agility U17 soccer drills
agility U17 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the agility aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drills3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
This 3v3 small-sided game with 4 corner support players will help you work on combinations in tight spaces. Remember to regularly rotate the support players.
Using 4 cones, create a 20x20m area then form 2 teams of 3 players and one team of 4 players (see animation). Place one player from each team in the center of the field, then ask the others to spread out on each side. Next, place the 4 players from the last team at each corner of the playing area.
The exercise proceeds as follows:
- The 3-player teams must keep the ball as long as possible but only score a point when the central player touches the ball.
- The corner players serve as support for the team in the offensive position.
- The corner players as well as the support players are only allowed one touch of the ball.
A pass to the central player = 1 point.
Variation: to evolve the exercise, you can prohibit the side players from making a pass to a support. Only the central players can play on the support.
Remember to adjust the number of zones based on the number of players present at practice. If you have a group of 20 players, for example, you can create 2 zones and perform the exercise simultaneously in each zone.
Discover our agility U17 drills
High-Intensity Pair Running Repetitions
10 min
2-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U20 - Seniors
High-intensity repeated runs in pairs, with relay, around markers placed all around the field....
Passing Sequence with Directional Touches and Forward Play
10 min
5-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U15 - U14
Sequential drill aimed at receiving behind the mannequin, directing the first touch in the direction of play, and following up with a forward pass....
2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U19 - Seniors
Anaerobic speed work with multiple quick attacks in 2v2 from a wide area with the option to use a layoff before shooting....
Speed training: interval sprints on various courses
12 min
5-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U18
Straight-line speed run alternating short sprints, recovery walks, and progressive sequences from 10 to 40 meters....
Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing
15 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
Individual drill for a forward with a curved run, directional control, followed by a quick double shooting into two mini-goals....
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What does the U17 category in soccer consist of?
The U17 category includes players aged 16-17 and is often very important in the progression of your players. It's the age where most major clubs send their scouts to the sidelines to discover new talents who may have emerged later. The U17 category is a decisive turning point for young aspiring professional soccer players. At this stage, players already possess a solid technical foundation and enter a phase where tactical finesse, physical strength, and mental maturity become crucial to becoming a standout player. This age generally marks the starting point of a more professional soccer journey, or conversely, a more amateur one.
As a coach, many new challenges will arise when coaching a U17 team to maximize the personal development of each player while considering the locker room and collective results. The U17 training sessions must above all be dynamic. It's an age where you can start emphasizing the athletic aspect of your exercises while maintaining a good dose of technical and tactical drills. Here is a detailed sheet to help you prepare your U17 training sessions and better choose the exercises to offer.
Objectives with your U17 players
The main objective at this age is to prepare players for the challenges of senior soccer. This involves advanced technical refinement, a deep understanding of game tactics, and rigorous and more advanced physical preparation.
Simultaneously, psychological aspects, such as pressure management, resilience, and team spirit, become increasingly important.
Some tips for coaching a U17 team
To coach a U17 team, certain principles should be kept in mind as a soccer coach. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Strategic planning: sessions must be carefully planned with clear objectives, focused on specific skills to develop (set pieces, dribbles, build-up play from defense, counterattack, tactical positioning…).
- Intensity and specificity : at this age, training should be intense and focused on specific elements for each session, with exercises simulating real match situations.
- The importance of individual and collective development: it is crucial to find a balance between individual improvement and team cohesion.
- Psychological support: provide mental support to help players manage stress and stay motivated before, during, and after each match. Indeed, this age also marks the beginning of more official competitions at different levels (regional, national…).
Integrating recovery periods is also essential to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth.
What training exercises for U17s?
To best help you build your U17 training sessions, here are some relevant exercise ideas:
- Positional play exercises: Develop tactical understanding by setting up various game situations.
- Shooting drills: Focus on improving shooting skills in different situations, under pressure.
- Specific physical training: sessions dedicated to improving a specific element like strength, speed, and endurance.
- Tactical sessions: representation of real match conditions, testing new strategies and formations…
- Shooting exercises: varied drills to sharpen effectiveness in front of goal under different pressures and angles.
- Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating short passing game, direct play: this exercise primarily focuses on goalkeeper development, highlighting how players should position themselves and move when the goalkeeper has the ball.
- Match simulations: generally conducted at the end of the match to develop quick decision-making and tactical adaptability in match conditions.
- Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola: inspired by Manchester City training, this exercise is perfect for developing a precise offensive sequence, encouraging playing between the lines through a targeted passing sequence.
Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
10 min
4-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
Quick possession game in 3v1 where the reds must finish in a mini-goal before the central player touches the mannequin....
High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)
16 min
8-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U14 - U15
1v1 tournament in a promotion-relegation format with 4 fields featuring different rules to enhance intensity, creativity, and the repetition of duels....
Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
15 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U16
Highly dynamic finishing exercise aimed at working on quick combinations, movements in the box, and a variety of shots from different angles....
Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
12 min
5-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
Used during a training session at Bayern Munich, this agility drill with slalom around 4 cones alternating between the right and left sides is ideal for working on different footwork....
Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
12 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U10
In this highly dynamic exercise, your players will be able to work on passing in various forms, emphasizing the use of both feet....
Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
Ideal for working on ball control and dribbling under pressure, this circuit will allow your players to express their creativity while working on duels with a direct opponent....
J. Klopp: Shooting drills with a give and go around the penalty area
15 min
4-18 joueurs
Technical
U18 - U17
Used by Jurgen Klopp during a training session in 2021 at Liverpool, this highly intense drill allows for multiple shots around the edge of the penalty area, always in one-touch play....
Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
12 min
4-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U14
Inspired by the work done by American football players, this exercise is ideal for getting your players to work on their fitness and agility in a competitive manner....
Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
15 min
12-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U16 - U17
Perfect drill for a warm-up during a session with an athletic focus. Remember to gradually increase intensity and alternate players in support....
Agility and information gathering by color and by team
20 min
6-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U19 - U18
Used by Manchester United, this agility drill is ideal for combining cognitive work with athletic training, while incorporating ball play....
Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U15 - U14
Used by Unai Emery during a training session at Arsenal, this drill aims to work on speed, coordination, and overall mobility. Ideal as a warm-up!...
Circuit in groups of 3 with duels and shooting work
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
A highly dynamic drill that will allow your players to work on shooting with 1v1 duels on crosses. Ideal for U14-U15 but can be applied to different age groups (by adjusting the distances)....
The 4 Colors of Unai Emery: Quickness and Reaction Time
15 min
5-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U20 - U17
Used in 2018 by Unai Emery, this agility and coordination drill will help you work on reaction time while incorporating ball play. It's a rather fun exercise, you'll see!...
Pep Guardiola's technical circuit with shooting and speed drill
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U20 - U17
Used at Bayern Munich, this technical circuit consists of a sequence of passes, mini speed drills, and concludes with shooting on a full-size goal....
Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U19 - U17
This speed-agility drill with 1v1 duels and shooting on a full-size goal is ideal after a complete warm-up. You can add your personal touch to it....
Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
A small agility exercise that will engage your players' cognitive abilities while keeping a significant portion of the drill with the ball....
3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U18
This 3v3 small-sided game with 4 corner support players will help you work on combinations in tight spaces. Remember to regularly rotate the support players....
The warm-up with 3 stations by Carlo Ancelotti
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Warm-up
Seniors - U17
Used by Carlo Ancelotti at Paris Saint-Germain, this warm-up exercise is very simple to set up and allows for a variety of movements....
Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
20 min
8-18 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U16
Another exercise used by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich during a public training session, this circuit is ideal for working on agility: reaction time, concentration, and footwork. Your players will not be disappointed!...
Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
12 min
8-12 joueurs
Technical
U20 - U16
Drill conducted by Manchester City in 2016 during a pre-season training session, it perfectly combines numerous aspects such as athletic work, agility, shooting, and precision of passes....
Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
12 min
6-12 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U16
Ball control exercise with diagonal runs, ideal for working on the athletic aspect of pre-season while maintaining a technical component....
Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
12 min
4-8 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U16
This is a circuit that combines many aspects of a player's work such as athletic training, agility, and passing quality. Used in pre-season at Manchester City, it should help your players prepare well for the year....
Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
18 min
6-12 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U14
Exercise used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, it is ideal for working on different aspects: passing quality, off-the-ball runs to create space, and finally shooting....
Athletic work in groups of 3 with the ball
10 min
3-5 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U19
Conducted in small groups, this exercise allows players to work on endurance power while combining a passing game with the ball. Ideal for avoiding repetitive athletic drills!...
Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Conditioning
Seniors - U18
An ideal circuit for pre-season. Among the benefits of this routine: improves joint stability, aerobic endurance, and explosiveness!...
Other sub-theme U17 soccer drills
U17 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Transition and switch of play with support and neutral players (variation)
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
U17 Build-up play soccer drills
- 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
- Breaking the lines with passing combinations in 3 drills
- Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit
U17 Circuit soccer drills
- Forward passing circuit with one-touch layoff
- Offensive "Y" Combination with Support Play and Shooting
- Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
U17 Cognitive soccer drills
- First touch and shooting within the box
- Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
- Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1
U17 Counterattack soccer drills
- Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone
- Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
- J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions
U17 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
- 3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones
- 9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones
U17 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp
- Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
- Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
U17 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Small group possession in 4 zones
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
- "Positional play" in 4v4 + 3 neutral players
U17 Dribbling soccer drills
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Fast ball dribbling athletic drill
U17 Duels soccer drills
- Decision Making and Shooting in 2v1 (+1) with Defensive Recovery
- 1v1 Duels with Mini Goals Following a Passing Sequence
- Warm-up: Passing drills and 1v1 training
U17 Endurance soccer drills
- High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)
- Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training
- 4v4 game with line touch after each goal
U17 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
- Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations
- Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
U17 Fun Game soccer drills
- Agility and information gathering by color and by team
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- Shooting practice on 3 consecutive phases of play
U17 Gaps soccer drills
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
- 4v4 game with 1 neutral player and shooting with a stop-ball
U17 Motor skills soccer drills
- Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
U17 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Circuit with offensive combinations in groups of 4
- Shooting drills with attacking combinations and support player
- Offensive Combinations and Shooting with 4 Players
U17 Overload soccer drills
- Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa
- Defending with a Numerical Disadvantage
- Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
U17 Passes soccer drills
- Passes between the lines with 2 final third zones in 5v5
- José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
- 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
U17 Positional play soccer drills
- Possession game with 3 teams and river
- Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
- 8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones
U17 Possession soccer drills
- Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches
- Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
U17 Pressing soccer drills
- Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
- Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
- High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals
U17 Rondos soccer drills
- 5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
- Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
U17 Scanning soccer drills
- Positioning and movement to find space between the lines
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
- Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches
U17 Shooting soccer drills
- One-touch offensive combinations with shooting
- Switch of play and shooting with a series of 1v1 duels
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
U17 Support soccer drills
- Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
- Short passing game and direct play with support
- Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third