CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #1
Introduce yourself to the kids and go over a few key points that you expect from them. During the
first Activity stop and stretch every few minutes. Have them hold each stretch for a count of 15. You will
want to stop and stretch a few times during the 1st activity all year. Take water breaks between activities.
Diagram/Coaching Points
st
1 Activity (Warm up) Go Fish
Each player stands in a circle around the coach with soccer ball
held out in their hands. The coach randomly grabs balls and X
tosses the ball in all directions for each player to bring back. X X
Choose a method for the players to bring the balls back. Right X C X
or left foot, Inside or outside, sole of foot.
Progression: Two players with one ball must bring ball back X
together. Passing with hands/feet. Using only hands, elbows,
tummies, backs, or heads.
Groups of three or Four to a ball. Same.
2nd Activity Numbers Game
Have all the balls in a pile next to the coach. Two teams of C
equal numbers stand at each end of a 20 x 25 yard field of play.
Give each player a number 1,2,3,4… on each team. Coach calls X O
out “3” and number 3 from each team play 1 v 1. When the ball X O
goes out or is scored call a new number.
X O
Progressions: Call multiple numbers from each side so they can
play 2 v 2 or 3 v 3. X O
X O
Coaching Points: Encourage them to act quickly. Remember in
a game other defender will be coming.
3rd Activity Barrel Ball
Split into two teams. Take a trash can or just the top of one and
place it in the center of a 15 x 20 yard grid. Coach stands on X
sideline with a supply of balls one team on each side in a line. XXXX O
The coach kicks a ball out into the grid and calls out “one” or
“two”. That number is the number of players from each team C
that enter the grid and try to hit the barrel. Play until a goal or
ball goes out of the grid. Players must touch ball one time OOOO
before shooting. Coach should vary how ball goes in. Give a
chance to weaker players by starting ball more on their side.
4th Activity Knock Out
Coaching Points: Encourage players to look around
Make a circle big enough for everyone to dribble around. When while dribbling and shield their ball.
everyone is dribbling coach yells “Knock Out”. Players try to
knock other player’s balls out of the circle while protecting
theirs. Have a line of cones set up for the players to dribble
before they can return to the circle.
Quickly explain the basic rules (goal kick, corner kick, kick off, throw in and free kicks).
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8 minutes
and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #2
After the 1st Activity sit your players down and explain the mechanics of passing the ball. Remember
the five keys to passing: 1) inside of foot 2) lock ankle 3) heal down/toe up 4) follow through toward
target. 5) plant foot (non kicking foot) points at target.
Diagram/Coaching Points
1st Activity Sharks and Minnows
Make a 20 X 25 yard grid. Choose one or two players to be C
Sharks. These players will wait in the center of the river (the M
grid). The rest of the player (minnows) will stand at one end of
the river with their soccer balls. When the coach yells cross the M S
river, the minnows will try to dribble from one side of the grid to M
the other. If the shark kicks anyone’s ball out of the river they M
become a shark for the next round. Have the players dribble back S
and forth, one round at a time, until everyone is a shark. Start M
over; making sure that everyone gets a chance to start off as a M
shark.
2nd Activity Passing (read top of page)
Have players in groups of 3 with 2 balls per group. Have two of
the players facing each other 20 to 25 yards apart each with a X X X
soccer ball. The third player stands between them with no ball.
On the coaches command the player in the middle runs to either X X X
side to receive a pass and pass it back to that player with 2
touches. He then turns and checks to the other player to receive X X X
and play that pass back. Play for about 1 minute and rotate player
in the middle. X X X
2nd Round: Have player in the middle receive with one foot and
pass with the other. 3rd round: Player in the middle can pass back
with one touch.
