U10 football session plans and drills for 7v7

U10 at a glance

Match format: 7v7 at most
Ball: Size 3
Heading in training: None
Restarts: Pass-in or dribble-in
Adults: One for every eight players, never fewer than two

Updated for FA FutureFit 2026/27.

Last updated: 18 October 2026

Three U10 practices

Practice 1 · 12 min

Running with the ball: big touches into space

Run with the ball

Players tonight

Set up

Every player has a ball, on the end line nearest us. The cones mark the far line. Each player runs with the ball to the far line, as fast as they can keep it.

10 players, 10 balls, 2 adults

Run with the ball into space using bigger touches.

Set up

Mark a 22 x 25 m area with a line of cones at each end. Every player has a ball and starts on one end line.

Who goes where

Players: 10, in the area.

How to play

Players run with the ball to the far line as fast as they can keep it.
They stop it on the line, turn, and run back.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Run with the ball to the far line as fast as you can. Stop it on the line, turn, and come back.

Say while it runs

Push it out in front with your laces.

Praise it when the laces push the ball two strides ahead
Look up to see the space ahead.

Praise it when their head comes up after each push

Ask at the drink When can you take a bigger touch?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If they make it easily, add two defenders in the middle who try to win a ball.
Too hard: If the ball runs away from them, make the area 5 m shorter.

Practice 2 · 12 min

Passing: keep the ball as a team

Keep the ball

Players tonight

Set up

The Reds and the Blues each try to keep the ball. The two Yellows are neutrals. They play for whichever team has the ball. The four cones mark the square.

10 players, 1 ball, 2 adults

Pass to a team-mate who is free.

Set up

Mark a 16 x 16 m square. Two teams of 2 in bibs and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball. One ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 2 in red bibs, in the square.
Blues: 2 in blue bibs, in the square.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the square.

How to play

The team with the ball passes it to keep it away from the other team.
When the other team wins it, they keep it.
The neutrals always play for the team with the ball.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Keep the ball for your team. Neutrals, you play for whoever has it. If you lose it, win it back.

Say while it runs

Look before the ball arrives.

Praise it when their head turns before the pass reaches them
Move into a space after you pass.

Praise it when they move as soon as the ball leaves

Ask at the drink Where can you stand so a team-mate can pass to you?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If one team keeps it easily, make the square 4 m smaller.
Too hard: If the ball keeps getting lost, make the square 4 m bigger.

Pass to a team-mate who is free.

Set up

Mark a 18 x 18 m square. Two teams of 3 in bibs and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball. One ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 3 in red bibs, in the square.
Blues: 3 in blue bibs, in the square.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the square.

How to play

The team with the ball passes it to keep it away from the other team.
When the other team wins it, they keep it.
The neutrals always play for the team with the ball.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Keep the ball for your team. Neutrals, you play for whoever has it. If you lose it, win it back.

Say while it runs

Look before the ball arrives.

Praise it when their head turns before the pass reaches them
Move into a space after you pass.

Praise it when they move as soon as the ball leaves

Ask at the drink Where can you stand so a team-mate can pass to you?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If one team keeps it easily, make the square 4 m smaller.
Too hard: If the ball keeps getting lost, make the square 4 m bigger.

Pass to a team-mate who is free.

Set up

Mark a 20 x 20 m square. Two teams of 4 in bibs and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball. One ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 4 in red bibs, in the square.
Blues: 4 in blue bibs, in the square.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the square.

How to play

The team with the ball passes it to keep it away from the other team.
When the other team wins it, they keep it.
The neutrals always play for the team with the ball.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Keep the ball for your team. Neutrals, you play for whoever has it. If you lose it, win it back.

Say while it runs

Look before the ball arrives.

Praise it when their head turns before the pass reaches them
Move into a space after you pass.

Praise it when they move as soon as the ball leaves

Ask at the drink Where can you stand so a team-mate can pass to you?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If one team keeps it easily, make the square 4 m smaller.
Too hard: If the ball keeps getting lost, make the square 4 m bigger.

Pass to a team-mate who is free.

Set up

Mark a 22 x 22 m square. Two teams of 5 in bibs and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball. One ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 5 in red bibs, in the square.
Blues: 5 in blue bibs, in the square.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the square.

How to play

The team with the ball passes it to keep it away from the other team.
When the other team wins it, they keep it.
The neutrals always play for the team with the ball.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Keep the ball for your team. Neutrals, you play for whoever has it. If you lose it, win it back.

Say while it runs

Look before the ball arrives.

Praise it when their head turns before the pass reaches them
Move into a space after you pass.

