Soccer drills U8

Complete U8 soccer sessions that you can apply to help your players progress during your sessions. Sign up to access all U8 drills.

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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 U8 drills

Small-sided games in 2v2 with goalkeeper in ascending-descending format

Small-sided games in 2v2 with goalkeeper in ascending-descending format

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

2v2 opposition where teams move up or down the field based on the result, with mini-goals or a stop-ball variation....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

14 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

4-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
One-two pass, dribble, and shooting from different angles

One-two pass, dribble, and shooting from different angles

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Very simple to set up, this drill allows for practicing short passing combinations before a 1v1 with a defender and a quick shot a...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

3-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run

Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Rhythmic workshop combining juggling, enforced sprinting, and a race to shooting in a duel with a competitive spirit....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

6-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
3 ways to score in a reduced 3v3v3 game

3 ways to score in a reduced 3v3v3 game

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Small-sided game with three teams where each group has a specific way to score, requiring quick decision-making and constant adapt...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

9-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
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
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What is the U8 category in soccer?


The U8 category corresponds to children aged 7-8 years. They play on fields adapted to their age, about 25x35 meters. Children in the U8 category play in a festival format and have training sessions just like players in other categories such as exercises for U9 or exercises for U7, even though these training sessions are often much more fun than other categories. At this age, prioritize fun U8 training exercises, which will allow U8 players to enjoy themselves while discovering some essential soccer concepts.

Make sure to keep these different notions in mind when setting up your U8 training sessions. Keep an eye on how you animate and prepare your U8 exercises: fun is a fundamental notion at this age, and it's up to you to convey your passion well.

The U8 category in soccer
is one of the first steps where young players begin to understand the basics of soccer while thriving in a fun environment. This article explores the characteristics of this category, the associated educational objectives, and practical advice for effectively coaching a U8 team.

What is the U8 category in soccer?


In the U8 category, children continue to play on reduced-size fields, adapted to their size and physical abilities

Matches are often played in small groups, usually with five players per team, sometimes six, to maximize each child's involvement. The goal is to allow each player to frequently touch the ball, actively participate in game actions, and begin to understand the basics of positioning and team play.

The objectives of the U8 category


The U8 category's main objective is to continue learning the technical basics of soccer, while reinforcing the love of the game among young players. The objectives are both technical, tactical, physical, and psychological.

On the technical side, it involves perfecting basic skills like ball control, dribbling, passing, and shooting. At this age, children are also encouraged to use both feet to play, which enhances their coordination and versatility on the field.

From a tactical point of view, children start to understand simple concepts like defense, attack, and positioning on the field. However, the focus is still on play rather than competition. The goal is to help them acquire basic game intelligence while maintaining a fun approach.

The physical objectives include developing general motor skills, coordination, speed, and endurance, all essential for preparing children for more intense sports practice in the coming years.

Finally, psychological and social aspects are also essential. The transition to U8 is a period where self-confidence, team spirit, and the ability to manage emotions, whether in victory or defeat, are strengthened. It is also important to instill values of respect, effort, and fair play.

Some tips for coaching a U8 team


Coaching a U8 team requires a clear understanding of the needs and abilities of children at this age. Here are some recommendations to optimize their learning while providing enjoyable moments on the field:
  1. Maintain the fun aspect: at this age, it is crucial that children continue to have fun. Integrating games and fun activities into training helps maintain their enthusiasm while developing their skills. For example, organizing exercises in the form of challenges or mini-competitive games can motivate them to progress;
  2. Vary the exercises: children aged seven to eight can quickly get bored. It is therefore important to vary exercises and game situations during a single session. This helps maintain their attention and interest while working on different technical and tactical aspects;
  3. Encourage initiative: at this age, it is beneficial to encourage children to make decisions on the field. Let them experiment, make mistakes, and learn by themselves. This approach promotes the development of their autonomy and understanding of the game;
  4. Value efforts: it is important to praise children for their efforts rather than focusing solely on results. Every progress, even minimal, should be encouraged to boost their self-confidence and motivation;
  5. Involve parents positively: as with previous categories, parents play a key role in their children's sports development. They should be encouraged to support their child without putting excessive pressure, emphasizing the joy of playing above all.

The U8 category is therefore a crucial period for young soccer players, where technical learning blends with the joy of the game. With clear objectives and an adapted coaching approach, children can develop their skills while nurturing their passion for soccer.

Our other U8 drills

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
1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support

1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support

U8 U9 U10 U11

A very simple duel exercise to set up, which allows your players, from a young age, to better understand the opponent's runs while...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

5-15
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
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Cognitive workshop with passing game on 4 squares

Cognitive workshop with passing game on 4 squares

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it allows for concentration and cognitive development while promoting ball use and movement in...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

9-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
Warm-up with the ball: sequence of passes in groups of 3 with opening

Warm-up with the ball: sequence of passes in groups of 3 with opening

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

A very simple drill to set up that allows you to work on a passing sequence while being attentive to the movements around you....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

10-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Exercise in the form of a predetermined passing sequence and dribbling with various possible variations. Perfect for youth soccer ...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
The hourglass: passing game and dribbling

The hourglass: passing game and dribbling

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Perfect for youth soccer training, the hourglass drill will help your players develop their passing and dribbling skills while var...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Technique
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Fun Warm-up: Dribbling and Ball Control in Tight Spaces

Fun Warm-up: Dribbling and Ball Control in Tight Spaces

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

A very simple exercise to set up that will allow young players to maximize their touches on the ball in a small space and under pr...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

10 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

5-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Passing circle: ball control, dribble, pass and follow

Passing circle: ball control, dribble, pass and follow

U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13

Ideal warm-up that allows players to get in condition with the ball while activating different muscle groups. Players work on thei...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-18
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
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