Soccer drills U7

Complete U7 soccer sessions that you can apply to help your players progress during your sessions. Sign up to access all U7 drills.

Access more drills

Ball Control in Youth Soccer with the Thieves' Game

Fun game to offer in soccer school, which will help work on dribbling while incorporating a team component with a relay system.

Animation: Ball Control in Youth Soccer with the Thieves' Game
Mark out a 20x20m square, where you will place 4 gates on each side. Then place a small square in the center of 5x5m. Form 4 teams of 3 players and place 12 balls within the small square. (see animation).

The objective of the 4 teams of thieves is to recover as many balls as possible and bring them back to their zone by passing through their gate. The exercise will proceed as follows:
  1. The 1st player of each team starts at your signal. He/She must get to the square as quickly as possible and then return dribbling with a ball into their zone. 
  2. Upon arrival, the 2nd player can start to perform the same route.
  3. The team that has brought the most balls into their zone at the end wins the round.
  4. Conduct several rounds depending on the number of players present.

Reminder: passing is prohibited, only dribbling is allowed.

Discover our U7 drills

Ball control and space occupation on 6 colored zones

Ball control and space occupation on 6 colored zones

U6 U7 U8 U9

Dribbling and space management exercise in an area filled with colored squares where players must combine changes of direction and...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

6-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Running, game awareness, and passing in a circle formation

Running, game awareness, and passing in a circle formation

U6 U7 U8 U9

Ball running exercise in a large circle, focused on game awareness, off-the-ball run by a teammate, and quick passing....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

10 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Dynamic Warm-up and Dribbling Relay

Dynamic Warm-up and Dribbling Relay

U6 U7 U8 U9

Progressive warm-up combining dynamic movements, dribbling, and competitive relays to prepare young players for the session....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Passing game with target zones in 4v4

Passing game with target zones in 4v4

U6 U7 U8 U9

4v4 game on a small-sided field where players score points by placing the balls into the opponent's target zones with precise pass...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-14
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Soccer School: Working on Dribbling with the Four Colors Game

Soccer School: Working on Dribbling with the Four Colors Game

U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

Very useful in soccer school, this drill is ideal for working on dribbling and changes of direction while adding a fun aspect....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.

What is the U7 category?


Children aged 6-7 years old play in the U7 category. They play their matches on fields adapted to their age, about 25x35m. Players in the U7 category play in a festival format, just like players in the U8 category or U9. The U7 training sessions are always centered around one key element: learning through fun. The playful aspect is therefore essential in the U7 exercises. At this age, prioritize fun U7 training exercises, which will ensure that your U7 players enjoy playing soccer while discovering some essential concepts: passing game, cognitive aspect, etc.

When preparing your U7 training sessions, keep these elements in mind, they will be very useful to you. The aspect of fun, as we mentioned, is very important at this age, so take the time to share your passion and ensure that your U7 players have fun during your training sessions.

The U7 soccer category, reserved for children under 7 years old, represents one of the first steps in this sporting adventure. This learning phase is crucial for the development of young players, both technically and personally. Let's explore what the U7 category is, its objectives, and how to best train these budding soccer players.

What is the U7 category in soccer?


The U7 category is part of the youth soccer categories where the focus is primarily on discovering the sport, the joy of playing, and developing basic technical skills.

At this age, children discover soccer in the form of a game, with simplified rules adapted to their physical and mental development level. Matches are generally played on smaller fields, with a reduced number of players (usually five versus five or four versus four) to encourage active participation from each child. 

The main objectives are to introduce young players to coordination, motor skills, and understanding the basics of soccer, such as ball control, passing, and movement, always remembering to warm up properly.

The objectives of the U7 category


The objectives in the U7 soccer category are not limited to technical training. They also encompass important social and psychological aspects. 

The first objective is to give children a positive experience of soccer, encouraging them to continue with the sport as they grow. It is essential that they enjoy playing, as this enjoyment will motivate them to continue.

On the technical level, the objectives include acquiring basic skills, such as ball control, dribbling, and passing. It is crucial to note that the emphasis is on learning, not competition. Winning or losing is not the priority at this stage. Coaches should focus on the participation of all children, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to touch the ball and be actively involved.

The development of social skills is also a key objective. Children learn to work as a team, respect the rules of the game, and interact positively with their teammates and opponents. These are fundamental values that transcend soccer and will accompany them throughout their lives.

Some tips for coaching a U7 team


Coaching a U7 team requires an approach tailored to the age and abilities of young players. Here are some tips for succeeding in this task:
  1. Prioritize fun and participation : the main goal is for each child to have fun and want to return to the field the following week. Organize fun training sessions with games that incorporate technical aspects of soccer but remain enjoyable and engaging;
  2. Adapt sessions to their level: exercises should be simple, short, and varied. Young children have a limited attention span, so it is crucial to change activities regularly to maintain their interest;
  3. Encourage and value: children at this age need constant encouragement. Praise them for their efforts, whether or not they succeed in executing a technical move. Positive reinforcement contributes to their self-confidence and desire to learn;
  4. Create a safe environment: young players need to feel safe on the field. This involves creating a climate where they know they will not be harshly judged for their mistakes. The goal is to help them progress without pressure;
  5. Involve parents: parents play an important role in their child's soccer experience. Involve them by informing them of the objectives of the U7 category and encouraging them to support their child positively.

