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Free practice plan · Ages 11–12 · 9v9 · 2-3-3A U12 practice plan for 9v9:
Play Through the Lines
The last year before the full pitch is the time to learn the pass that breaks a line. Ninety minutes, twelve to sixteen players, from a two-player gate to a 9v9 game. Every activity here is free on this site, with its own page and an animated video.
- Disguise it: look one way, play the other.
- Receive side-on between two defenders.
Bring: Ball each, flat cones, pinnies in three colors, 2 goals.
Your job: Count passes through a line, not passes.
The session, minute by minute
Split the Gate
RondoA 12x12 with two defenders standing as a gate in the middle, 3 yards apart. Four attackers on the sides. A pass through the gate is three points. Around is one. The gate players may move sideways together but not forward. Six passes without a split still scores one. Players start as they arrive.
HarderThe gate closes to 2 yards.
If it stallsNobody trying the split? Only splits count for a minute.
5v2 With a Link
SharpenA 12x12 with four attackers on the sides and one attacker inside as the link. Two defenders. A pass into the link and out to a different side is worth two. Around the outside is one. The link has two touches; the outside players have three. Change the link every minute. Run it for ten minutes, then add the first progression.
HarderThe link has one touch.
If it stallsLink marked out of the game? Let the link move outside for a pass and back in.
Pocket Rondo
SolveA 15x12. Three lines of cones split the area into thirds. Four attackers on the ends, one in the middle third, three defenders in the middle third. Score by passing from one end player to the other through the middle third. The pocket player may receive and lay off, or let it run. Defenders win: everyone changes. Run it in rounds and change who is in the pocket.
HarderThe pocket player must touch the ball in every scoring move.
If it stallsPocket never open? Make the middle third two yards wider.
The game: through the lines
Play9v9 in the 2-3-3. A goal counts double if the move included a pass to a player between the lines. Short of players? Play even teams on a smaller field. The rule stays the same. Water comes before this block, never in the middle of it.
Our goal kick
Set pieceBacks to the corners of the box, center mid shows in the middle, wide players high and wide. The keeper plays the free one. Walk it twice, then play it live against two pressers.
Shorter session?
With 75 minutes, halve Sharpen. With 60, skip it and run Rondo, Solve, Play and the set piece. Never cut Play.
Match day: what to watch for
Three things to look for from the touchline:
- Do we look wide before we play through?
- Does the receiver stand side-on between two defenders?
- Do we play it when the defender’s back is turned?
Questions coaches ask
What does playing through the lines mean?
Passing between defenders to a teammate beyond them, instead of around them. The through-the-lines guide goes deeper.
What if nobody tries the split?
Only splits count for a minute.
What if the pocket is never open?
Make the middle third two yards wider.
More free practice plans
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.