Contrary to the league season, it was conducted in a fall-spring rhythm.
4 First League clubs that were at the top of league table at the moment of the drawings (Gomel, Volna Pinsk, Granit Mikashevichi and DSK Gomel) and all 12 Premier League teams received a bye to the next round.
The game involving BATE Borisov was rescheduled to July 7 due to team's participation in UEFA Champions League.
Unlike few previous seasons, this round was played as a single-legged ties.
The games were played on 22 September, 27 October and 27 November 2010.