Under 7s & Under 8s

Development of ball mastery, dribbling confidence, and basic 1v1 skills through play

The Under 7s and Under 8s age group builds on foundation skills with greater emphasis on ball mastery and individual technique. Children at this age are ready for more structured activities whilst still requiring fun, variety, and success. Sessions should develop confidence on the ball, basic dribbling skills, and simple decision-making in 1v1 situations. Small-sided games remain crucial for maximising touches and involvement.

Development Priorities

1Ball mastery and close control development
2Dribbling with confidence in all directions
3Basic 1v1 skills (attack and defend)
4First touch and receiving the ball
5Striking the ball with purpose
6Enjoyment and positive experiences maintained
7Simple decision-making (when to dribble, when to pass)

Session Structure

✓Sessions of 45-60 minutes maximum
✓Lots of repetition with the ball
✓Individual skill work before pairs/small groups
✓Transition from practices to small games
✓Regular water breaks and activity changes
✓Every child with a ball wherever possible

Common Mistakes

!Introducing complex passing patterns too early
!Discouraging dribbling in favour of passing
!Expecting tactical awareness beyond simple concepts
!Making children play in fixed positions
!Too much talking, not enough playing
!Comparing children or highlighting weaknesses publicly

Suggested Drills

✓Dribbling through gates scattered around the area
✓1v1 races to a line with the ball
✓Shooting practice at multiple small goals
✓Red light/green light with ball manipulation
✓Sharks and minnows with dribbling
✓Simple turn and shoot activities

Ask FootballGPT

“What are the best ball mastery exercises for 7 year olds?”

“How do I teach dribbling to Under 8s?”

“Should children this age pass or dribble more?”

“What game format works best for this age group?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Under 7s and 8s focus on passing or dribbling?

Dribbling should be the primary focus at this age. Children need to develop confidence and competence on the ball through individual skill work. Passing will develop naturally, but ball mastery and 1v1 ability at this age creates technically secure players for the future.

What is the ideal session length for this age group?

45-60 minutes is appropriate for Under 7s and 8s. Structure sessions with variety, change activities every 8-10 minutes, and finish with a small-sided game. If energy drops significantly, end the session early rather than pushing through fatigue.

How do I teach defending to young children?

Keep it very simple. Teach children to stay between the ball and the goal, get close to the dribbler, and try to win the ball when the opponent takes a heavy touch. Avoid complex defensive tactics or positioning at this age.

Should I rotate positions or let children specialise?

Absolutely rotate everyone everywhere. Children this age should experience all areas of the pitch and all roles. Specialisation is harmful at this stage and limits long-term development. Let everyone try everything.

What are the key outcomes for this age group?

Every child should leave sessions with a smile, having touched the ball hundreds of times, and feeling more confident with it. Technical development, enjoyment, and building positive relationships with football are the only outcomes that matter.

Related Age Groups

🌱Under 5s & Under 6s 🌳Under 9s & Under 10s 🏃Under 11s & Under 12s

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