U8 Soccer Drills: 7 Exciting Drills Every 8-Year-Old Will Love (2024 Update)
At 8 years old, kids are full of energy, imagination, and curiosity. They’re starting to understand the basics of soccer, but they’re still all about having fun and staying active. That means U8 soccer practices need to keep things simple, exciting, and playful—while still teaching important foundational skills.
The key at this age is engaging drills that encourage dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork—without turning practice into a boring routine.
In this guide, you’ll find 7 awesome U8 soccer drills that are age-appropriate, easy to set up, and a blast for young players. Whether you’re a first-time coach or a soccer parent helping out, these games are perfect for building confidence and getting kids moving.
What Should U8 Soccer Drills Focus On?
At the U8 level, it’s all about helping kids fall in love with the game while developing coordination, balance, and basic ball skills. Here’s what you should prioritize:
- Lots of touches on the ball
- Simple dribbling and passing techniques
- Fun, game-based learning
- Teamwork and sportsmanship
- Short instructions and fast-paced drills
Remember, kids at this age have short attention spans, so drills should be quick, creative, and full of variety.
1. Red Light, Green Light (Soccer Style)
Purpose: Helps players work on ball control while making it fun and active.
Setup:
- Players start on one side of the field with a ball.
- The coach stands at the opposite end.
How to Play:
- Call out “Green light!” – players dribble forward.
- “Red light!” – players stop the ball and freeze.
- If anyone keeps moving after red light, they go back to the starting line.
- First player to reach the coach wins!
Coaching Tips:
- Encourage use of both feet.
- Add “Yellow light” for slow-motion dribbling.
- Keep the pace fun and light-hearted.
Why It Works:
It’s a classic game that teaches dribbling control, balance, and stopping on command—without kids even realizing they’re training.
2. Follow the Leader
Purpose: Develops ball handling and introduces different types of dribbling moves.
Setup:
- Pair up players with one ball each.
- One player is the leader, the other is the follower.
How to Play:
- The leader dribbles around the field performing various moves.
- The follower must mirror everything they do.
- Switch roles every minute or two.
Coaching Tips:
- Demonstrate turns, stops, and speed changes.
- Let kids get creative—encourage silly moves and fun tricks.
Why It Works:
It helps kids practice ball control while learning to observe and react, which is key in games.
3. Sharks and Minnows
Purpose: Teaches dribbling under pressure and spatial awareness.
Setup:
- Mark off a square grid.
- Choose a few “sharks” (without a ball) and the rest are “minnows” (each with a ball).
How to Play:
- Minnows dribble inside the grid trying to avoid the sharks.
- Sharks try to steal or kick balls out of the area.
- If a minnow loses their ball, they become a shark.
- Last minnow left wins!
Variations:
- Have minnows perform a skill (like a turn or fake) to avoid being tagged.
- Rotate sharks often to keep it fair.
Why It Works:
It turns dribbling into a fun survival game—teaching control, direction changes, and defensive pressure handling.
4. Gate Dribbling
Purpose: Focuses on close control, vision, and decision-making.
Setup:
- Set up lots of cone gates (two cones 1 yard apart) randomly across the field.
- Each player has a ball.
How to Play:
- Players dribble through as many gates as they can in 60 seconds.
- They can’t repeat the same gate twice in a row.
- Count how many they pass through.
Coaching Tips:
- Encourage players to keep their heads up.
- Reward use of both feet and creative dribbling.
Why It Works:
It builds ball control, awareness, and fast thinking, all in a high-energy setting.
5. Clean Your Backyard
Purpose: Teaches proper kicking technique while creating a fun challenge.
Setup:
- Divide the field in half.
- Split players into two teams—each on one side.
- Scatter soft balls (or small soccer balls) across both sides.
How to Play:
- On your signal, each team tries to “clean their yard” by kicking balls to the other side.
- After 60 seconds, the team with the fewest balls on their side wins.
Coaching Tips:
- Focus on using the instep for kicking.
- Keep the energy high and encourage cheering.
Why It Works:
This is an easy way to teach kicking power, aim, and timing—all in a hilarious and active game.
6. 1v1 Mini Games
Purpose: Encourages confidence with the ball and teaches basic attacking/defending skills.
Setup:
- Use small goals (or cones as goals) on a 10×15 yard field.
- Pair up players for short 1v1 matches.
How to Play:
- Each round starts with one player passing the ball to the other.
- The receiving player attacks; the other defends.
- After a goal or ball out of play, reset.
Progressions:
- Add a time limit or number of touches.
- Create a mini-tournament for fun competition.
Why It Works:
It helps kids get comfortable facing opponents one-on-one and builds decision-making confidence.
7. Animal Dribbling Race
Purpose: Boosts creativity, coordination, and listening skills.
Setup:
- Players line up with a ball each.
- Set up a finish line about 20 yards away.
How to Play:
- Coach calls out an animal (e.g., “Elephant!”), and players must dribble like that animal.
- Examples:
- Elephant: Big, slow touches
- Cheetah: Fast dribbling
- Crab: Sideways dribble
- Kangaroo: Bounce the ball with little toe touches
- First to cross the finish line wins!
Why It Works:
Kids get to laugh, move, and learn foot control in creative ways. Perfect for wrapping up practice.
Pro Coaching Tips for U8 Soccer Practice
- Keep instructions short and simple. Too much talking = bored kids.
- Use tons of encouragement. Focus on effort, not perfection.
- Rotate frequently. Switch drills every 5–10 minutes.
- Celebrate small wins. First goal, great pass, creative move—all deserve praise.
- End with a game. Kids love scrimmages. Even 3v3 is gold at this age.
FAQs: Coaching Soccer for 8-Year-Olds
Q: How long should U8 soccer practices be?
A: 45–60 minutes is perfect. Short and sweet keeps them focused.
Q: How often should U8s train each week?
A: 1–2 times per week is enough. Add a game day and you’re set.
Q: What ball size is right for 8-year-olds?
A: Size 3 is recommended for U8 players.
Q: Should we focus on positions at this age?
A: Not really. Rotate kids around and let them explore different roles.
Q: How do you handle kids who lose focus?
A: Mix it up! Play-based drills and short games help keep their attention.
Final Thoughts
Coaching 8-year-olds is as fun as it is rewarding. They’re curious, silly, and bursting with energy—and with the right drills, they can grow a strong foundation in the sport without even realizing they’re learning.
The 7 U8 soccer drills above are perfect for building dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork skills—all while keeping things playful and exciting. Whether you’re running a full team session or just kicking around in the backyard, these games will help young players fall in love with soccer.
