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Under 11s · football (soccer) drills

U11 football drills: a 60-minute session for under 11s

A good 60-minute session for under 11s has four parts: a game as players arrive, two practices on one theme, and a proper game to finish. Players should spend most of the hour with the ball and very little time in queues. Here's a complete U11 session built on finding the spare player, with diagrams and coaching points for every part.

  • 60-75minute sessions
  • 7v7England matches
  • 9v9US matches
See the session planJump to the drills

U11 at a glance

  • England match format7v7 (from 2026/27, U11s stay at 7v7).
  • US match format9v9.
  • Session length60 to 75 min
  • Coaching focusPrinciples of play start to make sense. Deliberate heading is restricted at this age in both England and the US.
What to expect

What under 11s need

The FA’s four corners, with technical and tactical split, because at this age they need very different amounts of attention.

Technical

Technique under pressure and at speed. First touch away from pressure. Range of passing. Both feet, still.

Tactical

Principles of play in and out of possession: playing out from the back, pressing as a pair or three, reacting when the ball changes hands.

Physical

Growth spurts begin, often earlier in girls than boys. Expect temporary clumsiness. Bodyweight strength and movement quality.

Psychological

Can reflect on their own game and set targets. Confidence can wobble, especially around selection.

Social

Peer group is powerful. Leadership roles, mixing friendship groups and a clear team culture help.

How coaching changes from U5 to U18 →

Session plan · 60 minutes

A 60-minute U11 session: finding the spare player

Each block builds on the last. By the final game players should be looking for the free teammate before the ball arrives. How Play, Practice, Play works.

Play · 15 minCoaches gamePractice · 15 minItalian squarePractice · 15 min3v2 possession gamePlay · 15 minRotation game

Play: gamesPractice: one theme, lots of repetition

5 drills with diagrams

U11 drills

Every drill comes from The Coaching Manual, where you’ll find the full version with an animation. Areas are in metres or yards: near enough is fine.

Diagram: Coaches game
Diagram from The Coaching Manual
Drill 1 · In the session plan

Coaches game

A 4v4 that starts the moment players arrive and rewards scoring through the middle.

  • 15 min
  • Area 25 x 25
  • 8 players
  • 3 mini-goals, a big goal, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. 4v4 in the middle, three mini-goals at one end and you at the other.
  2. You pass to the attackers. They score in the wide goals for one point or the central goal for three.
  3. If the defenders win it they pass back to you before attacking the big goal. Roles swap whenever possession changes.

Coaching points

  • Look around. Know where the ball, teammates, opponents and space are as the ball moves.
  • Half turn. Receive side-on to play forward.
  • Dribble or pass. Choose based on the space and time you have.

Open the full drill with animation in TCMPremium

Diagram: Italian square
Diagram from The Coaching Manual · By Lee Fletcher
Drill 2 · In the session plan

Italian square

Two teams play across each other in one square, so players must look around constantly to find the free player.

  • 15 min
  • Area 20 x 20
  • 10 players
  • 6 cones, bibs, 10 balls

How it works

  1. Each team has two target players outside the square, facing each other. One team plays east to west, the other north to south.
  2. Score by getting the ball from one of your targets to the other, through the players inside. No passing directly between targets.
  3. If the ball goes out, restart from a corner. Rotate targets every three minutes.

Coaching points

  • Look around. Inside and outside the square, know where space, opponents and teammates are.
  • Body shape. See the ball and the target, and take your first touch forward.
  • Punch the pass. Weight, accuracy and timing so the ball moves quickly.
  • Support at angles. Get diagonal to the ball, not in a straight line, so your first touch can go forward.
Make it easier or harder

Make it harder

  • Progression: targets can pass directly to each other.

Open the full drill with animation in TCMPremium

Diagram: 3v2 possession game
Diagram from The Coaching Manual · By Lee Fletcher
Drill 3 · In the session plan

3v2 possession game

Three attackers against two, with quick turnovers. It teaches finding the spare player.

