Every youth coach knows the frustration: you set up a passing drill, and within minutes the balls are flying everywhere, players are chatting, and you’re wondering if anyone is actually improving.
The problem isn’t your players. It’s that most passing drills aren’t designed for how U10s actually learn.
These 10 drills progress from simple technique builders to game-realistic scenarios. Each one has been tested with hundreds of U10 players, refined based on what actually works, and organised so you can pick the right drill for your session’s purpose.
Before You Start: The U10 Passing Reality
At U10, players are transitioning from “bee swarm” football to understanding positions and teamwork. Their passing needs to develop alongside this understanding.
What U10 players can realistically achieve:
- Consistent short passes (5-15 yards)
- Basic receiving with an open body
- Simple decision-making (pass or dribble)
- Beginning to look before receiving
What’s still developing:
- Long-range passing accuracy
- First-time passing under pressure
- Complex combination play
- Weak foot consistency
Design your sessions around what they CAN do while gradually stretching into development areas.
Drills 1-3: Foundation Technique
Drill 1: Partner Passing Gates
Setup: Pairs of players, 10 yards apart, with a cone gate (2 cones, 1 yard apart) between them.
Activity: Players pass through the gate to their partner. Count successful passes through the gate in 2 minutes.
Coaching Points:
- Inside of foot contact
- Non-kicking foot pointing at target
- Follow through towards partner
- Celebrate accuracy, not power
Progression: Narrow the gate, increase distance, add a touch limit.
Why it works: The gate gives players a specific target rather than “just pass to your partner.” It builds accuracy habits from day one.
Drill 2: Triangle Passing
Setup: Groups of 3, positioned in a triangle (5-7 yards apart). One ball per group.
Activity: Pass around the triangle. After passing, the player must move to a new position within the triangle shape.
Coaching Points:
- Open body position before receiving
- Check shoulder before ball arrives
- Pass and move immediately
- Communication (“yes!” when ready)
Progression: Add direction changes on coach’s call, limit touches, add a defender in the middle.
Why it works: Introduces the critical “pass and move” habit while keeping the pattern simple enough for U10s to maintain.
Drill 3: The Numbers Game
Setup: Groups of 4-6 in a circle, each player numbered. One ball in the group.
Activity: Player 1 passes to Player 2, who passes to Player 3, and so on. After your pass, jog to a new position in the circle.
Coaching Points:
- Know who you’re passing to BEFORE you receive
- Call the number as you pass
- Receive across your body to face your target
- Keep the pattern flowing
Progression: Reverse the order randomly, add a second ball, require one-touch passing.
Why it works: Develops scanning habits - players must find their target before receiving. This translates directly to match awareness.
Drills 4-6: Adding Movement and Pressure
Drill 4: Pass and Follow
Setup: Two lines facing each other, 15 yards apart. Ball starts with front player of one line.
Activity: Pass to the opposite line, then follow your pass and join the back of that line.
Coaching Points:
- Firm pass along the ground
- Sprint after your pass
- Receiver takes a touch to set the next pass
- Keep the rhythm flowing
Progression: One-touch only, add a turn before passing back, make it a race between two groups.
Why it works: Simple pattern that U10s quickly understand, building the instinct to move after passing rather than standing and watching.
Drill 5: Piggy in the Middle (3v1)
Setup: 3 attackers around a 10x10 yard square, 1 defender in the middle.
Activity: Attackers keep possession. If the defender wins the ball or it goes out, swap with the player who lost it.
Coaching Points:
- Move to create passing angles
- Support on two sides (don’t hide behind the defender)
- Play quickly when the angle is open
- Body position open to see all options
Progression: Limit touches, shrink the space, add a second defender (4v2).
Why it works: The most game-realistic drill for U10s. Every pass matters, and players experience real pressure while having numerical advantage.
Drill 6: Passing Squares Race
Setup: Two identical squares (10x10 yards) with a group in each. Players start on corners.
Activity: Pass around the square as fast as possible. First team to complete 20 passes wins. Ball must go to every corner in sequence.
Coaching Points:
- Quality over pure speed (bad passes slow you down)
- Receive ready to pass
- Encourage teammates
- Move the ball quickly but accurately
Progression: Require two-touch maximum, add movement (follow your pass), change direction mid-race.