3rd Activity Pac Man/Woman
Players are in a confined area, running around without balls. One
Coaching Point: This is a passing drill not a shooting drill. Players
player (Pac Man) has a ball. . On the coaches command the Pac
should be using the inside of the foot, not the toe. Players who
Man/Woman tries to pass their ball so that it hits one of the
continue to kick ball up high must sit out.
players below the knees. When a player is hit they go to the
coach to get a ball and become another Pac Man. Continue until
everyone has a ball.
4th Activity Passing Gates
X
Make 5 gates in a large area. Each gate is two cones about 3 X
yards apart. Have the players pair up with a ball. Players have X
one minute to see how many times they can pass the ball to each X
other through a gate. They can’t go through the same gate twice X
in a row. Play several rounds. X X
Coaching Points: This game is to help change the point of attack.
Stop the game when everyone bunches around one gate and point
out how open the other gates are.
X
Part 2: Split player into 2 teams. To score a point a player must
past the ball through a gate and have a team mate receive it on the
other side. Play games to five points.
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8 minutes
and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #3
After the first Activity sit the players down for a shooting clinic. Shooting keys; 1) Lock ankle
down. 2) Approach the ball from a slight angle. 3) Strike ball with instep or shoe laces 4) follow through
towards target. 5) Last thing you see must be the ball.
Diagram/Coaching Points
st
1 Activity Juggle Warm Up
Coaching Points: After the first round change players
Have the players pair up with a ball. The players juggle for 2
around to make partner of equal ability.
minutes alternating each time the ball hits the ground. The
player who juggles the most (one try not total) wins the round.
Second round have the ball bounce once, and only once,
You can have losers do toe touches or tap dances.
between kicks.
Other rounds- thighs only, 1st juggle with head. Finish with
freestyle and watch the improvement over the first round.
2nd Activity Basic shooting
Make two lines 20 yards from the goal. The coach is about 5 XXXX
yards away between the players and the goal. Alternating shots
each line does a give and go with the coach and shoots on goal.
One line is for left footed shots the other for right. Players C
change lines after each shot. Have goalie roll ball to the outside O
and place a cone out wide on each side for them to dribble
around on the way back to line, keeping them out of the middle. XXX X
3rd Activity Goal Kick 1v1
Set a ball on each side of the small box in front of the goal, YYYY
where the goal kicks are taken from. Have player X take a
goal kick toward the outside of the field. Place a line of
cone in the center of the field to show them where not to X
kick it. Have your other players (Y) in a line about 15
yards away near the sidelines. Player Y receives the ball
GK
and play 1v1 with player X. When the play is over use
player Z to do the same thing on the other side. Alternate Z
back and forth. YYY
You can use a goal keeper if you have a full size goal to
use.
4th Activity Back to Back Jack
Make two teams. Place two goals back to back in the center of O O
the field. Each team has one goal that they defend and one that
they shoot into. Play one game where goalies can throw it over X X X
the top and one where they can’t. X X O
Progression: Can place cone 15 yards from each goal. Players O O X O
must take ball out to that cone before they can go to goal.
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8
minutes and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #4
Don’t feel that you have to get every activity in each week. If something is going good, no need to
rush through it. Make sure you always leave plenty of time to scrimmage. Although the drills are good
coaching tools nothing beats playing the game.
Diagram/Coaching Points
1st Activity (Warm Up) Ball Stealing
Coaching Points: Stress shielding. (keeping your
Make a 20x20 yard grid. Split the team into two groups and put one
team in colored vests. Each player with a vest has a ball and starts in the body between the ball and the opponent)
grid. The other team stands outside the grid with no soccer balls. On
the coaches command the team without vest rushes into the grid and Players from the same team can work together to steal
tries to steal the opposing teams soccer balls. The objective is to see balls.
which team has the most balls at the end of 30 seconds. That team gets
a point. First to three wins. Rotate who starts
with the balls.
Progression: Same thing but, remove one of the soccer balls. This will
create some passing and 2v1 situations. Next round, remove another
ball.
