Soccer Drills for 11 and 12 Year Olds

What U12 players need (ages 10 to 12)

U11 and U12 players can think about the team, not just the ball. They're ready for ideas like width, depth, pressure and cover, and they want to know why a drill matters. Plan for that:

• Teach small tactics in small groups. 2v2 defending, 3v2 attacks and rondos teach team ideas with lots of touches.
• Give the reason. One sentence on why ("this is how we stop counterattacks") gets more buy-in than a long explanation.
• Expect growth spurts. Some players grow fast and look clumsy for a while. Be patient, and don't judge long-term potential on one season.
• Peers matter a lot. Praise in public, correct in private, and let captains run the rondo or set up cones.
• Keepers need their own work. Ten minutes of handling and distribution every practice makes a big difference in 9v9.

US Soccer's 2026 U.S. WAY guidance lists up to 9v9 for U11–U12. Its small-sided standards (PDI) and the PDI FAQ set the details:

Why there are no heading drills here

Heading isn't allowed through U11. At U12, US Soccer's U.S. WAY U11–U12 guide limits heading practice to no more than 30 minutes per week and 15–20 headers per player per week. Because U11 and U12 players often train together, no drill on this page involves heading. If your club adds heading practice for U12 players only, keep it within those limits.

Best U12 soccer drills (U11 and U12)

These 12 soccer drills for 11 and 12 year olds (football drills, outside the US) are grouped by skill, from possession and finishing to defending, goalkeeping and team shape. In the diagrams, GK marks a goalkeeper and light red arrows are shots.

Team A Team B Coach Keeper Cone Pass Run Dribble Shot

Dribbling and 1v1

Running with the ball and beating a player still win games at 9v9. For a ball mastery warm-up, use the Ball Mastery Warm-Up with its harder progressions.

Three-Zone Breakout

Focus: Running with the ball at speed, beating a defender and protecting the ball after the move

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

9–14: three defenders, everyone else with a ball

Time

10 minutes

Space

30 × 20 yards in three 10-yard zones

Equipment

1 ball per attacker, 8 cones, Pinnies for the defenders

How it works

1. On the coach's call, all the attackers dribble through the three zones and stop the ball on the far end line.
2. Each defender stays in their own zone and tries to win a ball or knock it out.
3. An attacker who loses the ball collects it and carries on from the start of the next zone. Nobody is out.
4. Count how many attackers get through without losing the ball. Swap defenders after every two runs.

Coaching points

• Big touches into open space, small touches when a defender is close
• Beat the defender, then speed up into the next zone
• Look up as you enter each zone to see where its defender is
• Defenders: stay on your feet, be patient and push attackers toward the sideline

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: defenders can only block, not tackle
• Harder: two defenders in the middle zone
• Finish by passing through a cone gate on the far end line instead of stopping the ball

1v1 Two-Gate Battles

Focus: 1v1 moves (fakes, cuts, step-overs), changing direction, defending 1v1

Ages

U9–U12 (ages 8–12)

Players

Pairs, on as many fields as you need

Time

10 minutes

Space

15 × 15 yards per field

Equipment

1 ball per pair, 4 corner cones, 8 cones for four 2-yard gates

How it works

1. One player passes to the other from their end line. The receiver attacks; the passer steps out to defend.
2. Score by dribbling through either of the opponent's gates under control.
3. Play nonstop for 60–90 seconds: after a goal, the player who was scored on restarts from their own end line.
4. Rest while another pair plays, then switch opponents.

Coaching points

• Fake toward one gate to move the defender, then explode toward the other
• Attack at speed, slow down to make the move, then speed up again
• Shield with your body when the defender gets tight
• Defender: angle your body to push the attacker toward one gate, then block it

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: 3-yard gates, or the defender starts 5 yards farther back
• Harder: the attacker has 6 seconds to score
• Add a third gate in the middle of each end line, or play 2v2

Passing and possession

Quick, accurate passing under pressure is the core skill at this age.

Rondo 5v2

Focus: Passing under pressure, splitting defenders, scanning, defending as a pair

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

Groups of 7

Time

10–12 minutes

Space

12 × 12 yards per group

Equipment

1 ball per group, 4 cones per group, 2 pinnies per group

How it works

1. The five outside players keep possession while the two defenders work together to win the ball.
2. Ten passes in a row earns a point, and a pass that splits the two defenders earns a point on its own.
3. When the defenders win the ball or it leaves the square, the player who made the mistake swaps with the defender who has been in the middle longest.
4. Change defenders at least every 2 minutes.

