9v7 to the End Zones
Nine attackers in a 1-3-2-3 work the ball past seven defenders and score by dribbling or passing into the end zone — keeper included, start to finish.
Changing the point of attack is how a team keeps building in the opponent's half — and how that buildup turns into chances and goals.
Starting at Core — your team is set to mixed.
Up to 30 min · 9 Blue (keeper included) + 7 Red (built for 16)
- Ages 9–11
- 9 Blue (keeper included) + 7 Red (built for 16)
- Up to 30 min
- Cones, pinnies in two colors, balls
Grab Cones, pinnies in two colors, and a supply of balls.
Build Between the centerline and the penalty box, mark out a 26-by-55-yard field with end zones.
Place Blue's nine in a 1-3-2-3 with the ball at their keeper's feet — the keeper launches every attack. Red's seven opposite.
A 26-by-55-yard field between the centerline and the penalty box, the end zones marked, Blue's 1-3-2-3 with the keeper on the ball, and where Red's seven start.
- 1
Organize the players
Mark the field with its end zones, split nine Blue and seven Red into two colors, and set Blue's 1-3-2-3 with the keeper holding the first ball.
“Blues, one-three-two-three — your keeper starts every attack. Reds, win it and dribble into the end zone.”
- 2
Show the jobs
Walk one rep — the keeper launches, Blue builds through the 1-3-2-3, and a dribble or completed pass into the end zone scores. The keeper stays in the attack for back passes and switches of play the whole way.
“Switch, use space, be open. Take opponents on.”
- 3
Play
Run it with two breaks, the source's own way — at the first break, ask the guided question and let them keep playing to discover the answer; at the second, they share answers with you and each other.
“Where on the field do you have the best chance of breaking through to the end zone? Keep playing — show me.”
Look for The ball switched to the far wing — and the new attacker dribbling forward immediately into the space it opens.
- 4
Switch and repeat
Send every restart back through Blue's keeper — the launch is part of the game. Switch variants when the level is wrong — that is the design, not a failure.
“Back to your keeper. Launch it again.”
Too hard? Switch to 9v6 on one goal with a goalkeeper — Red defends in the center zone, and if Blue breaks through, attackers and defenders all follow. Too easy? Go 8v8 — Blue builds from the end zone, and Red can only defend in the center zone. Spend the thirty minutes either way.
Go deeper · 3 notes
Why it works
The guided answers are our Shift the Axis goal in the governing body's own words — the best chance of breaking through is on the wings, and you set yourselves up to score by switching the point of attack. The rest of the answer is the follow-through in kids' language: dribble forward immediately, use our extra players, don't be afraid of 1v1s, and use forward runs to create passing options behind the defense.
What they learn
Switching the point of attack, spreading out, and creating passing options in the opponent's half.
What's next
2v1 Plus One up the Middle — the chances this buildup creates, taken all the way to goal.
Where does this come from?
US Soccer — Play/Practice/Play session plans for 9v9, U11–U12.
A governing body published this — the same organization that writes the rules your league plays by.