U9 football session plans

Three practices for under 9s, set up for the 2026/27 5v5 format. Pick 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 players and each one redraws so every child is playing.

U9 at a glance

Match format
5v5 at most
Ball
Size 3
Heading in training
None
Restarts
Pass-in or dribble-in
Adults
One for every six players, never fewer than two

Updated for FA FutureFit 2026/27.

Last updated: 18 October 2026

Three U9 practices

Practice 1 · 12 min

Dribbling: keep the ball close and find space

Gate dribble

Players tonight
10

Set up

Every player has a ball, inside the square. These pairs of cones are the gates. Each player dribbles through as many gates as they can, in one minute. One point for each gate.

10 players, 10 balls, 2 adults

Keep the ball close and look up to find a free gate.

Set up

Mark a 20 x 20 m square. Put 6 gates inside it, two cones 1.5 m apart, at least 4 m between gates. Every player has a ball.

Who goes where

  • Players: 10, in the square.

How to play

  1. Players dribble through as many gates as they can in one minute.
  2. They can't use the same gate twice in a row.
  3. One point for each gate.
  4. Try to beat your score next time.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Dribble through as many gates as you can. You can't use the same gate twice in a row. Count your gates.

Say while it runs

  1. Small touches with your laces and the inside.

    Praise it when the ball stays close as they reach a gate

  2. Look up to find a gate nobody is using.

    Praise it when their head comes up between touches

Ask at the drink How did you know which gate was free?

Five minutes in

Too easy

If most players score ten or more, add one defender with no ball who blocks a gate.

Too hard

If the ball runs away from them, make the gates 2 m wide.

Practice 2 · 12 min

Passing: find a team-mate who is free

Pass through the gates

Players tonight
10

Set up

Players work in pairs, with one ball between them. The cones make gates around the square. Each pair passes through a gate, then moves to a new one.

10 players, 5 balls, 2 adults

Pass through a gate to a team-mate who is ready for it.

Set up

Mark a 20 x 20 m square. Put 7 gates inside it, two cones 1.5 m apart. Players work in twos with one ball between them.

Who goes where

  • Players: 10, in the square.

How to play

  1. Partners pass to each other through a gate, then both find a new gate.
  2. Each time, find a gate you haven't used yet.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Pass to your partner through a gate. Then both of you find a gate you haven't used yet.

Say while it runs

  1. Look at your partner before you pass.

    Praise it when their head comes up before the pass

  2. Stop it with the inside of your foot.

    Praise it when the inside of the foot meets the ball

Ask at the drink When is your partner ready for the pass?

Five minutes in

Too easy

If pairs score easily, make the gates 1 m wide.

Too hard

If passes miss the gates, make them 2.5 m wide.

Practice 3 · 12 min

1v1s: beat the guard and keep the ball

Gate guards

Players tonight
10

Set up

The Attackers in red each have a ball. The Guards in blue stand one in each gate. The Attackers try to dribble through any gate. Each gate they get through scores a point.

10 players, 5 balls, 2 adults

Beat a defender one against one and keep the ball.

Set up

Mark a 20 x 20 m square with 5 gates inside it, two cones 2 m apart. 5 attackers have a ball each. 5 guards in bibs stand one in each gate.

Who goes where

  • Attackers: 5, in the square.
  • Guards: 5 in blue bibs, in the square.
  • Every two minutes, attackers and guards swap.

How to play

  1. Attackers try to dribble through any gate.
  2. The guard in that gate tries to win the ball.
  3. A guard who wins the ball passes it back to the attacker.
  4. Attackers get a point for each gate they get through.

Coaching points

Say this to start

Attackers, dribble through any gate you can. Guards, stay in your gate and win the ball. We swap every two minutes.

Say while it runs

  1. Run at the guard, then go past.

    Praise it when they change speed as they reach the guard

  2. Guards, stay on your feet.

    Praise it when the guard stays standing and watches the ball

Ask at the drink Which way did you go past the guard, and why?

Five minutes in

Too easy

If attackers get through too easily, make the gates 1.5 m wide.

Too hard

If guards win every ball, make the gates 3 m wide.

How a U9 session runs

  1. 0-10Arrival game. Children join in as they turn up, so nobody waits.
  2. 10-22First practice on tonight's theme.
  3. 22-35Second practice, same theme, a bit harder. Drinks at the change.
  4. 35-60Small-sided games, 3v3 or 4v4, so everyone is on the ball.

What changes for U9s in 2026/27

U9 matches were 7v7 last season. From 2026/27 the most they play is 5v5, the same as U8. Fewer players means more touches and more 1v1s, so train in small groups and small areas.

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

On match day the question is minutes, not drills. Make a 5v5 team sheet that shares the minutes

Build tonight's session for your numbers

Tell Bibs On it's U9, how many came and what you want to work on. It draws the pitch for exactly that.

Plan tonight's session

U9 coaching questions

What format do U9s play in 2026/27?

Under the FA's FutureFit changes for 2026/27, a U9 match is 5v5 at most, the same as U8. 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 9s 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 U9s head the ball in training?

No. FA guidance is no heading in training up to and including U11. Bibs On checks every U9 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 U9 training session be?

The FA doesn't set a length. Bibs On plans a U9 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 U9 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 U9, use plain football words and give one or two coaching points, not five.

How many adults do I need for a U9 session?

NSPCC guidance for this age is one adult for every six children, and the FA asks for at least two adults at every session. So 12 players need two adults and 13 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 U9s 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 U9 football?

Games where every child has a ball or is close to one, such as gate dribble, pass through the gates and gate guards. Avoid drills with lines and queues. Each practice on this page shows where every child stands before you put a cone down.

How is 5v5 different from 7v7 for U9s?

With fewer players on the pitch, each child gets more touches and makes more decisions. Plan training to match, with small groups, plenty of 1v1 and 2v1, and practices on beating a player and winning the ball back. Your league's handbook gives the 5v5 pitch and goal sizes.

Are these U9 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.