U9 is where football gets interesting.
Players are moving beyond the chaos of younger ages. They can sustain concentration longer, understand basic concepts, and are ready for activities that combine technical work with simple decision-making.
This is the year where you can start developing real football players while keeping sessions engaging and fun.
These 30 drills progress from technical foundations through to game intelligence, giving you everything needed for complete U9 development.
Understanding the U9 Player
At U9, players are transitioning from the “I want the ball all the time” mentality to understanding that football is a team game.
Physical Development:
- Improved coordination
- Better spatial awareness
- Can sustain activity longer
- Still developing strength and speed
Cognitive Development:
- Can process 2-3 instructions
- Beginning to understand cause and effect
- Can make simple decisions under pressure
- Still primarily reactive rather than proactive
What U9s Are Ready For:
- Multi-step technical sequences
- Simple combinations with teammates
- Basic 1v1 and 2v1 situations
- Introduction to principles (support, width, depth)
What is Still Developing:
- Complex tactical understanding
- Consistent weak foot use
- Long-range passing accuracy
- Advanced defensive concepts
Design sessions that challenge their growing abilities while respecting their developmental stage.
Section 1: Technical Foundations (Drills 1-6)
Every session should include technical work. These drills develop the core skills U9s need.
Drill 1: Diamond Ball Mastery
Setup: Cones in diamond shape (5 yards apart). Player with ball at bottom cone.
Activity: Dribble to each cone, perform a specific move at each: drag back, step over, Cruyff turn, inside-outside. Return to start.
Progression: Time the circuit, race against others, add more moves.
Coaching Focus: Quality of turns, ball close to feet, head up between cones.
Drill 2: First Touch Control
Setup: Pairs, 10 yards apart. One ball per pair.
Activity: Passer plays ball along ground. Receiver controls with different surfaces: inside, outside, sole, thigh. Play back and swap.
Progression: Add pressure (receiver has 2 touches to return), increase pass speed, introduce bouncing balls.
Coaching Focus: Soft touch, control into space, body position for next action.
Drill 3: Turning Unopposed
Setup: Line of cones 15 yards long. Player dribbles towards each cone.
Activity: At each cone, perform a different turn: drag back, Cruyff, inside cut, outside hook. Accelerate to next cone.
Progression: Add trailing defender, time the run, random turn call from coach.
Coaching Focus: Sharp turns, close control, acceleration after turn.
Drill 4: Passing Patterns
Setup: Groups of 4 in a square (8 yards between players). Two balls per group.
Activity: Pass and move clockwise. After passing, move to next corner. Keep both balls moving.
Progression: Add one-touch requirement, introduce give-and-go through middle.
Coaching Focus: Pass timing, movement off ball, communication.
Drill 5: Receiving Under Pressure
Setup: Server with balls. Receiver 10 yards away. Defender behind receiver.
Activity: Server passes. Receiver must control and turn away from defender to dribble through a gate.
Progression: Defender becomes active, add shooting after turning.
Coaching Focus: Check shoulder before receiving, first touch away from pressure.
Drill 6: Long Passing Introduction
Setup: Pairs 20 yards apart. One ball.
Activity: Strike ball to partner using laces/instep. Focus on height and accuracy.
Progression: Receiving player controls with different surfaces, add target areas.
Coaching Focus: Approach angle, striking through ball, flight and accuracy.
Section 2: 1v1 Development (Drills 7-12)
1v1 ability is fundamental. These drills develop attackers and defenders.
Drill 7: 1v1 Attack vs Passive Defender
Setup: Attacker with ball, defender 5 yards away. Goal behind defender.
Activity: Defender can only jockey, not tackle. Attacker uses moves to beat them and score.
Progression: Allow defender to tackle, reduce space, time limit.
Coaching Focus: Attacking moves, change of pace, confident finishing.
Drill 8: 1v1 Defend and Attack
Setup: Two players, one ball. Goal at each end.