Coaching points

• Look around before the ball arrives so you know your next pass
• Play the split pass when the two defenders drift apart
• Receive half-turned, with the foot farther from the ball
• Defenders: one presses the ball, the other covers the split

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: play 5v1 or use a 15 × 15 yard square
• Harder: two touches at most, or a 10 × 10 yard square
• When the defenders win the ball, they score by making three passes between them

Give-and-Go Diamond

Focus: Give-and-go passes (one-twos), passing with the right weight, moving straight after the pass

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

6–8 per diamond: a wall player at each side cone, the rest at the top and bottom

Time

10–12 minutes

Space

15 × 15 yards

Equipment

1–2 balls per diamond, 4 cones

How it works

1. The first player at the bottom cone passes to the right wall player and sprints forward.
2. The wall player passes back first time into the runner's path.
3. The runner takes one touch and passes to the top cone, then jogs to the back of that line.
4. The top player starts the same pattern down the left side. Swap the wall players every 2 minutes and switch sides so everyone uses both feet.

Coaching points

• Pass, then move straight away: the run makes the give-and-go work
• Wall player: open your body and play the return pass in front of the runner
• Firm passes on the ground, so the runner never has to slow down
• Make eye contact before you pass

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: the wall player can take two touches
• Harder: one touch for everyone, or start a second ball from the top
• Add a defender in the middle who tries to cut out the return pass

Receiving under pressure

Players who look before the ball arrives can turn and play forward instead of passing back.

Play Through the Middle

Focus: Scanning, receiving on the half-turn and playing forward past a defender

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

Groups of 6

Time

12–14 minutes

Space

30 × 15 yards in three 10-yard zones

Equipment

Balls, 8 cones, Pinnies

How it works

1. An end-zone player passes to the receiver in the middle, who tries to turn and pass to the far end zone.
2. If the defender is tight, the receiver plays it back and the end players move to open a new passing line.
3. Passes stay on the ground, and a pass from one end zone to the other through the receiver is a point. The defender scores by winning the ball and dribbling out of the middle zone.
4. Players stay in their zones. Swap the middle pair with an end pair every 90 seconds.

Coaching points

• Look over both shoulders before the ball arrives
• Receive side-on, with the foot farther from the ball, so you can see forward
• Defender behind you: play it back. Defender to one side: turn the other way
• End players: slide along your zone to open a passing line

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: the defender can block passes but not tackle
• Harder: two touches at most for the receiver
• Play 2v2 in the middle zone, with groups of 8

Shooting and finishing

Cut-backs along the ground create good chances in 9v9 without any heading.

Cut-Back and Finish

Focus: Getting to the end line, cutting the ball back on the ground, and timing runs to finish first time

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

6–8 plus a goalkeeper; with more, set up a second goal

Time

12 minutes

Space

30 × 25 yards

Equipment

Balls, 6 cones, 1 goal

How it works

1. The first central player passes wide to the first wide player, then runs toward goal.
2. The wide player dribbles toward the end line, looks up and cuts the ball back along the ground. No high crosses, so there's no heading.
3. The runner arrives on time and shoots first time, low. The keeper tries to save.
4. Players swap lines after each turn. After 5 minutes, move the wide line to the left so everyone uses both feet.

Coaching points

• Wide player: get close to the end line before you cut back
• Cut the ball back into the space in front of the runner, not to where they are now
• Runner: arrive late and fast instead of waiting near the goal
• Finish low with the inside of the foot or the laces, toward the far post

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: the runner may take a touch before shooting
• Harder: add a defender who tracks the runner
• Add a second runner: one attacks the near post, the other arrives late in the middle

Defending drills for U12

Start with one defender, then teach pairs to pressure and cover.