2nd Activity Gates
Make 4 to 5 gates in a large grid. Use 2 cones about 1 yard apart X
to make each gate. Have the players run through as many gates
as possible in 30 sec. (no ball) Split into 2 groups so one can rest X
while the other is running the gates. Players can not go through
the same gate twice. Have the player try to beat their own score
each time. C X
OOOO X
Progression: After about 3 times add soccer balls and continue.
3rd Activity Gates II
Using the same set up as above make 2 teams and have them race
1 v 1. The players will start in two lines next to you off the field
and you tell them a random number (1 to 5) of gates to go XXX O
through. First player to get through that number and return gets a C X
point for that team. OOO
Progression: For the last game have each player go through all
the gates in relay race style.
4th Activity 1v1 same goal
Have all the players stand in 2 lines behind the goal. The coach stands XXXX
between the teams with a supply of balls. The coach throws the ball
over the goal and the first player in each line plays 1v1. Both players
are trying to score in the same goal. If someone scores that team get a C O X
point. When the ball goes out a new ball is thrown in and 2 new players
play 1v1. Try to set the lines up so players go against equal OOOO
components.
Progression: Place a second goal at the other end of the field. Throw
the ball out and the first player to touch the ball tries to score in the
initial goal (where the coach and players are) and the other player tries
to take the ball from him and score in the other goal.
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8 minutes
and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #5
After the 1ST activity sit your players down for a quick clinic on receiving the soccer
ball. There are only 3 key points and they all deal with the same mechanics as passing. 1)
Inside of the foot 2) lock ankle 3) heal down toe up.
Diagram/Coaching Points
1st Activity (Warm up) Everyone vs. Everyone X O
Set up several small gates in the playing area. Give half to three-quarters
X O
of the team a ball. Players with a ball try to dribble through as many of the
small gates as they can. Players without a ball try to steal a ball from
someone who has one and then they try to score. Play multiple games and
allow everyone to have a chance to beat their own score. X O
X X
2nd Activity Shuttle Pass
Spilt team into 2 groups. Have each group in a straight line about
10 yards apart with one ball. The player with the ball passes to the
other line and run to back of that line. That player will then receive
and do the same. Each player must use two touches. One to
receive and the other to pass. To get more touches play 2 games at XXXX X XXX
once.
Progression: After 4 minutes have them receive with one foot and
pass with the other. After 4 minutes have them try one touch. (must
pass the ball softer to do one touch)
3rd Activity Draw
Everyone needs to pair up and each pair needs a ball. The partners should X X
face each other arm length apart with the ball between. Both players are
running in place. When the coach says “Draw” the players try to be the X X
first to step on the ball and pull it towards them for a point. Play to 5
points and then switch partners. X X
Round 2: Place a goal on each side of the field. The player that wins the X X
draw now tries beat his opponent and score on the goal on the opposite
side of the field.
4th Activity Circle Pass
Split the team into three groups. Make a large circle and have 2 groups X X
around the outside with balls and the other group in the middle, with no
balls. Place a few cones in the center. On the coach’s command, the X O X
players in the middle must run to player on the outside. That player passes
them a ball. The player in the middle must receive the ball and pass it
X
O
back. The player in the middle must then run around a cone in the middle
and check to a different player on the outside. After about 1 minute rotate
the players in the middle. X X
Progression: Round two have the players in the middle receive with one O
foot and pass with the other. Round three have the players in the middle X
pass it back with one touch.
The most important thing to watch for when receiving is heel down toe up. When the toe is down it
creates a ramp for the ball to roll over the foot or pop up in the air. Make sure player cushion harder
passing by giving with their foot as the ball comes to them. (Like an egg/water balloon toss)
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8 minutes
and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #6
After the first activity sit the players down for a quick clinic on shielding the soccer ball. Keys to
Shielding; 1) Keep you body between the ball and the opponent. 2) Feel the defender and roll off them
the other way. 3) Use you upper body to hold the defender off, arms out away from body with elbows
bent (not striking or swinging elbows, just holding opponent away). 4) Shielding is not taking the ball
and running away. They need to stay in a small area and hold off the defender.
