dribbling U10 soccer drills

dribbling U10 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the dribbling aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals

A very dynamic game that involves various cognitive aspects, it is ideal for working in a fun way through a possession exercise followed by progression with shooting on mini-goals.

Animation: 4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
Mark out a field of about 30x30m and place 4 gates and 4 colored goals on each of the 4 sides of the field (see animation). Then form 2 teams of 4 players.

The exercise starts with a 4v4 opposition with the objective of making at least 3 passes before dribbling through one of the colored gates. This passage will then unlock the goal of the same color and will be followed by a 4v4 with the objective of scoring on the small goal.

If the opposing team recovers the ball, they will proceed in the same way and will have to unlock a mini-goal by dribbling through one of the colored gates.

Here are some possible progressions for this type of exercise:
  1. Limit the number of touches to 2 touches.
  2. Give a direction of passage within the gates (inside vs outside)
  3. Limit the number of passes to be able to score in one of the goals
  4. Allow passing through multiple gates to unlock multiple goals at once.

Progression 2: define a direction of passage in the gates
Progression 2: define a direction of passage in the gates

Discover our dribbling U10 drills

Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1

Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1

10 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U11
Series of 1v1 duels where the attacker must read the defender's choice by going through the same colored gate before going to shoot on goal....
Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team

Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U10
Duel between two teams where one creates a sequence of dribbles through colored gates that the other must replicate without error to score points....
Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game

Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game

12 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U11
Very useful in soccer school, this drill is ideal for working on dribbling and changes of direction while adding a fun aspect....
1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support

1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support

15 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U8
A very simple duel exercise to set up, which allows your players, from a young age, to better understand the opponent's runs while keeping their heads up to look for a solution....
Receiving on the half-turn and dribbling with the "escape from jail" drill

Receiving on the half-turn and dribbling with the "escape from jail" drill

12 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U10
Fun little station to set up in a youth academy that will allow your players to work on directional control and dribbling....
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 What is the U10 category in soccer?


The U10 category includes children aged 10 and under and is a very important category in the development of cognitive and technical skills. The U10 players' category holds a special place in their development and soccer awakening. Beyond a symbolic age, it still marks a period of transition and deepening of fundamentals for young players. Both in the way of approaching this sport and in the management of training sessions, a certain preparation is necessary as a U10 coach.

To best assist you in structuring your training sessions, managing young players, or choosing exercises, here is a quick guide on the subject.

The objectives of the U10 category


The objectives of the U10 category go beyond learning the basic rules of soccer, already acquired in previous years. The goals at this age are to strengthen the few technical skills of young players, such as ball control, passing, and shooting, while beginning to develop their tactical awareness of the game. 

Similarly, keep in mind that emphasis should still be placed on team play and the fun aspect in how training sessions are structured. This can be achieved through games at the end of sessions and exercises outside of soccer. As a U10 coach, you will need to be creative, while best instilling the values of soccer and developing each player's qualities.

Some tips for coaching a U10 team


Coaching a U10 team requires a balance between skill development, keeping young players focused during the session, and promoting the enjoyment of the game. Here are some essential tips for coaches:

  • Adopt a positive teaching approach: Constantly encourage players, focusing on their progress and efforts rather than victories. This helps build their confidence and motivation.
  • Focus on technical skills: Ensure that each training session includes basic exercises to improve ball control, passing, dribbling, and shooting (from close, mid-range…)
  • Introduce basic tactics: Start teaching simple formations and different roles and positions on the field. Use games and activities that encourage players to think about their positioning and movements on the pitch.
  • Promote team play: Team spirit becomes more present in U10 teams, with young players developing a stronger sense of belonging.

What training exercises for U10s?


U10 training exercises should be designed to improve both individual skills of each player while emphasizing the basics of team play. The U10 soccer category exercises are varied and cover several themes: technical workshops, initial tactical aspects, passing work, shooting, etc.

