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Free activities · Ages 8–9U9 soccer drills
Ages 8 and 9, 7v7
U9 is where positions start. The field is big enough to hold a shape, so the first job is learning one: a keeper, two backs, three midfielders and a striker in a 2-3-1. These come from the first four weeks of the travel curriculum, when the team learns its shape and starts playing out of the back.
The game at U9
Keepers, offside and the build-out line all arrive at U9. There is no heading. Leagues can vary, so check yours.
Field sizes and rules by age ›The 2-3-1 for 7v7 ›What age group is my child in? ›
U9 practice plans
Two full sessions for the first 7v7 season. The U10 plan is drawn for the same format, so it works here too.
Practice plan · 90 minLearn your spot (U9)The first 7v7 season: learn the 2-3-1 and find your spot.
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Practice plan · 90 minPlay out of the back (U9)Every ball starts with the keeper, using the build-out line.
Open the plan ›Practice plan · 90 minGet big (U10)A free 90-minute U10 soccer practice plan, minute by minute.
Open the plan ›U9 rondos
4v1 · 10 minFour-Line RondoA 10x10 with one attacker on each side line and one defender inside. Attackers may slide along their own line but not leave it.
Open the activity ›4v1 + helper · 10 minColor-Call Rondo4v1 in a 10x10 with a helper walking the outside holding up a colored cone. The receiver has to call the color before the first touch.
Open the activity ›U9 possession and passing drills
Pairs · 20 minWide GatesCone gates scattered 12 to 15 yards apart across a 30x30. In pairs, pass through a gate to your partner, then both run to a new gate.
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4v4 · 25 minChannel Game4v4 to mini goals on a 35x30 with a five-yard channel down each side. One attacker at a time may be in a channel and nobody may tackle them there.
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Pattern · 20 minAround the ShapeCones laid out in your team shape on half a field, one player per cone.
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5v5 + GKs · 25 minHome Zones5v5 plus keepers on a 40x30 split into back, middle and front bands.
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Threes · 20 minShoulder-Check LinesThrees in a line, ten yards apart.
Open the activity ›U9 playing out of the back
GK + 3 v 2 · 25 minBeat the First PressHalf a field with a goal. Keeper, two backs and a center mid build against two pressers, with three cone gates on the halfway line.
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1v1 + server · 20 minBounce or TurnA server twelve yards from a receiver with a shadow defender behind, either tight or loose.
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GK + 5 v 4 · 25 minOut and OverA 45x35 with a halfway line.
Open the activity ›U9 warm-ups
Questions coaches ask about U9
What format do U9 players play?
U9 players play 7v7 on a field 55 to 65 yards long and 35 to 45 yards wide, with 6.5 ft by 18.5 ft goals and a size 4 ball. Keepers, offside and the build-out line all arrive at U9. There is no heading. Leagues can vary, so check yours.
How long should practice be for a U9 team?
Ninety minutes. Every session in the travel book runs the same five blocks: rondo, sharpen, solve, play and a set piece. Shorter session? Sharpen is what goes.
What is the build-out line?
A line that gives the keeper and backs room to play the first pass. Offside is judged from it rather than halfway. It is part of 7v7 at U9 and U10, and it goes away at 9v9.
Twenty-four sessions, twelve match days, one habit at a time
The Full Season Travel Curriculum for ages 9 to 12 is twelve weeks built around six team habits, every game drawn at 7v7 and 9v9, with a match-day page every week, the 30-minute game-day warm-up and an animated video of every activity.