportive learning environment.

Age-Specific Drills

Hard

Dribbling with Speed,Recognizing When to Dribble

This dribbling soccer drill will help players recognize when to make runs and get comfortable making those runs with speed.

9+ yrs. 12 players 20 mins. 20X50 yds. GK: no

4.06 75,494 Chris Johnson

EASY

Power and Finesse with a Twist

The power and finesse shooting and finishing soccer drill focuses on being comfortable while striking long shots as well as close range shots, volleys, and headers.

9+ yrs. 6+ players 20 mins. 25X25 yds. GK: yes

4.04 228,969 Chris Johnson

EASY

Down and Back Dribbling Game

This drill is most effective with young players just learning to dribble. This drill teaches players to dribble in high traffic, high-pressure situations while staying in control. It's a great warm-up to focus on controlling the ball with all parts of the foot.

4-10 yrs. 6+ players 10 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no

4.04 253,868 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

4v4 Playing Wide Out of the Back

This drill is designed to get players to play balls wide when playing from the back, the defensive third of the field. Players recognize that they find more time and space on the outsides of the field and they are relieving the center of the pitch from dangerous play.

9+ yrs. 8 players 20 mins. 40X25 yds. GK: no

4.04 201,331 Chris Johnson

EASY

Dribbling Warm-up Drill

This soccer dribbling exercise is an excellent dribbling warm-up drill that will get players many touches on the ball in a short time.

4+ yrs. 4+ players 10 mins. 10X20 yds. GK: no

4.04 199,880 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Team Tactics Dribbling in the Attacking Third

This soccer attacking drill is a great team tactic dribbling drill that focuses on when and where to dribble in the attacking third.

9+ yrs. 14 players 20 mins. HALF FIELD yds. GK: yes

4.04 85,313 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

1v1 to Multiple Goals (Dribbling)

This 1v1 soccer drill is an excellent drill for focusing on teaching players attacking skills such as taking on their opponent or learning to attack space. Defensively it will teach players the responsibility of man-marking.

4+ yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no

4.04 124,561 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

2v2+1 (2 vs. 2 plus target attacker)

This 2v2+1 soccer drill is a great situational game that focuses on numbers up attacking situations or numbers down defending situations.

9+ yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 30X40 yds. GK: yes

4.03 126,122 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

3v1 Early Support

This 3v1 soccer drill focuses on supporting the player with the ball, early support, moving without the ball, proper supporting angle, and good distance of support.

9+ yrs. 6 players 15 mins. 12X24 yds. GK: no

4.03 118,380 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Circle Keep-Away Passing Game

This keep-away game is a fun passing exercise for younger players that focuses on the passing game while playing keep away.

6-14 yrs. 6+ players 10 mins. 10X10 yds. GK: no

4.02 288,009 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

4V4 With 5 Goals Inside The 18

This 4v4 finishing drill is one of my favorite soccer finishing drills as it works on every aspect of finishing inside the 18-yard box. This drill focuses on soccer finishing skills such as chipping, crossing, heading, finishing and composure in the 18.

9+ yrs. 9+ players 20 mins. 20x40 yds. GK: yes

4.02 236,640 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Jam-Packed Soccer Dribbling Drill

The Jam-Packed Soccer Dribbling Drill will give players confidence while dribbling through congested areas on the soccer field.

8-14 yrs. 5+ players 15 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no

4.02 246,485 Chris Johnson