Lacking inspiration in structuring your training sessions? Here is a list of exercises to help you: 
  1. Technical courses: Create courses with cones to practice dribbling, ball control, and changes of direction. This improves ball mastery and coordination.
  2. Triangle or square passing games: These games help develop passing accuracy, quick decision-making, and off-the-ball play.
  3. Mini-matches: Organize matches in small groups (3 vs 3 or 4 vs 4) to encourage interactions and understanding of team play. This also allows applying technical skills in a match context.
  4. Shooting workshops: Set up specific exercises for shooting, focusing on technique before power. Vary angles and distances to encourage accuracy.
  5. Agility and information gathering - the cup stealing game in soccer school: this fun exercise will help your players improve key skills like speed and decision-making.
  6. Scenario-based games: Use games that simulate specific match situations to teach decision-making and basic tactics.
Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School

Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School

15 min
8-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U7 - U6
Fun exercise to offer in a youth academy that combines cognitive work (listening, information gathering) with technical work (dribbling and agility). It is very popular with young players!...
Team relay with dribbling and acceleration

Team relay with dribbling and acceleration

15 min
12-16 joueurs
Technical
U7 - U6
This relay race exercise is very effective for working on dribbling from a young age. It is generally very popular with the players!...
Dribbling as a team to fill your "bucket" (youth academy)

Dribbling as a team to fill your "bucket" (youth academy)

15 min
6-21 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U8
Fun drill to work on dribbling with younger players. Remember to keep score to create healthy competition....
The River Goalkeepers: dribbling and duels in youth academy

The River Goalkeepers: dribbling and duels in youth academy

15 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U11
Ideal drill in soccer school to work on dribbling and familiarize players with duels in a fun way with the famous "river keepers"....
Diamond passing circuit with give and go variation

Diamond passing circuit with give and go variation

18 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U10
Passing sequence in a diamond shape with off-the-ball run and dribbling, this drill will allow your players to primarily work on their passing quality and movements before and after receiving the ball. Numerous variations are possible....
Ball control and triangle play in youth academy

Ball control and triangle play in youth academy

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U6 - U9
Fun dribbling drill ideal for soccer school with triangular zones and defenders who will do everything to touch the attackers....
Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U11
Drill in the form of a predetermined passing sequence and dribbling with various possible variations. Perfect for youth soccer or as a warm-up....
The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling

The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling

15 min
8-24 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U9
Fun exercise ideal for soccer school (from U11 to U13), it will allow your players to work on dribbling while keeping their heads up. Several variations are possible for this drill....
4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals

4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals

20 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U11
A very dynamic game that involves various cognitive aspects, it is ideal for working in a fun way through a possession exercise followed by progression with shooting on mini-goals....
Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel

Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel

15 min
4-14 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U11
This exercise is quite simple to set up and will allow your players to work on dribbling and improve their concentration level, while fostering a healthy competitive spirit....
The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making

The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making

12 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U13
Ideal animation game in soccer school to work on dribbling with decision-making. This exercise will allow your players to progress in a fun way....
The hourglass: passing game and dribbling

The hourglass: passing game and dribbling

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U9
Perfect for youth soccer training, the hourglass drill will help your players develop their passing and dribbling skills while varying the angles and surfaces of the foot used....
Fun Warm-up: Dribbling and Ball Control in Tight Spaces

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

10 min
5-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U9
A very simple drill to set up that will allow young players to maximize their touches on the ball in a small space and under pressure. Perfect for the start of a session....
Motor skills and ball control to improve footwork and balance

Motor skills and ball control to improve footwork and balance

12 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U9
Excellent exercise to improve footwork and balance for U11 or U13 players. Use the competitive spirit to create enthusiasm....
Ball control in varied situations and combined shooting

Ball control in varied situations and combined shooting

12 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U12
By requiring your players to use both feet and different contact surfaces in various situations, this drill is ideal for working on dribbling and ball control, as well as shooting in succession....
Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing

Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing

10 min
10-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U9
Through a simple sequence of control-dribble-pass, this exercise, ideal for warm-up, allows players to work on the basics while staying in motion....
Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot

Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot

15 min
8-14 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U15
Practice crosses with this easy-to-set-up drill that allows for good rotation when you have a large number of players....

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