attacking transition U16 soccer drills
attacking transition U16 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the attacking transition aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drills7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
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.
On a half-field, set up 4 gates as shown in the diagram and form 2 teams of 7 players, as well as 3 neutral players. Also, make sure to place balls all around the field to avoid wasting time in case of a ball out and maintain high intensity.
The game starts with a pass from the coach to the blue team. The blues must maintain possession with the help of the 3 neutral players while the 7 yellow players try to win it back. The goal for the blue team is to make a pass through one of the gates. However, they cannot pass through the same gate twice in a row.
When the yellows win the ball, it's their turn to perform a possession game to try to find a teammate through a gate.
Variation 1: you can require your players to make the pass through the gate with one touch. This will increase the intensity of the exercise and make the task slightly more difficult for your players.
Variation 2: you can also ask your players to dribble through the gates, specifying that only team players can score a point. The neutral players are only there for support.
Variation 2: passing through the gates
Discover our attacking transition U16 drills
Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U14
Exercise with 3 teams of 4 to work on managing danger in the final third, effectively closing down shooting and crossing angles, and defensive cohesion around the goalkeeper....
Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U17
Opposition scenario where the defensive team must delay the attack, protect the penalty area, and prevent shots and crosses before counterattacking towards mini-goals....
Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
12 min
14-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U17 - Seniors
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
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....
Using width in a double situation in 4v4
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
Tactical drill that allows your players to better use width with a focus on the transition phase between ball recovery and the counterattack....
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The U16 category includes players aged 15-16 years. At this age, you will need to focus your U16 training sessions around different themes, such as athletic development, technical skill, and tactical knowledge.
We advise you to concentrate on the basic aspects when preparing your U16 exercises: movement, control-pass, and game awareness. These will be the foundation for your players for many years to come. Make sure to keep your U16 training sessions engaging, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
We advise you to concentrate on the basic aspects when preparing your U16 exercises: movement, control-pass, and game awareness. These will be the foundation for your players for many years to come. Make sure to keep your U16 training sessions engaging, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U15
This drill, in the form of a small-sided 4v4 game with supporting players, will allow you to address concepts such as transition phases and focus upon losing possession....
Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U16
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....
Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
20 min
15-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U20
Used by J. Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, this drill is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition, emphasizing the speed of attacks when the opposing block is disorganized....
Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Used by José Mourinho, this exercise will allow you to set up game situations where the speed of the defensive-attacking transition is crucial, in order to take advantage of a numerical advantage....
Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6
20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U16
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....
6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
Exercise combining a 6v4 possession drill with transitions in various phases of attacking-defensive and defensive-attacking play. You can, of course, adjust the distances and the number of players based on the level of your group....
Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
25 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - 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....
Finishing sequence followed by 2v2 opposition
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
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....
Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
15 min
6-24 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U15
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
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
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
15 min
17-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U20
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....
Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U14
High-energy small-sided game with lots of changes in pace, this drill is perfect for working on attacking and defensive transitions and concentration. Your players will definitely love it!...
2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U14
Ideal drill to train your players on 2v2 and basic tactical principles (to draw a defender, support, and off-the-ball runs for attackers, and pressuring the ball carrier and defensive cover for defenders)....
Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
15 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U16
By having the defense work on zonal marking starting from a 6v6, your players improve on various tactical concepts: getting open, defensive cover, and balance to prevent the through ball....
Attacking transition: recovery and retention
20 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U16
Through this defensive-to-attacking transition drill, your players improve both ball retention/circulation and their game awareness (offensive). Ideal for progressing on pressing and recovery work....
Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U19
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....
Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U16
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 U16 soccer drills
U16 Agility soccer drills
- Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
- Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
- Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work
U16 Build-up play soccer drills
- Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
- Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
U16 Circuit soccer drills
- Unai Emery: small warm-up game in a triangle
- Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
- Passing circuit on 6 cones with shooting on a full-size goal
U16 Cognitive soccer drills
- Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
- Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
U16 Counterattack soccer drills
- Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
U16 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
- Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
- 6v3 Positional Play with Mini Goals
U16 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Defensive work in pairs in a small area
- Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
- Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
U16 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
- Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
U16 Dribbling soccer drills
- Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
- Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
- Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
U16 Duels soccer drills
- Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
- Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
- Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
U16 Endurance soccer drills
- Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training
- High-Intensity Pair Running Repetitions
- Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape
U16 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training
- High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
U16 Fun Game soccer drills
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
U16 Gaps soccer drills
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- Build-up play: finding space between the lines
U16 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting
- Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting
- Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
U16 Overload soccer drills
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
- 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
- Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
U16 Passes soccer drills
- Playing between the lines and following up the action
- Passing Technique Training
- Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
U16 Positional play soccer drills
- Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
- 3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)
- M. Bielsa: Build-up play on the strong side with a switch of play to draw a defender and release
U16 Possession soccer drills
- 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
- 4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
- 6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
U16 Pressing soccer drills
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
- Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
U16 Rondos soccer drills
- Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
- Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
U16 Scanning soccer drills
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
U16 Shooting soccer drills
- Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
- Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
- Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing
U16 Support soccer drills
- 3v3 Wing Play with Support
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play
- Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support