Praise it when they move as soon as the ball leaves

Ask at the drink Where can you stand so a team-mate can pass to you?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If one team keeps it easily, make the square 4 m smaller.
Too hard: If the ball keeps getting lost, make the square 4 m bigger.

Pass to a team-mate who is free.

Set up

Mark a 24 x 24 m square. Two teams of 6 in bibs and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball. One ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 6 in red bibs, in the square.
Blues: 6 in blue bibs, in the square.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the square.

How to play

The team with the ball passes it to keep it away from the other team.
When the other team wins it, they keep it.
The neutrals always play for the team with the ball.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Keep the ball for your team. Neutrals, you play for whoever has it. If you lose it, win it back.

Say while it runs

Look before the ball arrives.

Praise it when their head turns before the pass reaches them
Move into a space after you pass.

Praise it when they move as soon as the ball leaves

Ask at the drink Where can you stand so a team-mate can pass to you?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If one team keeps it easily, make the square 4 m smaller.
Too hard: If the ball keeps getting lost, make the square 4 m bigger.

Practice 3 · 12 min

Finishing: shoot when you see the goal

Score in a pop-up goal

Players tonight

Set up

Reds play Blues, four against four. The Reds attack the far pop-up goal. The Blues attack the goal nearest us. The two neutrals in yellow play for whoever has the ball. A goal scores a point.

10 players, 1 ball, 2 adults

Shoot early when you see the goal.

Set up

Mark a 16 x 22 m pitch with a pop-up goal in the middle of each end line. Two teams of 2 and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 2 in red bibs, in the pitch.
Blues: 2 in blue bibs, in the pitch.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the pitch.

How to play

Reds attack one pop-up goal and Blues attack the other.
The neutrals play for whoever has the ball.
After a goal, restart with a dribble-in from your end line.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Reds, you score in that goal. Blues, you score in this one. Neutrals, play for whoever has the ball.

Say while it runs

Look at the goal before you shoot.

Praise it when their head comes up to find the goal first
Strike it with your laces.

Praise it when the laces hit the middle of the ball

Ask at the drink When is the best moment to shoot?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If goals come too easily, make the pitch 5 m longer.
Too hard: If nobody scores, make the pitch 5 m shorter.

Shoot early when you see the goal.

Set up

Mark a 18 x 24 m pitch with a pop-up goal in the middle of each end line. Two teams of 3 and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 3 in red bibs, in the pitch.
Blues: 3 in blue bibs, in the pitch.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the pitch.

How to play

Reds attack one pop-up goal and Blues attack the other.
The neutrals play for whoever has the ball.
After a goal, restart with a dribble-in from your end line.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Reds, you score in that goal. Blues, you score in this one. Neutrals, play for whoever has the ball.

Say while it runs

Look at the goal before you shoot.

Praise it when their head comes up to find the goal first
Strike it with your laces.

Praise it when the laces hit the middle of the ball

Ask at the drink When is the best moment to shoot?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If goals come too easily, make the pitch 5 m longer.
Too hard: If nobody scores, make the pitch 5 m shorter.

Shoot early when you see the goal.

Set up

Mark a 20 x 26 m pitch with a pop-up goal in the middle of each end line. Two teams of 4 and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 4 in red bibs, in the pitch.
Blues: 4 in blue bibs, in the pitch.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the pitch.

How to play

Reds attack one pop-up goal and Blues attack the other.
The neutrals play for whoever has the ball.
After a goal, restart with a dribble-in from your end line.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Reds, you score in that goal. Blues, you score in this one. Neutrals, play for whoever has the ball.

Say while it runs

Look at the goal before you shoot.

Praise it when their head comes up to find the goal first
Strike it with your laces.

Praise it when the laces hit the middle of the ball

Ask at the drink When is the best moment to shoot?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If goals come too easily, make the pitch 5 m longer.
Too hard: If nobody scores, make the pitch 5 m shorter.

Shoot early when you see the goal.

Set up

Mark a 22 x 28 m pitch with a pop-up goal in the middle of each end line. Two teams of 5 and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 5 in red bibs, in the pitch.
Blues: 5 in blue bibs, in the pitch.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the pitch.

How to play

Reds attack one pop-up goal and Blues attack the other.
The neutrals play for whoever has the ball.
After a goal, restart with a dribble-in from your end line.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Reds, you score in that goal. Blues, you score in this one. Neutrals, play for whoever has the ball.

Say while it runs

Look at the goal before you shoot.

Praise it when their head comes up to find the goal first
Strike it with your laces.

