defensive transition U20 soccer drills

defensive transition U20 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the defensive transition aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels

Taken from a session with AS Roma, this drill allows you to work on the numerical advantage in a small area dynamically with 3v2 duels.

Animation: Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels
Mark out an area of 40x30m (approximately twice the size of the penalty area) and then place a second goal on the opposite side. Form 2 teams of 9 players and ask the players to position themselves around the goals (see animation).

The exercise starts with a 3v2 duel (here 3 reds against 2 blues). If the team with the numerical advantage scores (here the reds), they stay on the field and attack the opposite goal. Then 2 new blue players come in to defend.

If the team with the numerical disadvantage recovers the ball (here the blues), an additional blue player enters the field along with 2 red defenders to form a new 3v2 duel.

The objective of the exercise is to work on exploiting a numerical advantage to finish on a large goal. From a defensive point of view, you can focus your instructions on the importance of coordinating the press between the 2 players.

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Defensive transition

Discover our defensive transition U20 drills

9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones

9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones

12 min
18-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
9v9 game in zones to work on midfield pressing, central density, and the ability to play vertically under pressure....
Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5

Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U16
Used during a training session at Manchester City, this high-intensity drill is ideal for working on the attacking-defensive transition and managing numerical advantage. All of this in a spirit of healthy competition....
Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play

Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play

15 min
11-15 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - Seniors
Exercise focused on goalkeeper work and how players move when their goalkeeper has the ball in hand. The goalkeeper's decision-making is essential to determine whether it is preferable to play short or direct....
Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports

Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports

20 min
18-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U18
Used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, this drill will help you work on the attacking-defensive transition in the upper part of the field....
Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2

Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2

15 min
10-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
Used by Mikel Arteta during a training session at Arsenal, this drill will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with a 4v2 followed by a 6v4....
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Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players

Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players

20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Used by Xavi at FC Barcelona, this drill will help your players work on using width and how to effectively take advantage of a numerical advantage....
Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6

Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - U17
Exercise used by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, this 6v6 will allow your players to work on attacking and defensive transitions as well as game awareness. Decision-making and quick attacks will be the focus....
Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6

Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6

20 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
Excellent exercise proposed by Luis Enrique during his time at AS Roma, with this 6v6 small-sided game on 3 mini goals, which allows for addressing different themes such as the use of width or playing between the lines....
Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels

Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - U19
This two-step drill is inspired by an exercise implemented by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. It's ideal for working on attacking and defensive transitions in the defensive third of the field....
Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier

Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier

20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U20
Used by Luis Enrique during a training session at FC Barcelona in 2015, this drill, which places your players in a situation across 3 zones, will allow you to work on finding the free player and playing between the lines....
Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game

Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game

20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U18
Inspired by a Jurgen Klopp exercise, this 6v6 small-sided game (with 6 neutral players) is ideal for working on transitions, particularly the attacking-defensive transition....
Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)

Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U20
Great exercise in 9v5 to train your players on build-up play under pressure and reaction time to losing possession, while studying the attacking-defensive transition phase....
Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels

Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels

18 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - U17
Taken from a session with AS Roma, this drill allows you to work on the numerical advantage in a small area dynamically with 3v2 duels....
Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)

Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)

25 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U17
Taken from a training session of Bayern Munich (2013/2014), this exercise focuses on working on the defensive-attacking transition in the defensive third with the support of players....
Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

15 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - Seniors
In this 3v2 (and 3v3 with pressing), your players will be able to work on coordinated press as well as transition play when losing the ball. Used by Mauricio Pochettino during his time at Tottenham....
Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5

Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5

20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U20
Inspired by a session from José Mourinho at Real Madrid, this exercise focuses on working on the attacking-defensive transitions in the high area of the field. The intensity you demand from your players upon losing the ball will be key during this drill....
Finishing sequence followed by 2v2 opposition

Finishing sequence followed by 2v2 opposition

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - U16
Highly appreciated by players, this shooting exercise followed by an attacking-defensive transition and a 2v2 duel is ideal for working on various offensive combinations. Numerous variations are possible....
Small group possession in 4 zones

Small group possession in 4 zones

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U18
4v2 possession exercise with switch of play and attacking-defensive transition that will require a lot of focus and intensity....
1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U18
1v1 duels from different perspectives: first a 1v1, then a defensive transition to quickly move into a 2v1 on the large goal....
Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone

Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone

20 min
12-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Possession drill that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with the possibility of implementing multiple variations....
Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals

Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals

15 min
6-24 joueurs
Technical
U17 - Seniors
A small, dynamic drill that will allow your players to work on sequences in tight spaces and under pressure. Many variations are possible!...
Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U16
A relatively simple possession drill to set up, but with certain constraints that will allow your players to work on transition play and counter-pressing, initiated by Ralf Rangnick....
7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes

7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes

15 min
17-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - U16
Used by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in February 2019, this possession game is ideal for working on the positioning and movement of your players....
Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones

Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones

30 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U19
Still based on Positional Play, this exercise allows you to work with your players on quick recovery (gegenpressing) as well as switching play under pressure. A perfect mix!...
Aerial duel, second ball, and dynamic play in 5v3

Aerial duel, second ball, and dynamic play in 5v3

15 min
14-22 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U19
Game-based drill that will allow your players to work on recovering the second ball following an aerial duel, while keeping in mind the importance of the attacking-defensive transition....
4v4 game with line touch after each goal

4v4 game with line touch after each goal

15 min
12-22 joueurs
Conditioning
U20 - U18
Two teams play on a small field and try to score with one condition: every time a team loses possession, they must sprint, touch their goal line, and then come back to defend. Quite intense!...
Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid

Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid

20 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U19
The principle is simple: possession in the small central square, then opening up to the large square. In this drill, players learn to quickly transition from defense to attack and from attack to defense. Gegenpressing, or counter-pressing, is an important training objective....
Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking

Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking

20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U20
In a 7v7 on a half-field, you work with your defenders and central midfielders on collective zonal defensive positioning and the quick reformation of the defensive block....
Technical work in 2v2, cross and shooting

Technical work in 2v2, cross and shooting

25 min
15-17 joueurs
Technical
Seniors - U18
Through a 2v2 drill ending with a shot, your players work on ball retention and recovery as well as shooting in front of the goal....
Possession and Recovery in 2v2

Possession and Recovery in 2v2

15 min
16-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U19 - Seniors
Starting from a 2v2, this warm-up exercise focuses on ball recovery and possession....
Attacking transition and game awareness

Attacking transition and game awareness

15 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - Seniors
By alternating pressing and recovery with ball retention and circulation, your players work on attacking transitions and their game awareness....
Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team

Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team

20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - Seniors
Ideal for learning to counterattack quickly and advance as a team. The defensive aspect is also present in this exercise, perfect for working your defenders!...

Other sub-theme U20 soccer drills

U20 Agility soccer drills

  1. The 4 Colors of Unai Emery: Quickness and Reaction Time
  2. Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
  3. 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
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U20 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
  2. Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
  3. Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
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U20 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. Marcelo Bielsa: working on build-up play against a high press
  2. Positional attack and movements between the lines
  3. Pep Guardiola's Transition Work in a 5v5 Across 3 Zones
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U20 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
  2. Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
  3. Athletic and conditioning circuit in 4 sets
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U20 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. Possession play and progressive switches of play
  2. Specific Forwards: Shooting Around the Edge of the Box
  3. Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1
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U20 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Attacking transition and game awareness
  2. Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
  3. Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6
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U20 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
  2. Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
  3. Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
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U20 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Possession game in 2 zones with role change
  2. Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
  3. Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches
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U20 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
  2. Layoff in one-touch play and timing of the final pass in the Spanish national team
  3. Warm-up with Bayern Munich Relay
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U20 Duels soccer drills

  1. 11v11 opposition with 2v1 scenarios on the wide areas
  2. Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
  3. Working on Heading
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U20 Endurance soccer drills

  1. High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
  2. High-Intensity Pair Running Repetitions
  3. Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
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U20 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Pep Guardiola's technical circuit with shooting and speed drill
  2. Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
  3. Anaerobic with interval work in 10/20/30
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U20 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Agility and information gathering by color and by team
  2. Double 2v2 and Shooting on Full-Size Goal
  3. Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
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U20 Gaps soccer drills

  1. Positioning and movement to find space between the lines
  2. Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
  3. Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
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U20 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
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U20 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
  2. Build-up and transition in 5v3
  3. Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting
See all

U20 Overload soccer drills

  1. Defending with a Numerical Disadvantage
  2. Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
  3. 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
See all

U20 Passes soccer drills

  1. Layoff in one-touch play and timing of the final pass in the Spanish national team
  2. Passing game with one-touch shooting
  3. One-two pass and forward run in a passing square
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U20 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Passes between the lines with 2 final third zones in 5v5
  2. Shooting with diamond play from the German national team
  3. Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier
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U20 Possession soccer drills

  1. Possession play and high press in 2 zones
  2. Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
  3. Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
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U20 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones
  2. Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing
  3. High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals
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U20 Rondos soccer drills

  1. 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
  2. Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure
  3. Fast Play: Speed of Passing and Play
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U20 Scanning soccer drills

  1. 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
  2. Unai Emery's Technical Circuit: Warm-up and Game Awareness
  3. Possession game in 2 zones with role change
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U20 Shooting soccer drills

  1. Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting
  2. Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
  3. Forwards: Agility and precision of shots without control
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U20 Support soccer drills

  1. Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
  2. Transition from one zone to another with positional play in 5v5 (+ 2 central supports)
  3. 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
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U20 Transition soccer drills

  1. Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches
  2. Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels
  3. Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
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U20 Using width soccer drills

  1. Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play
  2. Marcelo Bielsa: Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 8v6
  3. Possession game in 2 zones with role change
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