Diagram/Coaching Points
st
1 Activity Dribble Warm-up
Coaching Points: Player must dribble with head up to
Each player has a ball and dribbles around in a large circle. As they
dribble around give different dribbling instructions. Right foot only, avoid collisions. Switch commands about every 30
left foot only, alternate right and left, use only outside of either foot. seconds. Stop and stretch intermittently
On your command have them; stop, accelerate three steps, turn with
the sole of the foot and accelerate in the opposite direction.
2nd Activity 1 v 1 Shielding
Have the players pair up with a ball. Start with the ball in a Coaching Point: Although it may not look like it,
neutral position. (back to back with ball between them). When this drill is exhausting. Give proper time to
you say “go” they go for 20 seconds of shielding. Who ever has recover between games.
the ball when you say “stop” gets a point. Go best of 3 and
change partners.
3rd Activity Ball Stealing
Make a 20x20 yard grid. Split the team into two groups and put one Coaching Points: Stress shielding. (keeping your
team in colored vests. Each player with a vest has a ball and starts in body between the ball and the opponent)
the grid. The other team stands outside the grid with no soccer balls.
On the coaches command the team without vest rushes into the grid
Players from the same team can work together to steal
and tries to steal the opposing teams soccer balls. The objective is to
see which team has the most balls at the end of 30 seconds. That team balls.
gets a point. First to three wins. Rotate who starts
with the balls.
Progression: Same thing but, remove one of the soccer balls. This will
create some passing and 2v1 situations. Next round, remove another
ball.
4th Activity Balls Galore
C
Two teams in a 20 x 25 yard grid with one goal at each end.
The coach stands at the midfield line with all the balls. Throw X O
out 2 to 3 balls at once and let them play each ball until it goes O
out or in the goal. Keep throwing balls in to keep 2 to 3 in play X X O
at all times. When out of balls collect them and start again. X
O
X O
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8 minutes
and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #7
Remember to periodically stop a stretch during the first activity.
Diagram/Coaching Points
st
1 Activity (Warm up) Four passes = a goal
Split players into two teams. Team gets a point when they Coaching Point: Make sure players spread out, 5 to 7
make four consecutive passes without the other team getting yards from each team mate.
the ball. Start count over every time possession changes.
2nd Activity AROUND THE HORN
Each player starts in a box with a ball. Boxes are 7 to 10 yards
away from each other. When the coach say “go” all four X X
players make one lap, going through each box. When the
player gets back to the box they stated in they turn into the
middle and try to knock the ball off the cone in the middle.
First player to knock the ball off gets a point. For bigger or
smaller groups add boxes. Anywhere between 3 and 6.
Progressions:
-Go in opposite direction.
-Players can stop at the box they started in and try to knock X X
center ball off with a pass from their box.
3rd Activity Look out!
X X X X X
Make a box 20 x 20. Put half the players on one line and half on
the other. On the coaches command have the players dribble to the
other side and back, all at the same time. This will cause all the
X
players to arrive at the intersection at the same time and have to avoid
contact with each other. X
After a few trail runs have them race to see who can get back first. X
Yell STOP, from time to time. The players must stop with the ball
X
at their feet. Last 2 players to stop the ball must go back to the
furthest person in their group. This will help the player keep the ball
near them while dribbling. X
4th Activity Outta There
In a 20 x 25 yard grid with a goal at each end, play 2v2. The XXX C OOO
coach stands on the centerline with a supply of ball and a line
of players on each side. The first 2 players in each line get on
the field. The coach throws out a ball and they play 2v2. O
Every time the ball goes out of play the coach throws a new X
ball in. If a team scores they stay on and the other team X O
leaves. The first person in each line jumps on the field to
replace that team. If neither team score in 1minute both team
are “outta there” and 4 new player jump on the field. This
should be a very fast paced game.
