5 Fun U9 Soccer Drills

At U9 (ages 7-9), the game changes. Players are no longer just a swarm of bees. They are starting to look like soccer players.

But here is the trap: They are still children.

If you start your U9 session with 10 minutes of lap running and 15 minutes of static passing lines, you will kill their love for the game. At this age, the “Golden Age of Learning” begins. We need to hide the hard work inside of fun games.

Here are 5 high-energy U9 soccer drills that teach skill, speed, and spacing—without a single lap involved.

Navigation Note: This is part of our U9 Curriculum.

For more drills about the U9 category, check our U9 Soccer Drills Library.

Drill Profile

1. Space Wars (The Dribbling Maze)

Skill: Close Control & Head-Up Awareness. Why it works: It forces players to look up to avoid collisions (Asteroids) while keeping the ball close.

• Setup: Scatter 50 cones randomly in a 20×20 grid. These are “Asteroids.”
• The Mission: “You are Starfighters. You must fly through the Asteroid Field to get to the other side.”
• The Rules:
  1. Get from one side to the other without touching a cone.
  2. If you touch a cone (Asteroid), your ship is damaged (do 5 toe taps to fix it).
  3. Progression: Add a “Vader” (Coach) who walks around trying to tag players.

2. Clean Your Room (Passing Technique)

Skill: Passing, Shooting Technique, & Transition Speed. Why it works: It is high-intensity conditioning disguised as a game.

• Setup: Split a 30×20 grid into two halves. Two teams. Give every player a ball (plus extra balls in the goals).
• The Mission: “Your room is messy! Kick the trash (balls) into your brother’s room!”
• The Action: On “GO,” players kick balls from their half into the other half.
• The Winner: After 2 minutes, the Coach yells “STOP!” The team with the fewest balls in their yard wins.
• Coaching Point: Encourage using the laces for power and the inside of the foot for accuracy.

3. The 1v1 Gateway (Attacking)

Skill: 1v1 Moves & Finishing. Why it works: It creates a realistic 1v1 duel coming from an angle, which happens constantly in matches.

• Setup: One Goal. Two “Gates” (cones) placed 20 yards out, one on the left, one on the right.
• The Action:
  • Defender starts at the goal post.
  • Attacker starts at the Gate.
  • Coach passes a ball to the Attacker.
  • Live Play: As soon as the Attacker touches the ball, the Defender sprints to stop them.
• The Goal: Score in the big goal. If the Defender wins it, they can dribble through the gate for a point.

4. The “Knockout” (King of the Ring)

Skill: Shielding & Physical Strength. Why it works: U9s often struggle with physical contact. This game makes contact fun and safe.

• Setup: A large circle. Every player has a ball.
• The Game: Dribble inside the circle.
• The Goal: Protect your ball while trying to kick everyone else’s ball out of the circle.
• The Rule: If your ball goes out, you must do 10 Toe Taps to re-enter (or you are out, depending on numbers).
• Last Player Standing: Is the King/Queen of the Ring.

5. Numbers Game (Transition)

Skill: Reaction Speed & 1v1/2v2. Why it works: It trains the brain to react instantly to “Attack” or “Defend.”

• Setup: Two goals, 25 yards apart. Two teams lined up on the sideline. Give every player a number (1, 2, 3, 4…).
• The Trigger: Coach throws a ball into the middle and yells a number (e.g., “THREE!”).
• The Action: Player #3 from both teams sprints onto the field.
• The Duel: First to the ball attacks; the other defends. Play until a goal or the ball goes out.
• Progression: Call two numbers (“ONE AND FOUR!”) for a 2v2.

See It in Action

Watch these U9 players in action. Notice how the coach uses “games” like Touch the Post and 1v1 Gates to keep the intensity high while developing technical skills.

FAQ: U9 Coaching Question