U10 Shooting Practice

Standard 20×16 area. Skip the 'open it up' phase — we want pairs to stay tight and focused. The communication culture this drill builds (calling for the ball) carries directly into the finishing block where attackers will need to ask for the through ball.

The technical centrepiece. Run the full progression including the 100% pace defender at minute 12. With 9 players the rotation is fast — keep reps tight. If players are missing every shot, cut to 5-second timer for two rounds, then return to 3 seconds once confidence returns.

Run the easier variation — slower through balls, no defender, mini-goals if no keeper. Focus on run timing more than the finish itself. Don't run the two-attackers progression at U10 — keep it 1v1 with the keeper. Each player should get 8–10 attacking reps.

Open shooting — every player picks their favourite finish style and takes 3 unopposed shots. Send them home with the satisfying feeling of the ball hitting the net. Don't coach during this block — let them play.