At this age, players are hitting an important stage in their development. They’re getting better with the ball, becoming more aware of team play, and starting to gear up for middle school and thinking about high school soccer.
If you're a coach leading a team or a parent practicing in the backyard, this blog shares 12 of popular games for U9 and U10 players.
These games:
- Support technical soccer development through fun and engaging soccer games
- Keep soccer practices fun and easy to run for coaches and parents
- Feature indoor and outdoor soccer games that build core skills
- Include soccer warm-up games, cone dribbling games, passing activities, and World Cup-style competitions
Let’s make practice something they can’t wait to show up for and help them get ready for whatever’s next.
1. Simon Says Soccer
Looking for a warm-up game that gets kids moving while reinforcing ball control and listening skills? Simon Says Soccer is the perfect way to start practice with energy and focus. Sneak in tons of touches with this classic game while having fun.
This game is especially helpful for U9 and U10 players looking to sharpen their awareness, coordination and discipline skills.
How to Play:
- Give every player a ball and spread them out across the field.
- The coach (or “Simon”) stands at the front and gives commands.
- If the command starts with “Simon says,” players must do the action (e.g., "Simon says do toe taps").
- If the command does not start with “Simon says,” and a player does it anyway, they’re out for the round (or perform a quick fun penalty like jumping jacks).
- Use soccer-specific moves like dribbling, toe touches, turns, pullbacks, or juggling.
- Keep rounds short and lively to maintain excitement and focus.
2. Chase the Ball
This game is all about speed, decision-making, and ball control under pressure. A perfect fit for U9 and U10 players who are preparing for faster-paced play as they move toward middle school soccer. It also adds excitement to practice by bringing in friendly competition and quick thinking.
How to Play:
- Each player on a team is assigned a number
- All the soccer players start dribbling their ball around
- The coach calls out a number (e.g., “2”).
- The two players with that number one from each team immediately try to knock the other team’s ball out of bounds.
- If a player successfully removes the opponent’s ball from the field, their team earns one point.
- The game continues with the coach calling new numbers to keep the action going.
- The team who scores the most points at the end of the game wins.
3. Capture the Balls
This is a fun soccer version of capture the flag. It encourages U9 and U10 soccer players to work together as a team focusing on ball control, passing and scanning. While the soccer players are trying to capture each other's soccer balls they will be working on strategy and getting great exercise. Great for outdoor sessions where you want high movement and creativity.
How to Play:
- Use cones to create a rectangular field with “home bases” (small squares) in each corner for teams of 3–5 players.
- Place several soccer balls down the center of the field.
- On the coach’s signal, players try to dribble or pass balls from the center or from other teams’ home bases into their own base.
- Players can steal balls from other bases and defend their own.
- At the end of each round, the soccer players huddle up to discuss strategy.
- The team with the most balls wins.
4. Team Ball Tag
Team Ball Tag is like soccer meets dodgeball. It’s a brilliant game for developing passing precision and defensive footwork, while also giving players a chance to laugh and stay active. It’s chaotic in the best way, perfect as a warm-up game or fun finisher.
How to Play:
- Set up a square field using cones.
- Create two teams with each soccer player having their own ball
- Divide players into two teams and give each player a soccer ball.
- One of the teams will be the attackers with the goal of kicking their balls into the other team's balls.
- Each successful hit earns a point.
- Alternate roles each round and tally points.
- Emphasize control, aim, and awareness.
5. Gates Passing
As players get ready for middle school soccer, passing accuracy and communication become critical. Gates Passing is a fast-paced partner game that builds precision, timing, and awareness, helping players connect passes under pressure.
How to Play:
- Set up several passing “gates” by placing two cones about 2–3 feet apart all around the field.
- Divide players into pairs, and give each pair one soccer ball.
- Players dribble and move around the field, working together to complete as many accurate passes through the gates as they can in 1–2 minutes.
- Each clean pass through a gate earns 1 point.
- Players must find a new gate after each pass they can’t use the same gate back-to-back.
- Bonus challenge: Turn it into a friendly competition and see which pair can score the most points during each round.
6. Sharks and Minnows
As U9 and U10 soccer players grow, dribbling under pressure becomes more important especially as they prepare for faster, more competitive middle school games. This game is a classic and it helps soccer players with scanning and ball control while having fun.
How to Play:
- Set up a rectangular dribbling grid using cones (about 20x30 yards, depending on your group size).
- Pick 1–2 players to be the “Sharks” and have them start in the middle without a soccer ball.
- The remaining soccer players are the minnows, they all have their own ball and start at one end of the grid.
- At the whistle the minnows have to dribble the soccer ball to the other side of the field while protecting their balls from the sharks.
- The minnow becomes a Shark if they get their ball kicked out of bounds by a Shark.
- Keep playing rounds until only one Minnow is left that player is the winner!
7. World Cup Game
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming up in North America, there’s no better way to get U9 and U10 soccer players fired up about soccer than by letting them play out their own mini version of the tournament. The World Cup Game brings teamwork, shooting, spacing, and healthy competition into one energetic, fast-moving game that kids love.
At this stage, players are preparing to move into more competitive play in middle school and beyond. This game teaches them to play under pressure, move off the ball, and work with a teammate to get a goal all while having a blast.
How to Play:
- Divide players into teams of two and let each team choose a country to represent (this makes it feel like a real World Cup!).
- Pick one player or coach to be the goalkeeper this person doesn’t play on a team.
- All teams start on the field at the same time. Use half of the field and just one soccer ball.
