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

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

4.04 254,007 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

4.04 201,523 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

4.04 200,480 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 85,424 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

4.04 124,686 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

4.03 126,278 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

4.03 118,577 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

4.02 288,510 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

4.02 237,033 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

4.02 246,629 Chris Johnson

MEDIUM

Traffic Jam Dribbling Game

This game is just out right fun! The kids will have a blast playing this game. This drill is ideal for kids who know how to dribble but just need to learn to get their heads up and dribble under the pressures of mere congestion.

4-12 yrs. 8+ players 15 mins. 30X30 yds. GK: no

4.02 204,408 Chris Johnson

EASY

The Passing Name Game Warm-up

The objective of this soccer drill is to help young players improve the speed of play by thinking a step-ahead of the play.

4-12 yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no

4.02 139,520 Chris Johnson