Soccer Universe U9 - U10 Curriculum
Stage 1 + Stage 2
Technical Skills + Simple Tactical
Make the Ball Their Best Friend.
At U9–U10, players begin turning basic familiarity into real control. The focus is a strong relationship with the ball, better movement, simple game awareness and the confidence to solve problems in 1v1 and small-sided situations.
Fun Foundation: Best Friend is Ball
These two years are about making the ball feel like an extension of the player. Other concepts are introduced, but comfort, control and confidence with the ball remain the foundation.
At this stage, the emphasis is on developing a relationship with the ball—treating it as an extension of the player rather than an external object to control. While other skills will be introduced, this remains the primary focus during these crucial two years.
Base Stage
Players and trainers should focus on fundamental concepts from Base Stage, Soccer 1 to Soccer 2, introducing key mental and physical aspects of the game.
Mental Development
0.210 Attitude: Cultivate a positive approach to learning and the game.
0.220 Reaction Time: Improve quick decision-making in response to game situations.
Physical Development
0.310 Agility (Footwork): Enhance freedom of movement, agility, and quickness in small spaces under pressure.
0.320 Balance & Coordination (Core Strength): Develop the ability to change direction rapidly with good coordination, with and without the ball.
Soccer 1 Training: Developing Basic Skills
✅ Passing: Using the inside and outside of both feet.
✅ Receiving/Trapping: Controlling the ball with all parts of the body.
✅ Dribbling: Moving the ball smoothly into forward space under pressure.
✅ Striking: Shooting with both feet using laces.
✅ Individual Defense:
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Positioning the body between the opponent and the ball.
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Aligning the body properly with the goal and the ball.
Soccer 2 Training: Soccer Awareness & Ball Control
2.100 Soccer Elements Introduction
2.200 Soccer Awareness
2.210 Self-Awareness: Understanding personal strengths and areas for improvement.
2.220 Measuring: Recognizing performance indicators and growth.
2.300 Soccer 2 Attacking Concepts
2.310 Attacking Simplicity: Keeping attacking plays simple and effective.
2.400 Ball Control & Tactical Play
- Understanding basic attacking and defensive concepts, including 1v1 situations.
2.410 Basic Scoring Ideas: Executing 1v1 attacking plays.
2.420 2v1 Attacking: Recognizing 2v1 and 2v2 attacking concepts, support movement, and combination play.
2.430 Basic Dribbling: Learning direct, indirect, passive, and escaping dribbling techniques.
2.440 Basic Defending: Developing individual defensive pressure.
Small-Sided Games for Skill Development
- 4v4 Games: Encouraging technical skill application in a game-like setting.
Mental Considerations
- Players need support from coaches and parents.
- Players start seeking independent playing experiences.
- Social interactions increase, and peer influence grows.
- Team identity becomes more significant.
- Players begin understanding positional play and tactical awareness.
Minor Considerations
- Positional play, set plays, heading, and shooting with different foot surfaces.
Age Level Considerations
- Increased Attention Span: Players can sequence thoughts and actions.
- Developing Tactical Awareness: Beginning to think ahead in plays.
- Increased Self-Responsibility: Bringing their own gear and managing their readiness.
- Recognizing Peer Pressure: Awareness of team dynamics and personal expectations.
- Stronger Team Identity: Players connect more with their team and coach.
- Rule-Oriented Behavior: Be mindful of how many rules are imposed, as young players are extremely rule-bound.
Training Activities: Fun & Challenging
Understanding that players mature at different rates, coaches must tailor training to their team's developmental needs. Some players will grasp complex skills faster than others. However, mastering the basics is crucial for long-term success.
By providing a strong foundation in fundamentals, we ensure players move to the next level with confidence and enthusiasm.
Turn the U9–U10 Curriculum Into Training
The curriculum explains what players should develop. These Soccer Universe products give them structured ways to learn and practise it.
Soccer Class 1 — Air
20 structured lessons that begin converting soccer knowledge into a repeatable learning system.
Start the 20 Lessons →
Aerobic Soccer Training
Use repeatable individual training methods to improve ball familiarity, movement and control.
Train With the Ball →1 v 1
Soccer 1v1 Training
Apply ball control, attacking simplicity and individual defending against a live opponent.
Develop 1v1 Ability →Keep Building Through Soccer Universe
Learning, individual training, competitive testing and progress tracking work together as the player develops.
Explore Soccer Universe →dSTS Development Focus
This curriculum sits inside the de Gregory Soccer Training Spectrum. The highlighted emphasis changes as the player develops, but every stage remains connected to the same performance objective: create or stop goals through effective individual and group play.
Build reliable individual technique so the player can control the ball while managing movement, pressure and changing game pictures.
Player Teaching
Teach the player what to recognize, what action to choose and how the current stage connects to the next level of performance.
See the dSTS reference →
Player Certification
Use defined learning and performance evidence to show what the player has understood, trained and demonstrated.
Winning Patterns — Coaching Course
Coaches learn to turn dSTS development into teachable individual and group patterns that lead toward scoring goals or preventing goals.
Understand the coaching framework →