The U7 category is a fundamental step in discovering soccer for young children. Coaches should focus on the joy of the game, the development of basic skills, and learning social values. With an adapted approach, children can develop a passion for soccer that will accompany them throughout their sporting life.

Our other U7 drills

The hunter in soccer school: dribbling and game awareness

The hunter in soccer school: dribbling and game awareness

U6 U7 U8 U9

Ideal exercise for younger players in soccer school, it will help them work on their dribbling while staying focused on their surr...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

4-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Switch of Play Game in Soccer School

Switch of Play Game in Soccer School

U6 U7 U8 U9

Fun game to introduce from a young age, it will help your players work on their focus, ball control, and information gathering....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Agility and Game Awareness: The Cone Drill in Soccer School

Agility and Game Awareness: The Cone Drill in Soccer School

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

Fun game to offer in soccer school, it will help your players work on important elements such as agility and information gathering...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

10 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

4-24
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Physical
Diamond play with ball control (youth soccer)

Diamond play with ball control (youth soccer)

U6 U7 U8 U9

A very simple exercise to set up, it is ideal for younger players in soccer school and will allow them to work on coordination, ba...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

10-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Collecting Cones: Feints and Agility in Soccer School

Collecting Cones: Feints and Agility in Soccer School

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

A small agility exercise to offer to younger players to work on their quickness and ability to deceive their opponents in small sp...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

4-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.

Shielding the King: Agility, Game Awareness, and Team Cohesion in Youth Soccer

Shielding the King: Agility, Game Awareness, and Team Cohesion in Youth Soccer

U6 U7 U8 U9

Fun exercise to propose in a soccer school, which will allow your players to work on agility and information gathering. Good team ...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

7-21
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School

Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

Fun exercise to offer in a soccer school that combines cognitive work (listening, information gathering) with technical work (drib...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Team relay with dribbling and acceleration

Team relay with dribbling and acceleration

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

This relay race exercise is very effective for working on dribbling from a young age. It is generally very popular with the player...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Soccer School: The "Leapfrog" Game with One Ball per Player

Soccer School: The "Leapfrog" Game with One Ball per Player

U6 U7 U8 U9

Motor skills and coordination are the focus of this fun game designed for younger players. It's ideal because it can be played whi...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Defensive recovery activity in 2v2

Defensive recovery activity in 2v2

U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

To be used in soccer school, and particularly with younger players, this drill will help work on 2v2 duels with a temporary numeri...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.

Ball Control in Youth Soccer with the Thieves' Game

Ball Control in Youth Soccer with the Thieves' Game

U6 U7 U8 U9

Fun game to offer in soccer school, which will help work on dribbling while incorporating a team component with a relay system....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Ball control as a team to fill your "bucket" (soccer school)

Ball control as a team to fill your "bucket" (soccer school)

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

Fun exercise to work on dribbling with younger players. Remember to keep score to create healthy competition....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

6-21
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Mobility and agility training with the "Around the World" exercise

Mobility and agility training with the "Around the World" exercise

U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

With a circle made up of a few cones, you will enable your players to work on their focus, mobility, and quickness. This exercise ...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

6-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Physical
Ball collection and "prison" game (soccer school)

Ball collection and "prison" game (soccer school)

U6 U7 U8 U9

This fun game exercise will allow your players to work on their dribbling, keep their heads up, and position themselves correctly ...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-12
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Ball Control with the “River and Its Crocodiles” in Soccer School

Ball Control with the “River and Its Crocodiles” in Soccer School

U6 U7 U8 U9

A fun game ideal for younger players, this exercise will help your players work on dribbling as well as various cognitive aspects ...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-12
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.

The game of "musical balls" in soccer school

The game of "musical balls" in soccer school

U6 U7 U8 U9

This fun game is ideal in soccer school to work on spatial awareness, ball control, and the reactivity of young players. Progressi...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

5-15
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
The "stop / go" with rhythm work in soccer school

The "stop / go" with rhythm work in soccer school

U6 U7 U8 U9

For U6-U7 players, this exercise is ideal for helping your players understand the importance of not rushing and properly timing th...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

6-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
The River Goalkeepers: Dribbling and Duels in Soccer School

The River Goalkeepers: Dribbling and Duels in Soccer School

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

Ideal exercise in soccer school to work on dribbling and familiarize players with duels in a fun way with the famous "river keeper...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

5-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Hunter game with perception and coordination work (soccer school)

Hunter game with perception and coordination work (soccer school)

U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12

Ideal hunter exercise in soccer school, using visual cues to enhance cognitive perception among young players. A very fun drill th...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Working Triangle: Passing Angle and Layoff (Soccer School)

Working Triangle: Passing Angle and Layoff (Soccer School)

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11

A very simple drill to set up in a soccer school that allows players to work on passing from different angles with a one-touch lay...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

2-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.

Ball Control and Triangle Play in Soccer School

Ball Control and Triangle Play in Soccer School

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Fun dribbling workshop ideal for soccer school with triangular zones and defenders who will do everything to touch the attackers....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Square of passes and directional controls

Square of passes and directional controls

U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 U14

Simple yet effective, this square drill used by Pep Guardiola with FC Barcelona's B team is ideal for starting a session. The vari...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

10 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

4-12
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.