10v9 Soccer Drills: 6 Games to Use the Extra Player and Finish as a Full Team

Quick answer: A 10v9 works when the ten attackers play through the thirds in order — build from the goalkeeper, break the first pressing line with a half-turn receiver, create a 5v4 in the final third, and turn it into a 2v1 before finishing. Stay wide, switch fast when the nine defenders shift, and shoot within 10 seconds of the final-third overload.

Ten attackers against nine defenders is a full-team problem, not a finishing problem. The spare player is usually a centre-back who steps into midfield, or a striker who drops to make a box midfield, and most teams waste them by playing sideways across the back instead of forwards through the thirds.

The ball moves slowly, nobody receives on the half-turn between the lines, and the attack arrives in the final third with every defender already goal-side. The same build-up problem decides games in football at every level, and it is solved by a receiver who drops at the right moment, a switch that arrives before the block shifts, and a run that starts as the ball travels.

These six games teach that sequence. Each one starts with a 10v9, each one ends with a finish, and each one rewards the team that uses the extra player first.

Session snapshot

• Players: 20–28 (10 attackers, 9 defenders, goalkeepers, plus rotation groups)
• Area: 70 x 44 to 75 x 50 yards, one full-size goal at each end
• Duration: 60 minutes for all six games, or 20 minutes for any two
• Focus: Playing through the thirds, central and wide overloads, beating a low block, finishing as a team
• Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls, two full-size goals, two mini goals for Drill 6
• Age: U15–U19 (see age adaptations)

The one rule: use the spare player to move the ball through the thirds

A 10v9 gives the attacking team one spare player. That player is only useful if they help the ball travel through the thirds in order, and the final third is only useful if a 5v4 becomes a 2v1 in one area before the defence shifts across.

• Build from the goalkeeper. Every attack starts with the goalkeeper. A rushed long ball skips the middle third and hands the overload away.
• Break the first line on the half-turn. The number 6 or 8 drops, receives facing forward, and plays into a forward. A sideways first touch kills the break.
• Make it a 5v4, then a 2v1. Five attackers against four defenders must isolate one defender with two attackers. The spare player decides the finish.
• Finish fast once the 5v4 is made. Shoot within 10 seconds. A slow finish lets the ninth defender recover.

Start with these 9v8 soccer drills if your players cannot yet play through the thirds in a smaller team shape; the 10v9 below adds a ninth defender and a full 1-4-4-2 team shape, so the build-up must go through the thirds, the overload must be created centrally or wide on purpose, and the finish must come from a rehearsed team pattern.

Drill 1 — Play Through the Thirds

The starting point for every 10v9. Ten attackers build from the goalkeeper through three zones on a 70 x 44 yard pitch, and must progress zone by zone before they may finish.

Setup:

• One 70 x 44 yard pitch, split into three thirds, with a full-size goal at each end and a goalkeeper in each goal.
• Ten attackers in blue bibs in a 1-4-4-2 shape, nine defenders in red bibs in a 1-4-3-2 shape, one ball per rep.
• Spare balls behind both goals, and a coach on the touchline to restart play fast.

How to Play:

1. The sequence always begins with the goalkeeper, who plays to a centre-back.
2. The back four build with width, and the number 6 drops to receive on the half-turn.
3. The 6 plays through the first pressing line into the middle third.
4. The middle third must be entered by a pass or a dribble, not skipped with a long ball.
5. The attackers create a 5v4 in the final third and isolate one defender in a 2v1.
6. The attack finishes within 10 seconds of entering the final third, then play restarts from the other goalkeeper.

Coach’s note: The cue is “Through the thirds!” If the ball is played over the middle third, bring it back. The middle third is the drill.

Progressions: Limit the attackers to two touches in the first third, then require the final-third entry pass to reach a half-turn receiver.

Drill 2 — Build-Up Waves to 10v9

The overload builds wave by wave from the back. Each wave adds attackers and defenders, until the final wave is a full 10v9 that must play through the thirds and finish.

Setup:

• One 70 x 50 yard pitch, a full-size goal at each end with a goalkeeper in each goal.
• Two teams of twenty, with players waiting in stations behind each goal and on both touchlines.
• One ball per wave, spare balls with the coach at the halfway line.

How to Play:

1. Wave 1 is 1v0: the striker receives from the goalkeeper and shoots in two touches.
2. Wave 2 is 2v1: two attackers enter, create a 2v1, and finish from the overload.
3. Wave 3 is 3v2: a third attacker enters, and the ball must break the first line.
4. Wave 4 is 4v3: the next attacker enters, and the spare player must be found between the lines.
5. Wave 5 is 6v5: two more attackers enter, and the attack must switch to the far side.
6. Wave 6 is 10v9: the final attackers enter, the full shape defends, and the attack must play through the thirds and finish.

Coach’s note: The cue is “Next wave!” Players must sprint on and off between waves. A slow changeover lets the defence set a compact block.

Progressions: Cut each wave to 8 seconds, then require the 10v9 wave to finish from a first-time shot.

Drill 3 — Central Overload: Step In, Drop Off, Arrive Late

The nine defenders protect the centre. This game teaches the ten attackers to create a central overload on purpose: a centre-back steps into midfield, a striker drops to make a box midfield, and a midfielder arrives late as the spare player.

Setup:

• One 60 x 44 yard pitch, a full-size goal at each end with a goalkeeper in each goal.
• Ten attackers in blue bibs in a 1-4-4-2 shape, nine defenders in red bibs protecting the central channel.
• One ball per rep, spare balls with the coach on the touchline.

