45-minute U8 soccer practice plan

Your 45-minute session

8 players · 1 adult
Have the equipment listed for every active group. Recheck the grouping if attendance changes.

1. 0–3minutes

   Warm-up

   Walk around a clear area, gradually picking up the pace. Introduce today’s focus and show the first activity.

2. 3–13minutes

   Toe taps

   Alternate light touches on top of a stationary ball without putting body weight on it. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Give each player a ball and a personal space at least two arm-lengths from the next player, spread across the coach’s view. Everyone works in their own area; no line or odd-player rotation is needed. Pause after short attempts to demonstrate or rest. Begin with both feet on the ground and the ball just in front.

   1. Lift one foot, touch the top of the ball lightly with the sole near the toes, then return that foot to the ground.
   2. Repeat with the other foot. Keep the ball nearly still and keep your weight over the supporting foot.
   3. Try a short alternating sequence, pause and reset. If the ball escapes, stop nearby players before collecting it.

   Equipment: 1 appropriate practice ball per player

   Keep it safe: Never stand on or transfer body weight onto the ball. Keep the ball on the ground and stop if balance is uncertain. Leave room for a rolling ball; no aerial kicks, tackling or contact. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. Rest or choose the easier option whenever control deteriorates.

3. 13–22minutes

   Foundation touches (inside-foot taps)

   Move the ball gently from one inside foot to the other while staying balanced. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Give each player a ball and a personal space at least two arm-lengths from the next player, spread across the coach’s view. Everyone works in their own area; no line or odd-player rotation is needed. Pause after short attempts to demonstrate or rest. Set the ball between the feet with room for a small side-to-side movement.

   1. Use the inside of one foot to nudge the ball toward the other foot.
   2. Receive softly with the other inside foot and nudge it back, keeping touches small.
   3. Pause after a short sequence, then try again with the shoulders relaxed and the ball within easy reach.

   Equipment: 1 appropriate practice ball per player

   Keep it safe: Use a clear level surface and stop all nearby activity before retrieving a loose ball. Keep separate active and waiting areas. Do not add contact, speed contests or a forced repetition target. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. Rest or choose the easier option whenever control deteriorates.

4. 22–23minutes

   Water break

   Offer water and reset the activity areas.

5. 23–31minutes

   Gate passing

   Send a ground pass through a wide window to a partner. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Partners stand 4–6 yards apart with a two-yard window halfway between. Use low flat markers or clear existing field markings for the window; do not use shoes or raised objects. An odd player forms a trio and changes with the passer after every pass. Use existing clear field markings for all boundaries and targets if flat markers are unavailable; choose another activity if the described layout cannot be made visible.

   1. Check that the receiver is ready.
   2. Pass along the ground through the window using the inside of the foot.
   3. The receiver cushions the ball, moves it into a comfortable spot and returns it.
   4. After a minute, agree whether to move closer or farther apart.

   Equipment: 1 ball per pair available; groups of 3 or more share one active ball and leave spares outside the area; Optional 2 flat markers per pair; existing clear field markings may replace these

   Keep it safe: Leave gaps between lanes; do not use hard or raised objects as targets. Keep the ball on the ground; no heading or body contact. Use a clear, level area and pause for water or discomfort as needed. Leave spare balls and personal equipment outside all movement and shooting paths. For mixed ages, form pairs by a comfortable passing distance and pace, not age alone. Use the easier entry point first; a player may stay there while another uses the optional progression. No contact or forced speed.

6. 31–42minutes

   Dribble over the end line

   Score by dribbling the ball across the end line under control. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Use 2v2 through 5v5 with a neutral helper for odd numbers. At 12, rotate two players every minute. The entire far end line is the scoring target; no goals are needed. Use existing clear field markings for all boundaries and targets if flat markers are unavailable; choose another activity if the described layout cannot be made visible.

   1. Teams pass or dribble toward opposite end lines.
   2. A point counts when a player crosses the far line with the ball within one comfortable step.
   3. Defenders may intercept passes and cover routes but cannot tackle the dribbler.
   4. The other team restarts freely from the end after a point.

   Equipment: 1 ball; 4 flat markers; existing clear field markings may replace these; Optional team bibs

   Keep it safe: Leave several yards clear beyond end lines; stop before contact, rather than blocking a carrier physically. Keep the ball on the ground; no heading or body contact. Use a clear, level area and pause for water or discomfort as needed. Leave spare balls and personal equipment outside all movement and shooting paths.

7. 42–45minutes

   Cool-down and check-in

   Walk at an easy pace, offer water, and ask players to name one thing they want to try again next time.