FA age phase: Foundation Phase (5-11) · FA match format from 2026/27: 7v7 · What does this mean?

Session guide · U10-U11

How to build a training session for U10-U11

A 75-minute session, step by step: warm-up, technical, game and cool-down, built from the We Are Matchday drill library.

Download the U10-U11 programmes PDF All programmes

Session at a glance

Block	Time	Activity
1. Warm-up	13 min	Gate Dribbling
2. Technical	17 min	Pass Through the Gate
3. Technical	17 min	Rondo 4v1
4. Game	23 min	Possession 4v4
5. Cool-down	5 min	Mobility Cool-down

Squad size: 8-16 · Focus this example: Passing · Kit: 20 cones, bibs in 2 colours, a ball each, 2 small goals, water.

No separate conditioning block at this age: fitness comes from games and fun movement.

Step by step

Warm-up · 13 min

Gate Dribbling

Dribble through as many 1m gates as possible in 60 seconds.

Players: 1+ · Equipment: cones, bibs, balls

What to look for

Lots of touches, everyone moving
Build effort bit by bit
Head up, scan the space

Make it harder: Add a ball each / reduce the space

Technical · 17 min

Pass Through the Gate

Pairs 8m apart pass through a 1m gate; receive across the body.

Players: 2+ · Equipment: cones, bibs, balls

What to look for

Show once, then let them play
Both feet, first touch out of feet
Praise effort and good decisions

Make it harder: Limit touches, add a walking-pace then active defender

Technical · 17 min

Rondo 4v1

10x10m, 4 keep the ball from 1; defender swaps on a win.

Players: 5+ · Equipment: cones, bibs, balls

What to look for

Show once, then let them play
Both feet, first touch out of feet
Praise effort and good decisions

Make it harder: Limit touches, add a walking-pace then active defender

Game · 23 min

Possession 4v4

25x20m, 5 passes = 1 point.

Players: 8+ · Equipment: cones, bibs, balls

What to look for

Let the game be the teacher
Freeze only now and then, ask questions
Keep score to raise effort

Make it harder: Add a target or condition (e.g. 2-touch), change numbers (overload/underload)

Cool-down · 5 min

Mobility Cool-down

Hips, hamstrings, calves, adductors at 4 cones.

Players: 1+ · Equipment: cones, bibs, balls

What to look for

Slow jog and easy stretches
Recap one key learning point
Set the homework

Make it harder: Players lead it themselves

The U10-U11 programmes

6-week pre-season: 6 weeks, foci Fitness, Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Defending. 2 team sessions a week plus a match, with linked solo homework each week.
6-week in-season: 6 weeks, foci Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Defending. 2 team sessions a week plus a match, with linked solo homework each week.
4-week off-season (solo): 4 weeks, foci Dribbling, Shooting, Passing, Fitness. Solo sessions only, 3 a week.
6-week goalkeeper: 6 weeks, foci Goalkeeping. 2 team sessions a week plus a match, with linked solo homework each week.

Each week in the PDF lists the days, a full session with diagrams and the linked solo homework.

Linked solo homework

Warm-up, 6 min: Ball Mastery Circuit – Toe taps, sole rolls, V-pulls, 30 seconds each
Technical, 9 min: Wall Passing – 1 and 2-touch passes against a wall from 5m, alternate feet
Challenge, 10 min: 1v1 Moves Lane – Step-over, scissor, La Croqueta at each cone then burst
Cool-down, 5 min: Mobility Cool-down – Hips, hamstrings, calves, adductors at 4 cones

Set this at the cool-down so it practises the same skill as the session.

Safety and heading guidance

No heading in training (FA guidance). Heading in matches is rare; don't coach it.
Check the area for hazards; goals must be anchored.
Water breaks every 15-20 minutes; adjust for heat and cold.
Have a first-aid kit and emergency contacts; follow your club's safeguarding policy (DBS-checked coaches for under-18s).

Source: The FA heading guidance. General guidance only; adapt to your players.