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U8 Soccer Drills and Games

What to Expect at U8

At U8, players are developing confidence on the ball and learning basic skills like passing, shooting and dribbling.

But the priority is still simple: Keep sessions fun, active and easy to follow.

How to Coach U8 Players:

Keep instructions short
Use games over drills
Give lots of touches
Focus on enjoyment

Recommended drills to try at your next session

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Dribble or pass?

This foundation-phase game allows players to develop both passing and dribbling skills.

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Four-goal game

A chaotic and fun arrival game, emphasising teamwork, awareness and speed of thought.

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Small-sided game: Passing with purpose

Encourage players to be adventurous and create angles in this three-part session plan.

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Warm-up: Staying on the ball

Allow your players to develop confidence and technique in this three-part session.

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Passing with speed

A simple exercise to encourage young players to work on their possession so they can dictate the play at pace.

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Practice 1: Overloads for goals

This session provides players with overload situations that will give them opportunities for them to practice their finishing. Use this s...

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Practice 2: Overloads for goals

This session provides players with overload situations that will give them opportunities for them to practice their finishing. Use this s...

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Take your turn

Use this activity to get your players confident at using different types of turns with different parts of the foot.

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Small-sided game: Staying on the ball

Allow your players to develop confidence and technique in this three-part session.

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Practice: Staying on the ball

Allow your players to develop confidence and technique in this three-part session.

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Warm-up: Staying on the ball

Allow your players to develop confidence and technique in this three-part session.

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Warm up: Pressing and covering

This three-part session develops players’ awareness of pressing and covering as a unit.

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Small-sided game: Changing course

Switch up the pace and direction of play, with emphasis on the technical skills of dribbling.

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Practice: Changing course

Switch up the pace and direction of play, with emphasis on the technical skills of dribbling.

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Warm-up: Changing course

Switch up the pace and direction of play, with emphasis on the technical skills of dribbling.

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Christmas characters

Players select a festive-themed name and then battle for the ball during 1v1s, 2v2s or 3v3s in this exciting game.

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Pack the sleigh

A festive activity giving players lots of touches, a chance to practice their passing and encouraging teamwork.

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The keeper keeps it

Teach your goalkeeper to play the ball out with their feet and start attacks from the back.

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Warm-up: Recover and regroup

This session develops players out-of-possession, working on delaying, denying and dictating.

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Practice 2: Mastering the basics

This three-part session introduces receiving, passing, turning and communication.

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Practice 1: Mastering the basics

This three-part session introduces receiving, passing, turning and communication.

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Warm-up: Staying in control

Challenge your players’ first touch with this variable and opposed session, split into three parts.

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Practice: Staying in control

Challenge your players’ first touch with this variable and opposed session, split into three parts.

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Warm-up: On the receiving end

This three-part session will develop your players’ ability to receive the ball, ready to shoot.

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Practice: On the receiving end

This three-part session will develop your players’ ability to receive the ball, ready to shoot.

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Small-sided game: On the receiving end

This three-part session will develop your players’ ability to receive the ball, ready to shoot.

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Small-sided game: Individual possession

Develop young players’ confidence in staying on the ball in this practice. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with ...

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Practice: Individual possession

Develop young players’ confidence in staying on the ball in this practice. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with ...

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U8 Soccer Drills and Games

What to Expect at U8

How to Coach U8 Players:

Recommended drills to try at your next session

Search or browse our library of drills

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