1v1 Defending: Show Them Wide

Focus: Defending 1v1: closing down, getting side-on and steering the attacker away from goal

Ages

U9–U12 (ages 8–12)

Players

Pairs, one channel per pair

Time

8–10 minutes

Space

15 × 20 yards per channel

Equipment

1 ball per pair, 8 cones per channel

How it works

1. The defender passes to the attacker and steps out to defend.
2. The attacker scores 3 points by dribbling through the middle gate, or 1 point through a corner gate.
3. The defender scores 2 points by winning the ball and dribbling over the attacker's end line.
4. Swap roles after every turn. Play to 10, then change partners.

Coaching points

• Close down fast while the pass travels, then slow down as you get near
• Stop about an arm's length away, get low and stand side-on
• Angle your body to push the attacker toward a sideline, away from the middle gate
• Be patient: tackle when the attacker takes a heavy touch

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: the defender starts halfway down the channel
• Harder: the attacker has 8 seconds to score
• Make it 2v1: the defender delays until a second defender sprints back to help

2v2 Defending: Pressure and Cover

Focus: Defending as a pair: the first defender pressures, the second covers

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

6–8 per area, in two teams; with more, set up a second area

Time

12 minutes

Space

20 × 25 yards

Equipment

Balls, 8 cones, 1 small goal, Pinnies

How it works

1. A defender passes to the attackers to start, and both defenders step up.
2. The defender nearest the ball pressures it; the second defender takes a covering spot behind and to the side.
3. When the ball is passed, the defenders swap jobs: the cover becomes the pressure.
4. Attackers score a point for a goal; defenders score a point for winning the ball and passing through a gate. Swap roles every four tries.

Coaching points

• First defender: close down while the ball travels, then slow down, get low and stand side-on
• Show the attacker one way: toward the sideline or toward your cover
• Second defender: stay a few yards behind and to the side, close enough to help and far enough to see both attackers
• Talk: "I've got ball!" and "Cover left!"

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: start 2v1, with the second defender joining after the attackers' first pass
• Harder: play 3v2 so the defenders must decide who to press
• Add a keeper and a full-size goal

Goalkeeping drills

Run these with a parent helper while the field players warm up, or fold them into the team drills.

Keeper Distribution to Wide Players

Focus: Goalkeeper handling and distribution with rolls, throws and passes; wide players getting open

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

1–2 goalkeepers plus 2–4 field players

Time

10–12 minutes

Space

35 × 30 yards

Equipment

Balls, 12 cones, 1 goal

How it works

1. The coach shoots or rolls a ball at the keeper from 15–18 yards.
2. As the keeper gathers the ball, both wide players sprint into the wide zones and call for it.
3. The keeper rolls, throws or passes to the open player, who takes a touch forward and dribbles over the far end line.
4. Swap keepers every 5 minutes, and have the wide players switch sides each turn.

Coaching points

• Keeper: get your body behind the ball; catch balls above the waist with your hands in a W shape and scoop low balls into your chest
• Look up before you release, and pick the player who is open and facing forward
• Roll for short distances and throw for longer ones, aiming at the receiver's front foot
• Wide players: start inside, then run wide early so the keeper has a target

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: the coach rolls the ball into the keeper's hands instead of shooting
• Harder: add a defender who presses one wide player, so the keeper must choose the other side
• Goal-kick round: pass from the ground to a wide player

Keeper Angles: Set and Narrow the Shot

Focus: Goalkeeper positioning: moving across with the ball, setting the feet before the shot and narrowing the angle

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

1–2 goalkeepers plus 3–6 shooters

Time

10–12 minutes

Space

30 × 25 yards

Equipment

Balls, 9 cones, 1 goal

How it works

1. A shooter dribbles from one of the three cones and shoots after crossing the shooting line.
2. The keeper shuffles across to stay in line with the ball and the middle of the goal, then steps forward to narrow the angle.
3. As the shooter gets ready to strike, the keeper sets: feet planted, weight forward, hands ready.
4. Shooters go in a quick rhythm from different cones. Swap keepers every 8–10 shots.

Coaching points

• Picture a line from the ball to the middle of the goal, and stay on it
• Quick side steps; don't cross your feet
• Be set and balanced when the shot comes, not still moving
• After a save, get up fast for the rebound

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: shooters pass the ball firmly at the keeper instead of shooting
• Harder: shooters may dribble past the line and go around the keeper, who decides when to come out and stays big and on their feet
• Add a second shooter who follows in for rebounds

Small-sided games and transition

Finish the drill block with a game that tests the week's idea under real pressure.