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8 minutes
and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
CCSA U9/U10 Training Session #8
I like to end the season with activities that the kids enjoyed the best. Leave them
wanting more.
Diagram/Coaching Points
1st Activity (Warm up) Pac Man/Woman
Players are in a confined area, running around without balls. One
Coaching Point: This is a passing drill not a shooting drill.
player (Pac Man) has a ball. . On the coaches command the Pac
Players should be using the inside of the foot, not the toe.
Man/Woman tries to pass their ball so that it hits one of the players
Players who continue to kick ball up high must sit out.
below the knees. When a player is hit they become another Pac Man.
Continue until everyone has a ball.
2nd Activity Numbers Game
Have all the balls in a pile next to the coach. Two teams of
equal numbers stand at each end of a 20 x 25 yard field of play. C
Give each player a number 1,2,3,4… on each team. Coach calls
out “3” and number 3 from each team play 1 v 1. When the ball X O
goes out or is scored call a new number. X O
Progressions: Call multiple numbers from each side so they can X O
play 2 v 2 or 3 v 3.
X O
Coaching Points: Encourage them to act quickly. Remember in X O
a game other defender will be coming.
3rd Activity Back to Back Jack
O O
Make two teams. Place two goals back to back in the center of
the field. Each team has one goal that they defend and one that X X X
they shoot into. Play one game where goalies can throw it over X X O
the top and one where they can’t.
O O X O
Progression: Can place cone 15 yards from each goal. Players
must take ball out to that cone before they can go to goal.
4th Activity Knock Out
Make a circle big enough for everyone to dribble around. When
everyone is dribbling coach yells “Knock Out”. Players try to
knock other player’s balls out of the circle while protecting X
theirs. X
X
Have a line of cones set up next to the circle. The players that X X X
get knocked out must dribble the line of cones before they can
return to the circle. You can also say they must juggle 5 times
X
before they can return.
XX
Try to save 20 minutes to scrimmage at the end of practice. No subs. Play 6 to 8 minutes
and have a water break. Mix up the teams, if necessary, and play again.
Hot Potato
XXXX
Make 2 squares 7 x 7 yards large and about 8 yards apart. One player
stands in each square. One player passes the ball from his grid into
the opponent’s grid. (Must go through front 2 cones). That player must
receive the ball keeping it inside his square and pass it back in two
touches. First person to make a mistake goes to end of line with a new
player coming in that square. Every time you knock someone out of X X
the other grid it is a point. Play 5 minute games.
-Ball can not travel from one grid to the other in the air.
-Have 2 games going on at once.
Rapid Fire
Everyone in line has a ball except the first players “X”. On the DCB A GK
coaches command player “X” sprints around a cone 20-25 yards out
and turns toward the goal. As he turns, player “A” passes the ball to
him for a first time shot. Player “X” must retrieve his ball and return
to the back of the line. After Player “A” makes the pass he must run
around the cone and take a shot from a pass from player “B”. As the
title suggest this should be rapid with one shot coming after another.
Have a cone set up 12 yards from the goal. The players cannot shot
from inside this mark. X
First to the Ball
Have two lines with the coach in between. The coach throws
balls out and the first player in each line tries to win the ball and
score on a goal directly in front of them. The player must touch
the ball at least twice (can’t shoot on first touch) XXXX
C
Activity teaches how to win 50/50 balls. OOOO
Coaching points: Have players step in front of opponent to cut
them off and force defender to slow down and go around him to
get ball. Have the player that gets to the ball first take the first
touch away from the defender before shooting. Give theses
points after a few minutes so they can see the difference.
6 Goal Game
Split into 2 teams in a 30 x 40 yard grid. Each team has 3 goal X
to score in and 3 goals to defend. Use small goals, 2 cones O
about 2 yards apart for each goal. X O
X O
This is a transition game. Stop the play when the players are
trying to force the action into one goal the other ones are wide X O O
open.
X X O
Additional Activities