- The coach throws the ball into the center and yells “Go!” to start the round.
- Every team plays at once, trying to score on the goalie.
- When a team scores, they leave the field and move on to the next round.
- The team that doesn’t score is eliminated for that round.
- Keep going until two teams are left. Those two teams face off in the World Cup Final, the first to score wins!
8. Cone Dribble Relay
As U9 and U10 soccer players are preparing for middle school soccer, improving ball control, scanning and quick direction changes become important skills to work on and this fun game helps move them in the right direction. The cone dribble relay is the perfect game to sharpen their footwork and enhance their coordination and reactions. If you're running a full team practice or just working one-on-one in the yard, this game keeps players focused and fired up from the first whistle.
How to Play:
- Set up two lines of cones, with each cone about 5 feet apart one line for each team.
- Split the soccer players into two teams, lining up behind the first cone on their lane.
- On “Go!”, the lead player from each team dribbles their soccer ball through the cones, weaving in and out.
- After finishing, they sprint back and tag the next teammate in line.
- The next player goes right away, continuing the relay.
- The first team to have all players complete the course without missing any cones wins!
9. Team Handball
Team Handball is a favorite for coaches who want to improve soccer IQ without the pressure of traditional gameplay. By playing with their hands instead of their feet, players get better at awareness, teamwork, and spatial recognition. This can be played indoor or outdoor and is perfect for a warm-up.
How to Play:
- Set up a small field with two end zones (like mini endlines or marked-off areas).
- Divide players into two teams.
- Players must pass the ball using only their hands and work it down the field.
- No running while holding the ball players must pass quickly to teammates.
- A team scores by catching the ball in the opponent’s end zone.
- After scoring, the other team starts with possession.
10. Shield Steal
Shielding is one of the most underrated but essential soccer skills for youth players. U9 and U10 soccer players are starting to face more pressure during games, and learning how to protect the ball using their body is a huge step in their development.
Shield Steal introduces them to real 1v1 pressure in a fun, fast-paced way. It helps players develop balance, control under contact, and the ability to read an opponent’s movements are key ingredients for success as they move into more competitive levels of play. It’s a favorite in both indoor and outdoor sessions and always gets kids fired up.
How to Play:
- Pair players and place one soccer ball between them in a clearly marked square or circle (use cones).
- One player is the “protector” and starts with the ball, using their body to shield it.
- The other player is the “challenger” and tries to steal the ball cleanly within a set time (e.g., 30 seconds).
- If the ball is stolen or goes outside the boundary, the round ends.
- Players switch roles and repeat.
- Bonus: Track points for each successful steal to increase competitive focus.
11. 2v2 to Small Goals (Passing, Decision-Making, Game-Like Pressure)
As players get older, they need more game-like experiences that help them apply the skills they’ve been practicing like passing, spacing, and decision-making under real pressure. That’s where 2v2 to Small Goals shines. This is one of the most effective small-sided games for U9 and U10 soccer players because it challenges them to work together, make quick decisions, and learn how to transition between offense and defense all in a compact space.
Each soccer player is involved in the action due to the small team size. This results in more touches and opportunities to dribble which is what you want to enhance any U9 or U10 soccer player’s soccer IQ. Plus, the small goals encourage precision over power, helping kids focus on accurate shooting and creative setups.
How to Play:
- Set up two small goals about 15–20 yards apart.
- Create a rectangular playing area using cones (about 20x30 yards depending on the group).
- Divide players into teams of 2.
- Two teams play at a time, with the goal of scoring on the opponent’s small goal.
- Encourage players to pass, move into space, and defend as a unit.
- First team to score stays on (winner’s court), or rotate teams every 2–3 minutes for fast-paced fun.
- Add challenges like limited touches or requiring a pass before a shot to build different skills.
12. 2v2 to End Lines
This fast-paced game is all about movement, awareness, and attacking space. 2v2 to End Lines teaches young soccer players to dribble with purpose, use open space wisely, and recognize when to take on a defender or pass to a teammate. This game is not like one that focusses on shooting which is great for building confidence in ball control and tactical decision making.
This small sided game is perfect for U9 and U10 soccer players to get many touches in a match scenario without all the pressure that comes from game day. Encourage your soccer player to be creative, think ahead and try new approaches. You can play this game indoors or outdoors and require minimal setup.
As a bonus this game is a great warm-up or competitive game that encourages teamwork and hustle.
How to Play:
- Create a rectangular field using cones (about 20x30 yards).
- Divide players into teams of 2.
- Designate an “end line” on each short edge of the field.
- Two teams play at a time. The goal is to dribble the ball over the opponent’s end line under control.
- No shooting, only controlled dribbling counts as a score.
- Once a team scores or the ball goes out of bounds, reset and rotate in the next group (or play winner stays).
- Encourage quick passing, change of pace, and awareness of space.
BONUS: Be Your Best VR Soccer Training
There is no substitute for kids playing soccer on the field. But with the advancements in technology, the next generation will also be able to improve their skills and love for the game in new ways. Enter virtual reality (VR).
VR headsets allow players to have fun and practice from the comfort of their own home. And, with no physical load, VR allows players to improve without the risk of over-training.
One VR soccer training app trusted by professionals and amateurs across the globe is Be Your Best. Designed to improve players cognitive skills such as scanning, awareness, vision and decision making.
The Be Your Best technology has helped top-level players like as Martin Ødegaard and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Wolverhampton Wanderers and a number in the MLS are all current partners too.