Praise it when the laces hit the middle of the ball

Ask at the drink When is the best moment to shoot?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If goals come too easily, make the pitch 5 m longer.
Too hard: If nobody scores, make the pitch 5 m shorter.

Shoot early when you see the goal.

Set up

Mark a 24 x 30 m pitch with a pop-up goal in the middle of each end line. Two teams of 6 and two neutrals in yellow, who play for whoever has the ball.

Who goes where

Reds: 6 in red bibs, in the pitch.
Blues: 6 in blue bibs, in the pitch.
Neutrals: 2 in yellow bibs, in the pitch.

How to play

Reds attack one pop-up goal and Blues attack the other.
The neutrals play for whoever has the ball.
After a goal, restart with a dribble-in from your end line.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Reds, you score in that goal. Blues, you score in this one. Neutrals, play for whoever has the ball.

Say while it runs

Look at the goal before you shoot.

Praise it when their head comes up to find the goal first
Strike it with your laces.

Praise it when the laces hit the middle of the ball

Ask at the drink When is the best moment to shoot?

Five minutes in

Too easy: If goals come too easily, make the pitch 5 m longer.
Too hard: If nobody scores, make the pitch 5 m shorter.

How a U10 session runs

0-10Arrival game. Children join in as they turn up, so nobody waits.
10-22First practice on tonight's theme.
22-35Second practice, same theme, a bit harder. Drinks at the change.
35-60Small-sided games, 3v3 or 4v4, so everyone is on the ball.

What changes for U10s in 2026/27

U10 doesn't change. It's 7v7 at most, as before. U11 now drops from 9v9 to 7v7, so your players stay at 7v7 for two seasons. Next season's U10s will be stepping up from 5v5.

Read the FA's FutureFit changes

When fewer players turn up

Keep the theme and change the shape. Shrink the area and the teams so nobody stands waiting. Each practice above redraws for the number you pick.

How to adapt training when fewer players arrive

U10 coaching questions

What format do U10s play in 2026/27?

Under the FA's FutureFit changes for 2026/27, a U10 match is 7v7 at most, the same as U11. The format is a ceiling for matches. In training, smaller games such as 3v3 and 4v4 are fine and often better, because each child gets more touches. Your league handbook confirms the format your league plays.

What size ball do under 10s use?

A size 3. FA guidance is size 3 from U5 to U11, size 4 from U12 to U13 and size 5 from U14 to U16. Ask each family to bring a ball if you can. A practice where every child has one runs better than one where they share a bag.

Can U10s head the ball in training?

No. FA guidance is no heading in training up to and including U11. Bibs On checks every U10 plan against that rule, so no practice asks for a header. From U12, training allows one session a week, up to 5 headers, unopposed. The FA reviews this each season, so check the current guidance before your season starts.

How long should a U10 training session be?

The FA doesn't set a length. Bibs On plans a U10 session at 60 minutes unless you change it. Keep each practice short. Start with an arrival activity so nobody stands waiting, and finish with a game. Take drinks when you change practices and skip separate breaks.

What should a U10 session include?

An arrival activity children can join as they turn up, one or two practices on a single theme, and a game at the end. The FA sets out each practice as set-up, how to play, coaching tips and progressions. At U10, use plain football words and give one or two coaching points, not five.

How many adults do I need for a U10 session?

NSPCC guidance for this age is one adult for every eight children, and the FA asks for at least two adults at every session. So 16 players need two adults and 17 need three. Bibs On works this out from the headcount you enter and tells you when you're an adult short.

What if only half my U10s turn up?

Keep the theme and change the shape. With fewer players you shrink the area and the teams, so everyone stays involved. The practices on this page redraw for 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 players. For a worked example with equipment and changes, read our guide to adapting training when fewer players arrive.

How to adapt training when fewer players arrive

What are good drills for U10 football?

Games where every child has a ball or is close to one, such as run with the ball, keep the ball and score in a pop-up goal. Avoid drills with lines and queues. Each practice on this page shows where every child stands before you put a cone down.

Can U10s use touch limits or pass counts?

Not as a standing rule. FA guidance for 5 to 11 year olds warns that if players are always limited to two touches, many won't learn to dribble. Change the space or the target instead. When Bibs On builds a plan below U11, it checks for touch limits and pass counts and asks for a rewrite of any practice that has one.

Are these U10 session plans free?

Yes. You can read and print the three practices on this page for free. Bibs On can also build a session for your exact numbers, age and theme. Free gives you a free session every week for your first two weeks, then 1 new session and 3 drills a month. Pro is £4.99 a month.