  • 15 min
  • Area 25 x 25
  • 12 players
  • Mini-goals in the middle and on the outside, bibs, 8 balls

How it works

  1. Three attackers and two defenders wait on the edge.
  2. A defender passes to an attacker and everyone enters.
  3. Attackers score in the middle goals. Defenders who win the ball score in the outside goals.
  4. When the ball is dead the next group goes. Rotate every four minutes.

Coaching points

  • Find the free player. With three against two, someone is always free. Find them.
  • Get out of trouble. If you are caught 1v2, use a move to escape.
  • Offer angles. Adjust your feet to give the passer a clear line.

Open the full drill with animation in TCMFree to view

Diagram: Rotation game
Diagram from The Coaching Manual
Drill 4 · In the session plan

Rotation game

A small-sided game where players must move after passing, which builds rotation and combination play.

  • 15 min
  • Area 30 x 25, split into four triangles
  • Up to 14 players
  • 20 cones, goals, bibs, 6 balls

How it works

  1. Mark the pitch into four triangles.
  2. When a player passes, they must leave that triangle so a teammate can move in.
  3. Play a normal small-sided game otherwise.

Coaching points

  • Half turn. See the ball and the opposition goal at the same time.
  • First touch. Take it away from the defender's line.
  • Pass and move. Play one or two touches, then move to where the space will be.
  • Be seen. Get between defenders and in view of the passer.
Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

  • Make the area bigger.

Make it harder

  • Limit touches.

Open the full drill with animation in TCMPremium

Diagram: 4v2 rondo
Diagram from The Coaching Manual
Drill 5

4v2 rondo

The classic keep-ball. Players aim to split the two defenders with a pass.

  • 10 min
  • Area 10 x 10
  • 6 players
  • 4 cones, bibs, 1 ball

How it works

  1. Four attackers around a 10 x 10 square, two defenders in the middle.
  2. Attackers keep the ball and try to pass between the two defenders.
  3. If the defenders win it, they keep it 2v2 inside the area. Rotate defenders every three minutes.

Coaching points

  • Control. Cushion the ball to take the pace off, or wedge it under your sole. Pick the right one.
  • Pass. Standing foot pointing at the target, ankle locked, strike the middle of the ball.
  • Angles. Move your feet to see the ball and receive at an angle so your first touch can go anywhere.
  • Forward first. Look to split the defenders first, then sideways.
Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

  • Bigger area.
  • 5v2.
  • One defender.

Make it harder

  • Attackers must stay inside the area.
  • Smaller area.

Open the full drill with animation in TCMPremium

Common question

How to plan any 60-minute session

The session above is one example. You can use the same structure every week with a different theme.

  1. One theme. Pick one thing, such as finding the spare player, playing forward or pressing, and link every block to it.
  2. Play first (10 to 15 minutes). A game players can join as they arrive. You see what they can already do.
  3. Practice (25 to 30 minutes). One or two practices where the theme happens again and again. Coach here.
  4. Play again (15 to 20 minutes). A game where players use what they practised. Coach less.
  5. Keep queues short. No more than two or three players waiting. Run two areas if you need to.
  6. Drinks between blocks. Use the break for a quick question, not a speech.

Questions coaches ask

What should a 60-minute training session for under 11s look like?

Four parts: a game as players arrive (10 to 15 minutes), two practices on one theme (25 to 30 minutes), and a game to finish (15 to 20 minutes). Most of the hour should be spent with the ball.

What format do U11s play?

In England, 7v7 from the 2026/27 season. In the US, 9v9.

Can U11s head the ball?

Deliberate heading is restricted at U11 in both England and the US, so leave heading out of training at this age.

What should U11s be learning?

Technique under pressure, receiving to play forward, and simple principles of play like finding the spare player, support angles and pressing together.

Other ages

Drills for every age

Pick an age to see its drills and session plan, or read what to expect at each age.

U5U6U7U8U9U10U11U12U13U14U15U16U17U18

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