U10 Passing Session Plan (60 Minutes, Free)

The full session plan

Six timed phases totalling 60 minutes. Run them in order — each phase feeds the next.

1. 1

   Arrival activity

   5 min

   Pass and move squares

   Set up: Ball between two inside the area. Players pass, follow their pass two steps, then move to a new space. No queues, no waiting.

   Coaching points

   • -Inside of the foot, ankle locked
   • -Pass to the foot furthest from any traffic
   • -Call your partner's name before you pass

   Progression: Add a second ball per pair once they're comfortable.

2. 2

   Warm up

   10 min

   Four-goal rondo warm up

   Set up: 12 x 12 yard square, five attackers around the outside, one defender in the middle. Two-touch maximum, change defender every 45 seconds.

   Coaching points

   • -Open your body before the ball arrives so you can see both sides
   • -Move a yard to create a passing line, don't stand still
   • -Firm pass along the floor — slow passes get intercepted

   Progression: Two defenders, or one-touch for the receiving player.

3. 3

   Technical practice

   12 min

   Pass, set, spin (third-man runs)

   Set up: Groups of three across a 20 yard channel: A passes to B, B sets back, A plays a longer pass to C who receives on the turn and travels. Rotate roles after each rep.

   Coaching points

   • -Set pass firm and to the back foot
   • -Receiver takes their first touch out of their feet, forward
   • -The third player starts moving as the set pass is played

   Progression: Add a passive defender behind C so they must check away first.

4. 4

   Skill practice

   13 min

   4v2 into 4v4

   Set up: 30 x 25 pitch split into two halves. 4v2 overload in the first half — after five passes the team plays into the far half and it becomes 4v4 with a mini goal each end.

   Coaching points

   • -Use the overload — the free player is always one pass away
   • -Head up before you receive, not after
   • -Play forward when the line is open, keep it when it isn't

   Progression: Reduce to three passes before travelling to speed up decisions.

5. 5

   Small-sided game

   15 min

   6v6 two-goal passing game

   Set up: Full 40 x 30 pitch, two mini goals at each end. A goal counts double if the team strings three passes together in the attack.

   Coaching points

   • -Support at angles — never stand behind the player on the ball
   • -Speed of ball beats speed of player
   • -Recover the ball as a group when you lose it

   Progression: Remove the double-goal rule for the last five minutes and let them play.

6. 6

   Cool down & review

   5 min

   Juggle, stretch and two questions

   Set up: Ball each, light toe-taps and juggling, then a short group huddle.

   Coaching points

   • -Ask: what tells you it's on to pass forward?
   • -Ask each player one thing they'll practise before next week

   Progression: Finish with a team target for the next match.

Drills used in this theme

Swap any practice above for another on the same theme.

FAQs

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