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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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Practice 2: Defending 1v1

A session which focuses on the basics of 1v1 defending – protecting space, closing down and tackling. Use this session as a standalone ac...

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Small-sided game: Defending 1v1

A session which focuses on the basics of 1v1 defending – protecting space, closing down and tackling. Use this session as a standalone ac...

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Practice 1: Defending 1v1

A three-part session which focuses on the basics of 1v1 defending – protecting space, closing down and tackling.

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Practice 4: Dribble to beat a player

Develop an attacker’s ability to take on a defender in a creative way, with turns added to the mix.

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Practice 3: Dribble to beat a player

Develop an attacker’s decision-making and identifying the right times to take risks in 1v1s.

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Practice 2: Dribble to beat a player

Develop an attacker’s ability to take on a defender who is approaching them from the side.

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Practice 1: Dribble to beat a player

Develop an attacker’s ability to take on a defender who is directly in front of them and then shoot.

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Small-sided game: Through the thirds

Develop your players’ ability to play through a crowded midfield with this three-part session.

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Warm-up: Through the thirds

Develop your players’ ability to play through a crowded midfield with this session.

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Passing and receiving

A possession-based practice to develop players’ passing, receiving and movement skills.

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Warm-Up: Defending in our half

A three-part session focusing on defensive principles and developing defensive techniques.

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Flexible practices - an example

Tweaking a core idea can open up many possibilities when it comes to session planning. Here’s an example...

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Goals, goals, goals

Give players the chance to score from varying distances and using different kinds of shot. By MIKE VINCENT

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Warm-up: Passing with purpose

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

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Practice: Passing with purpose

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

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Small-sided game: Principles of pressing

Allow players to practise pressing in a game-realistic environment.

Trusted by thousands of coaches

Volunteer coach

You volunteered to coach but have no coaching experience or qualifications. You’re short of time and could benefit from being told what to ...

more

Travel / ODP coach

You’ve been coaching a while but are looking for ideas and inspiration to help you take your team to the next level.

more

High School coach

You’re looking for an extra edge in the pursuit of excellence and will do whatever you can to help the players in your care be successful ...

more

Director of Coaching

You manage a team of coaches who rely on you for coaching plans and advice. You could benefit from finding a reliable resource to help them ...

more

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Practice: Principles of pressing

This practice develops some of the key elements around pressing in a structured game.

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Warm-Up: Principles of pressing

Introduces some of the key elements around pressing.

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Find the colour

In this activity, your players will get lots of touches and work on dribbling into space.

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1v1, 2v2, 3v3

Allow players to express themselves and work in small teams in a fun, quick practice.

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Warm-up: 'Sharks' and 'fishes'

This fun session develops players’ 1v1 skills and increases confidence on the ball.

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Practice: 'Sharks' and 'fishes'

This fun three-part session develops players’ 1v1 skills and increases confidence on the ball.

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Small-Sided Game: 'Sharks' and 'fishes'

This fun three-part session develops players’ 1v1 skills and increases confidence on the ball.

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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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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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Trusted by thousands of coaches

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Coaches' Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach

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