Soccer Session

U8 Training Session: No Lines, Lots of Touches

Description

A fun, high-touch U8 soccer training session designed to keep every player active with no standing in lines. Players start with dribbling gates, progress into passing gates using the same setup, build awareness with Traffic Lights, compete in 2v2 small-sided games, and finish with Sharks and Minnows. Perfect for volunteer coaches who want an age-appropriate U8 practice plan with lots of touches, simple progressions, and minimal waiting time.

Block 1: Dribbling Gates

10 min

Dribbling Gates

U6 U8 U10 Easy

Dribbling Warm-up

Dribbling Gates is a simple, high-energy activity that gives every player lots of touches on the ball. It helps young players practise close control, changing direction, scanning for space, and moving with purpose while avoiding other players.

Block 2: Passing Gates

10 min

Passing Gates

U8 U10 Medium

Dribbling Passing Warm-up

Passing Gates is a simple partner activity that helps players practise passing, receiving, communication, and moving into space. It keeps all players active, avoids lines, and gives lots of repetition without feeling like a static passing drill.

Block 3: Traffic Lights

10 min

Traffic Lights

U6 U8 U10 Easy

Dribbling

A fun dribbling game where every player has a ball and reacts to traffic-light commands. Players move around a grid, changing speed, stopping, turning, and controlling the ball based on the coach’s calls.

Block 4: 2v2 Small-Sided Game

20 min

2v2 Small-Sided Game

U8 U10 U12 Medium

Defending Dribbling Passing +1

A 2v2 game is a great formats for U8 to U12 players because every player is constantly involved. It creates lots of touches, 1v1 moments, simple passing decisions, defending opportunities, and chances to score, without long waits or complicated rules.

Block 5: Sharks and Minnows

10 min

Sharks and Minnows

U6 U8 Easy

Dribbling

A fun dribbling game where players, the blue “minnows” try to dribble their ball from one side of the area to the other without being caught by the yellow “sharks” The sharks try to steal, block, or kick the ball out of the area. The drill helps players practice close control, changes of direction, shielding, awareness, and dribbling under pressure.

Total duration

60 min

Blocks

Drills

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