warm-up U10 soccer drills

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

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4-player passing sequence with scanning

Ideal for youth soccer, this exercise, seemingly very simple, will allow your players to work on their awareness and passing quality.

Animation: 4-player passing sequence with scanning
Using cones, set up triangles of approximately 15m per side, so that the triangles overlap. Then form teams of 4 players: 1 player at each cone and the last player at the first cone (with the ball).

The sequence will proceed as follows:
  1. The 1st player A will play to the 2nd player B.
  2. The latter controls, then plays to the 3rd player C.
  3. C controls and then makes a pass to the 4th player D, and so on.
  4. A takes B's place, B takes C's place, and C returns to the starting point.

Progression

Once the sequence is well established, you can offer several variations to your players:
  • Change the direction of play arbitrarily in the middle of the sequence.
  • Add double one-two passes after each pass to make the exercise even more challenging.
  • Modify the position of the cones to create even more “crossing” between the players.

Very simple in appearance, this exercise is ideal for working on game awareness, due to the placement and overlapping of the different triangles. The game awareness in this exercise centered around a passing sequence will help players better read ball trajectories and anticipate the movements of their opponents as well as those of their teammates.

Discover our warm-up U10 drills

Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball

Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball

10 min
5-15 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U15
Diamond passing sequence incorporating a short layoff, a one-two pass, a switch of play, and a pass into the run to attack the depth....
4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players

4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players

10 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
4v4+1 possession exercise where the team in possession must connect their corner players by making a minimum number of passes in the central area....
Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4

Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
Perfect warm-up exercise to work on information gathering before, during, and after the pass. It will require your players to be attentive to their surroundings while emphasizing the technical aspect of passing....
Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares

Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares

12 min
9-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it allows for concentration and cognitive development while promoting ball use and movement in space....
Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering

Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering

10 min
9-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
This exercise is quite simple to set up but is highly appreciated by players during a warm-up in a session with a technical focus....
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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.
Collecting Cones: Feints and agility in youth academy

Collecting Cones: Feints and agility in youth academy

15 min
4-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U6 - U11
A small agility exercise to offer to younger players to work on their quickness and ability to deceive their opponents in small spaces. A very fun game that players enjoy!...
Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School

Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School

15 min
8-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U6 - U11
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!...
4-player passing sequence with scanning

4-player passing sequence with scanning

12 min
12-24 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U15
Ideal for youth soccer, this exercise, seemingly very simple, will allow your players to work on their awareness and passing quality....
Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play

Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play

15 min
7-19 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
This drill, structured as a passing sequence with a double triangle, is perfect for working on alternating between short passing game and direct play. The team chemistry will be on point!...
Working triangle: passing angle and layoff (Youth academy)

Working triangle: passing angle and layoff (Youth academy)

15 min
2-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U6 - 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 layoff and numerous variations....
Ball control and triangle play in youth academy

Ball control and triangle play in youth academy

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U6 - U13
Fun dribbling drill ideal for soccer school with triangular zones and defenders who will do everything to touch the attackers....
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

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - 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....
One-two pass game on a square of 4

One-two pass game on a square of 4

12 min
4-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
Ideal for a warm-up or technical drill in a soccer school, this passing exercise will allow you to implement numerous variations and add your personal touch....
Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
Drill in the form of a predetermined passing sequence and dribbling with various possible variations. Perfect for youth soccer or as a warm-up....
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 - U13
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....
Passing circle: ball control, dribble, pass and follow

Passing circle: ball control, dribble, pass and follow

12 min
8-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
Ideal warm-up that allows players to get in condition with the ball while activating different muscle groups. Players work on their first touch, dribbling, and passing....
Heading practice in double circle (warm-up with ball)

Heading practice in double circle (warm-up with ball)

10 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
Ideal warm-up exercise to improve heading accuracy and overall coordination. We recommend it as a warm-up, and you can also use it during technical skill work....
Warm-up: team ball possession

Warm-up: team ball possession

20 min
10-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U15
Ideal warm-up drill to practice team ball retention, focusing on movement and passing accuracy....
Warm-up: Directional ball control on the ground

Warm-up: Directional ball control on the ground

15 min
4-8 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
Comprehensive warm-up exercise to improve your players on various types of directional control and work on passing in youth soccer training....
Technical warm-up: directional control and pass

Technical warm-up: directional control and pass

12 min
3-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
Through a sequence of directional control and pass, this exercise, ideal for warm-up, works on ball mastery while being simple to set up....
Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing

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

10 min
10-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
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....
Passing and directional control work

Passing and directional control work

9 min
3-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U14
Work on passing and directional control with this simple yet incredibly effective drill!...