technical U8 soccer drills
technical U8 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the technical aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsDribbling under pressure: "The Robbers"
Fun game to offer in soccer school, which will help work on dribbling while incorporating a team component with a relay system.
Discover our technical U8 drills
Give-and-go, dribble, and shooting from different angles
15 min
3-18 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U13
Very simple to set up, this drill allows for practicing short passing combinations before a 1v1 with a defender and a quick shot against the goalkeeper....
Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run
12 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U13
Rhythmic drill combining juggling, enforced sprinting, and a race to shooting in a duel with a competitive spirit....
Ball control and space occupation on 6 colored zones
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
Dribbling and space management exercise in an area filled with colored squares where players must combine changes of direction and quick information gathering....
Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game
12 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U7 - 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
15 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U8 - 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 keeping their heads up to look for a solution....
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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.
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:
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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.
The hunter game (youth academy): dribbling and game awareness
12 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
Ideal drill for younger players in soccer school, it will help them work on their dribbling while staying focused on their surroundings. It's up to you to make the exercise as dynamic as possible by incorporating the concept of a chaser....
Switch of play game in youth academy
12 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
Fun game to introduce from a young age, it will help your players work on their focus, ball control, and information gathering....
Diamond play with ball control (youth soccer)
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
A very simple drill to set up, it is ideal for younger players in youth academy and will allow them to work on coordination, ball control, and passing game....
Team relay with dribbling and acceleration
15 min
12-16 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U11
This relay race exercise is very effective for working on dribbling from a young age. It is generally very popular with the players!...
Youth academy: The "Leapfrog" Game with One Ball per Player
12 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
Motor skills and coordination are the focus of this fun game designed for younger players. It's ideal because it can be played while adhering to social distancing rules....
Dribbling under pressure: "The Robbers"
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
Fun game to offer in soccer school, which will help work on dribbling while incorporating a team component with a relay system....
Dribbling as a team to fill your "bucket" (youth academy)
15 min
6-21 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U11
Fun drill to work on dribbling with younger players. Remember to keep score to create healthy competition....
Ball collection and "prison" game (youth academy)
15 min
8-12 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
This fun game drill will allow your players to work on their dribbling, keep their heads up, and position themselves correctly in space....
Dribbling with the “River and Its Crocodiles” in youth academy
12 min
8-12 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
A fun game ideal for younger players, this drill will help your players work on dribbling as well as various cognitive aspects such as perception and decision-making....
The "stop / go" with rhythm work in youth academy
15 min
6-16 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U9
For U6-U7 players, this exercise is ideal for helping your players understand the importance of not rushing and properly timing their movements. Many variations are possible....
The River Goalkeepers: dribbling and duels in youth academy
15 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U11
Ideal drill in soccer school to work on dribbling and familiarize players with duels in a fun way with the famous "river keepers"....
Hunter game with perception and coordination work (youth academy)
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U7 - U12
Ideal hunter exercise in soccer school, using visual cues to enhance cognitive perception among young players. A very fun drill that players generally enjoy....
The hourglass: passing game and dribbling
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U13
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....
Square of passes and directional controls
10 min
4-12 joueurs
Technical
U7 - U14
Simple yet effective, this square drill used by Pep Guardiola with FC Barcelona's B team is ideal for starting a session. The variations are then endless....
Other theme U8 soccer drills
U8 Conditioning soccer drills
- Mobility and agility training with the "Around the World" drill
- Agility and game awareness: The cone drill in youth academy