How to Play:

1. The ball starts with the goalkeeper, who plays to the middle centre-back.
2. The middle centre-back steps into midfield with the ball, making it 5v4 centrally.
3. A striker drops off the defensive line to make a box midfield of four.
4. The dropped striker receives on the half-turn and plays into the other striker.
5. The late midfielder arrives between the lines and the attackers isolate one defender in a 2v1.
6. The attack finishes from a central combination, or from a cutback after the wide switch.

Coach’s note: The cue is “Step in, drop off, arrive late!” If the centre-back steps in without the striker dropping, the midfield is crowded, not overloaded. All three movements must happen together.

Progressions: The centre-back may only step in after two passes, then the dropped striker must receive with one touch.

Drill 4 — Wide Overload and the Switch

The nine defenders stay narrow and protect the centre. This game teaches the ten attackers to use the wide midfielders, create a wide overload, and switch to the free side before the block can shift.

Setup:

• One 70 x 50 yard area, one full-size goal with a goalkeeper, cones marking two wide channels.
• Ten attackers in blue bibs, nine defenders in red bibs, one ball per rep.
• Spare balls with the coach on the touchline, and a wide midfielder starting in each wide channel.

How to Play:

1. The ball starts with a pivot, who plays wide to the wide midfielder in the left channel.
2. Four attackers join the wide midfielder at speed, making it 5v4 in the wide channel.
3. The five attackers combine quickly, with one overlap and one underlap, to beat the four defenders.
4. If the wide channel closes, the ball is switched first time to the far-side wide midfielder.
5. The far-side wide midfielder drives forward and cuts the ball back low.
6. Two runners arrive in the box, one at the near post and one at the penalty spot.

Coach’s note: The cue is “Wide, then switch!” The switch must be first time. A second touch on the ball side lets the nine defenders shift across.

Progressions: The switch must be played from the half-turn, then the far-side wide midfielder must finish the cutback with a first-time shot.

Drill 5 — Beat the Low Block

Nine defenders set a compact low block, protect the centre, and force play wide. Ten attackers must invite the press, decide whether to play through or around it, and break the block before it resets.

Setup:

• One 70 x 44 yard pitch, a full-size goal at each end with a goalkeeper in each goal.
• Ten attackers in blue bibs in a full 1-4-4-2 team shape, nine defenders in red bibs in a compact 1-4-3-2 low block.
• One ball per rep, spare balls behind both goals, and a coach on the touchline to restart play fast.

How to Play:

1. The nine defenders set a low block, with two forwards pressing and the rest covering inside spaces.
2. The ten attackers build from the goalkeeper and invite the first pressing line forward.
3. The ball moves side to side, and the defenders must shift across without leaving a central gap.
4. The attackers play through the block with a line-breaking pass, or around it with a switch.
5. If the block is broken, the attackers attack 5v4 in the final third at once.
6. If the block wins the ball, the defenders counter to a mini goal within 6 seconds.

Coach’s note: The cue is “Through or around — decide fast!” If the attackers hesitate, the block resets. The decision must be made on the first touch.

Progressions: Limit the attackers to two touches in the middle third, then require the line-breaking pass to reach a half-turn receiver.

Drill 6 — Transition Control Game, Both Ways

The overload runs both ways, and control is earned. Whichever team wins the ball attacks 10v9 at once, and the team that lost it must win it back or complete six passes to steal the spare player.

Setup:

• One 75 x 50 yard pitch, a full-size goal at each end with a goalkeeper in each goal, two mini goals on the halfway line.
• Two teams of twenty, with ten attackers and nine defenders on the pitch at any time.
• Spare balls behind both goals, and a coach on each touchline to restart play fast.

How to Play:

1. The coach plays the ball to the blue team, who build 10v9 against the red defenders.
2. The blue team must play through the thirds and finish within 10 seconds of the 5v4.
3. If the red team wins the ball, they attack the far goal 10v9 at once, with no reset.
4. The team that lost the ball sprints back, and the middle third is the space they must protect.
5. A goal from a 10v9 attack scores double, and a goal after stealing control with six passes scores triple.
6. Play for 4 minutes, rest for 1 minute, then swap which team starts with the ball.

Coach’s note: The cue is “Win it, go!” The transition is the drill. A team that jogs back after losing the ball concedes the middle third twice in one rep.

Progressions: Cut the shot clock to 8 seconds, then require the counter-attack to finish in three passes or fewer.

Coaching points

• “Through the thirds!” The middle third only works if the ball travels through it. A long ball over it hands the overload away.
• “Half-turn!” The receiver between the lines must face forward. A sideways touch kills the break.
• “Step in, drop off, arrive late!” The centre-back step, the striker drop and the late arrival must happen together in Drill 3.
• “Make it a 5v4, then a 2v1!” Five against four is the start, not the finish. Isolate one defender with two attackers.
• “Wide, then switch!” The wide overload in Drill 4 only works if the switch is first time.
• “Finish within 10 seconds!” Every 10v9 has a clock. Train the finish that follows with a 1v1 finishing drill.
• “Win it, go!” The counter-attack is decided in the first two seconds after winning the ball.

Common mistakes

Age adaptations

60-minute session plan

Run the six games as one session with this 60-minute plan, or take any two games for a 20-minute block.

For the switch in Drill 4, use the same attract-and-switch idea as this switching play game, where drawing the defence to one side creates the 1v1 on the far side.

Sources

These 10v9 soccer drills are based on the overload principles in the FIFA Training Centre session on creating and exploiting overloads, which stresses finding the spare player, interchanging positions, and using overlaps and underlaps to isolate a defender, and in line with the FIFA Training Centre exercise on progressing through the thirds, which trains a unit to break the first pressing line and play through the central channel as a team.

FAQ