3v2 Attack, 2v1 Counter

Focus: Attacking with a numbers advantage, quick decisions, switching from attack to defense

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

9–12, plus two goalkeepers

Time

12–15 minutes

Space

40 × 30 yards

Equipment

Balls, 4 cones, 2 goals, Pinnies

How it works

1. Three attackers start from the halfway line with a ball and attack the goal defended by two defenders and a keeper.
2. When the attack ends (a goal, a save, a miss or a lost ball), the two defenders attack the other goal straight away.
3. The attacker who last touched the ball stays to defend the 2v1; the other two join the back of the attacking line.
4. A new group of three starts as soon as the 2v1 ends, against the next pair of defenders waiting beside the first goal; the two who countered join the back of that line. Keep score for both phases.

Coaching points

• Attack with width: one player central and one on each side
• Ball carrier: drive at a defender to draw them in, then release the pass
• Decide fast, because a 3v2 doesn't last long
• Lone defender in the 2v1: slow the attack down and stay between the ball and the goal

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: play 2v1 one way and 1v1 back
• Harder: the 3v2 must finish within 10 seconds, or add a recovering defender
• Play 4v3 one way and 3v2 back

Switching Play: Wide Channel Game

Focus: Using the width of the field, switching play, keeping possession

Ages

U11–U14 (ages 10–14)

Players

10–14 (5v5 to 7v7, including keepers)

Time

15 minutes

Space

50 × 40 yards

Equipment

Balls, 8 cones, 2 goals, Pinnies

How it works

1. Play 5v5 to 7v7 with keepers.
2. Only one attacking player at a time may enter a channel, and defenders can't follow them in.
3. A goal counts double if the team played the ball through both channels during that attack.
4. Restart from the keeper after every goal or goal kick. Play 5–6 minute games, then rotate.

Coaching points

• Look up before you receive: is the far side open?
• Switch with two or three quick passes on the ground rather than one long, hopeful ball
• Wide players: stay wide and high early to make the field big
• When you lose the ball, get compact again fast

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: add a neutral player who plays for the team with the ball
• Harder: defenders may follow into the channels
• Goals count only after the ball has been switched

75-minute U12 soccer practice plan

Here's week 1 of the season plan below. With 14–16 players, run two rondo groups of seven (with fewer, one 5v2 and one 4v1) and two give-and-go diamonds at once.

Reward the week's theme in the scrimmage: for example, in a defending week a goal counts double if it starts with a won ball. For an earlier stage, the U10 soccer drills cover passing squares, 4v1 rondos and 2v1s.

8-week U12 soccer season plan

Keep the 75-minute shape above and change the drills each week. Each week has one theme; drills return with a new focus, so players can work at full speed instead of learning rules. Keepers alternate Keeper Distribution and Keeper Angles during the warm-up.

Scrimmage twists: in week 4, a goal that starts with a won ball counts double; in week 6, restart from the keeper after every goal; in week 8, play two halves with subs, like game day. After week 8, repeat the cycle with the harder versions, or give an extra week to whatever your games show you need most.

Tips for volunteer coaches of U11 and U12 teams

• One theme per practice. Choose drills that teach it and a scrimmage rule that rewards it. Players remember one idea, not five.
• Use a parent helper for keepers. A helper with a bag of balls can run keeper work while you run the rondo.
• Ask before you tell. "What did you see?" and "Where was the space?" make players think, and their answers show you what they understand.
• Watch the workload. Growth spurts, other sports and school all add up. Plan rest and water breaks, and back off when players look tired.
• No physical punishment. Running laps or push-ups for mistakes teaches kids to fear mistakes. Use a quick reset and a positive tip instead.

U12 game day: 9v9 formations and subs

The 3-3-2 and 3-2-3 are good starting shapes for most U11–U12 teams. Our 9v9 formations guide compares six shapes with diagrams, and the 9v9 field dimensions guide covers field size and markings. Unsure which age group your players are in? Check youth soccer age groups.

With up to 16 players for nine spots, fair minutes take planning. US Soccer recommends that every player plays at least 50% of each game. Our youth substitution strategy guide shows simple 9v9 rotation patterns, and the planner does the math for your roster.

Coaching a younger team too? Browse all ages on the soccer drills for kids hub.