Why it works: Competition drives intensity while the structure maintains technical focus. U10s love racing.
Drills 7-9: Game-Realistic Scenarios
Drill 7: End Zone Passing Game
Setup: 30x20 yard pitch with 5-yard end zones at each end. Two teams of 4-5 players.
Activity: Score by passing (not dribbling) the ball to a teammate standing in the end zone. Teammate must control the ball in the zone.
Coaching Points:
- Width creates passing angles
- Patient build-up beats rushing forward
- Communication to find the open player
- Movement off the ball to receive in space
Progression: Limit touches in the middle zone, require a certain number of passes before scoring, add neutral players.
Why it works: Rewards passing over dribbling in a game context. Players naturally discover that good passing creates scoring opportunities.
Drill 8: Four Goal Game (Directional)
Setup: 30x30 yard square with small goals on each side. Two teams, different goals to attack/defend (opposite corners).
Activity: Normal game, but teams can score in either of their two goals. This creates multiple passing options and switching opportunities.
Coaching Points:
- Look for the open goal
- Switch play when one side is blocked
- Create 2v1s through passing
- Quick decisions when options appear
Progression: Require 3 passes before shooting, add a “bonus goal” that moves, limit time in possession.
Why it works: Develops awareness of multiple options - crucial for players transitioning from tunnel vision to pitch awareness.
Drill 9: Possession with Purpose
Setup: 25x25 yard area. Two teams of 4 plus 2 neutral players (always with the team in possession, creating 6v4).
Activity: Team in possession tries to complete 5 consecutive passes. When achieved, they get a point and play continues. Turnover restarts the count.
Coaching Points:
- Use the extra players!
- Shape - don’t all chase the ball
- Play simple when under pressure
- Create triangles for passing options
Progression: Increase pass requirement, remove one neutral, add split lines that must be passed through.
Why it works: The numerical advantage builds confidence while the pass target creates purpose. Not just “keep it” but “build towards something.”
Drill 10: The Match Application
Drill 10: Passing Priority Game
Setup: Normal small-sided game (5v5 or 6v6) with small goals.
Activity: Normal rules, but goals scored after a passing sequence (3+ passes) count double. Goals from direct play count single.
Coaching Points:
- This is where all the technique meets reality
- Don’t force passes - good decisions matter
- Recognise when to play quickly vs build up
- Celebrate the assists as much as goals
Why it works: Reinforces passing value within a real game. Players make genuine decisions about when passing creates advantages.
Building Your Session
Don’t use all 10 drills in one session. Instead, pick 2-3 based on your focus:
For technique focus: Drills 1, 2, 3 (foundation) For decision-making: Drills 5, 7, 8 (game scenarios) For competition: Drills 6, 9, 10 (pressure situations)
A balanced U10 passing session might look like:
- Warm-up: Drill 3 (Numbers Game) - 8 minutes
- Technical: Drill 5 (Piggy in the Middle) - 12 minutes
- Game: Drill 10 (Passing Priority Game) - 20 minutes
Common U10 Passing Problems (And Solutions)
Problem: “They just smash the ball!” Solution: Use Drill 1 with narrow gates. Accuracy becomes necessary, not optional.
Problem: “They don’t move after passing” Solution: Drill 4 requires movement by design. Build the habit before adding complexity.
Problem: “They panic under pressure” Solution: More time in Drill 5 and 9 with numerical advantage. Confidence comes from repeated success.
Problem: “They don’t look before receiving” Solution: Drill 3 forces scanning. The sequence requires knowing your target before the ball arrives.
Beyond These 10 Drills
These drills cover the fundamental passing development for U10 players. But systematic player development requires more than isolated drills - it requires a progression that builds week after week, connecting technical work to tactical understanding.
The 10 drills here give you a strong foundation. For complete season-long progressions with 328 sessions covering every aspect of player development, the 328 Training Sessions provides the systematic approach that transforms random coaching into structured development.
Your players can learn to pass. They need drills designed for how they actually learn. Start with these 10, focus on quality over complexity, and watch the improvement compound over time.
Ready to take your passing sessions further? Join 1,600+ coaches in the Football Coaching Academy where we share progressive training methods and support each other’s coaching development.
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