Activity: Both can score in either goal. Play starts with one player having ball. Switch possession frequently.
Progression: Add touch limits, make goals smaller, time pressure.
Coaching Focus: Quick transitions, defensive positioning, seizing opportunities.
Drill 9: Channel 1v1
Setup: 5-yard wide channel, 15 yards long. Attacker starts with ball, defender at other end.
Activity: Attacker tries to dribble past defender and stop ball on end line. Defender tries to win ball and do the same.
Progression: Widen or narrow channel, add time pressure.
Coaching Focus: Using width of channel, committing defender, shielding.
Drill 10: Speed Gate 1v1
Setup: Attacker and defender start side by side. Ball 5 yards in front. Goal 15 yards away.
Activity: On whistle, race to ball. First to ball attacks, second defends.
Progression: Vary start positions, add second defender joining late.
Coaching Focus: Speed to ball, quick decisions, composure.
Drill 11: 1v1 Continuous
Setup: Two teams behind opposite goals. Players numbered.
Activity: Coach calls number and plays ball. Players compete 1v1. Next number called immediately when ball goes dead.
Progression: Call multiple numbers (2v2, 3v3), vary ball placement.
Coaching Focus: Intensity, recovery, never giving up.
Drill 12: Defender’s Game
Setup: Attacker with ball in 10x10 box. Defender outside. Goal outside on opposite side.
Activity: Defender enters and tries to win ball. If defender wins, they score in goal. If attacker keeps ball for 10 seconds, they win.
Progression: Shrink box, reduce time, add support for attacker outside.
Coaching Focus: Defensive patience, timing challenges, winning possession cleanly.
Section 3: Combination Play (Drills 13-18)
U9s can now learn to play together. These drills introduce passing combinations.
Drill 13: Wall Pass Basics
Setup: Attacker dribbles towards cone (defender). Wall player positioned to side.
Activity: Attacker passes to wall player, runs around cone, receives return pass in stride.
Progression: Add real defender, add finishing, require one-touch return.
Coaching Focus: Pass weight, timing of run, communication.
Drill 14: 2v1 to Goal
Setup: Two attackers vs one defender. Goal with goalkeeper.
Activity: Create 2v1 situation to score. Focus on when to pass and when to dribble.
Progression: Defender starts closer, add recovery defender, time limit.
Coaching Focus: Decision-making, combination play, finishing.
Drill 15: Triangle Combinations
Setup: Three players in triangle. Ball starts at bottom.
Activity: Play specific pattern: base passes to right, right lays off to left, left plays forward to base who has moved. Rotate positions.
Progression: Add passive defenders, make passes one-touch, add variations.
Coaching Focus: Timing of runs, pass quality, off-ball movement.
Drill 16: 3v2 Breakaway
Setup: Three attackers vs two defenders. Goal at one end.
Activity: Attackers start with ball and try to score. Defenders can score by dribbling ball over opposite line.
Progression: Add goalkeeper, give defenders recovery time, counter-attack option.
Coaching Focus: Using numbers advantage, width, quick decisions.
Drill 17: 4v2 Possession
Setup: 4 attackers around 12x12 box. 2 defenders inside.
Activity: Keep possession. 6 passes = 1 point. Defenders win ball = swap two attackers.
Progression: Limit touches, shrink space, require split passes through defenders.
Coaching Focus: Support angles, playing quickly, movement to receive.
Drill 18: Switch Play Exercise
Setup: Wide players stationed on touchlines. Central players in middle zone.
Activity: Ball starts one side. Play to switch from one wide player to the other through central support.
Progression: Add defenders, create goal scoring opportunity after switch.
Coaching Focus: Recognising when to switch, patience in build-up, width.
Section 4: Game Intelligence (Drills 19-24)
These games develop understanding through play, not instruction.
Drill 19: End Zone Game
Setup: 30x20 pitch with 5-yard end zones. Two teams.
Activity: Score by stopping ball under control in opponent’s end zone.
Progression: Must pass into end zone (cannot dribble in), add transition moments.
Coaching Focus: Supporting the ball, width, timing runs into zone.
Drill 20: Possession Points Game
Setup: 25x25 area. 4v4 or 5v5. No goals.
Activity: 5 consecutive passes = 1 point. Team with most points wins.
Progression: Increase pass requirement, add target players, split passes worth bonus.
Coaching Focus: Patient possession, off-ball movement, team shape.
Drill 21: Target Player Game
Setup: 30x20 pitch. Target players in each end zone. Teams try to play into target.
Activity: Pass to your target player and receive back = 1 point. Then attack other direction.
Progression: Target can move along end line, add finishing option.
Coaching Focus: Playing forward, creating passing lanes, supporting.
Drill 22: Transition Game
Setup: 4v4 or 5v5 on normal pitch with small goals.
Activity: When possession changes, attacking team has 6 seconds to shoot. After 6 seconds, normal play.
Progression: Reduce time, add counter-attack goals worth more.
Coaching Focus: Quick reactions to turnovers, direct play, transition mindset.
Drill 23: Line Football
Setup: 30x20 pitch. Players from each team stand along the end line. 3v3 in the middle.
Activity: Play passes to end line teammates who join the game, creating overloads.
Progression: Limit how many can enter, require goals from newcomers.
Coaching Focus: Using support, timing of passes, recognising overloads.
Drill 24: Three Zone Game
Setup: Pitch divided into three zones. Must have player in each zone at all times.
Activity: Normal game, but team shape must maintain zone coverage.
Progression: Goals only count if all zones covered when scored.
Coaching Focus: Basic positioning, moving as a team, maintaining shape.
Section 5: Competitive Games (Drills 25-30)
End every session with games that bring everything together.
Drill 25: 3v3 to Mini Goals
Setup: 20x15 yard pitch. Mini goals.
Activity: Maximum touches, maximum decisions, maximum fun. Short games with rotation.
Coaching Focus: This is where learning transfers. Observe and coach sparingly.
Drill 26: 4v4 Plus Neutrals
Setup: 25x20 pitch with goals. Add 2 neutral players (always with attack).
Activity: 6v4 in possession creates easier passing options while still providing game realism.
Progression: Reduce to 1 neutral, remove neutrals.
Coaching Focus: Using overload, building confidence in possession.
Drill 27: World Cup
Setup: Teams of 2-3 players. Knockout tournament format.
Activity: Quick games to 2 goals. Losers eliminated. Final celebrated.
Coaching Focus: Competition, pressure, game management.
Drill 28: 5v5 Full Game
Setup: Appropriate pitch with goals and goalkeepers.
Activity: Real football. Let them play. Minimal intervention.
Coaching Focus: Observation for individual feedback later.
Drill 29: Championship Match
Setup: Pick teams, play a “big game” to finish training.
Activity: Treat it like a real match with celebration at the end.
Coaching Focus: Applying skills under pressure, competitive environment.
Drill 30: Free Choice
Setup: Multiple activities set up. Players choose for final 10 minutes.
Activity: Player choice builds autonomy. Observe preferences.
Coaching Focus: Understanding what players enjoy and where they feel confident.
Building Your U9 Session
Sample 70-minute U9 session:
0-10 mins: Technical foundations (Drills 1-6) 10-22 mins: 1v1 development (Drills 7-12) 22-34 mins: Combination play (Drills 13-18) 34-50 mins: Game intelligence (Drills 19-24) 50-70 mins: Competitive games (Drills 25-30)
Adapt based on session focus. Some days emphasise technical work. Others focus on game understanding.
U9 Coaching Principles
Challenge without overwhelming. Push players beyond comfort zones while ensuring they can succeed.
Coach through questions. “What did you see?” develops thinking better than “Do this.”
Let games teach. Design environments where the right actions are rewarded naturally.
Individual focus within team context. Each player should know their personal development target.
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