build-up play U13 soccer drills

build-up play U13 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the build-up play aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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One-two pass drill against a diamond formation

One-two pass drill against a diamond formation

15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U12
Speed of execution, work on passing and movement are key to this drill, which will require several repetitions to achieve a good rhythm....
Switch of play using the central midfielder

Switch of play using the central midfielder

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Ideal passing circuit to work on switching play through the central midfielder, who will drop back to offer a solution to teammates....
4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders

4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U12
Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it will allow your players to work on playing with their back to the goal as well as build-up play in a 4v3 setup that is quite simple to implement....
Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1

Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1

12 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U15
Thanks to a high press and shooting in 2v1 situations, this drill is ideal for blocking the opponent's build-up play. Make sure to enforce the instructions well to get the most out of your players....
Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement

Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement

15 min
8-12 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U13
Long passing drill ideal for training your players to find the right passing angle, improve the accuracy of long balls, and work on attackers' movement off the ball....
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What is the U13 category?


The U13 category represents children aged 12 to 13 years, and it is at this time that soccer concepts and training intensity increase a notch. At this age, children face significant physical changes, requiring training adaptation to support their growth, muscle development, and coordination improvement. Sessions must therefore be designed to meet these needs while continuing to develop their technical and tactical skills.

Objectives of the U13 category


The objectives for U13 expand to include not only technical development and coordination but also the integration of more complex and technical exercises. The focus will be more on developing game awareness both individually and collectively, decision-making in match situations, and improving more specific qualities like passing, shooting, set pieces or even dribbling.

Some tips for coaching a U13 team


For U13 players, it is advisable to avoid overly physical training and to favor activities that promote agility, endurance, and mastery of fundamental soccer qualities. Sessions should be simple yet dynamic, allowing players to improve through exercises that stimulate both their psychomotor development and tactical understanding. The integration of recovery periods is also essential to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth.

To summarize, here are our tips regarding your U13 training sessions: 
  1. Avoid "physical" training as you are used to practicing. Favor exercises for agility, endurance, and flexibility to promote psychomotor development.
  2. Conduct simple exercises for your players. Simplicity is crucial as it allows for better learning. It is your animation that will give rhythm to your U13 workshops, not the complexity of your training sessions.
  3. Remember to integrate recovery periods.

What training exercises for U13?


Exercises for U13 should include games and workshops that emphasize individual technique while integrating more advanced tactical elements. Small group play exercises, shooting sessions, and sessions focused on developing team strategy should be prioritized for your training. 

Here are some additional ideas to help you:
  • Possession game: In small groups to improve game awareness and maintaining possession.
  • Shooting workshops: With various scenarios to work on shooting under pressure, from different angles, with both strong and weak foot…
  • Quick transition exercises: Attack-defense exercises, and vice versa to develop reactivity and team strategy.
  • Dribbling sessions: With technical challenges to improve agility and control in match situations.
  • Small-sided games with specific conditions: For example, limiting the number of touches to encourage quick play and decision-making. Also consider implementing different tactics to teach players the importance of positioning and understanding what works best for your U13 team.

Other sub-theme U13 soccer drills

U13 Agility soccer drills

  1. Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
  2. Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
  3. Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
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U13 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
  2. 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
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U13 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Passing game work with a square of 6 players
  2. Switch of play using the central midfielder
  3. Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
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U13 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run
  2. Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
  3. Diamond passing circuit with give and go variation
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U13 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
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U13 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
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U13 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Collective replacement and management of offensive and defensive space
  2. Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
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U13 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
  2. Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
  3. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
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U13 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
  2. Diamond passing circuit with give and go variation
  3. The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling
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U13 Duels soccer drills

  1. Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
  2. 1v1 Duel: Working on Footwork and Balance
  3. Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
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U13 Endurance soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
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U13 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. 1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
  2. Heading practice in double circle (warm-up with ball)
  3. Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
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U13 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. 3 ways to score in a reduced 3v3v3 game
  2. The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making
  3. Creating space through movement in 5v5
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U13 Gaps soccer drills

  1. Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
  2. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  3. Slalom, give-and-go and shooting
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U13 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
  2. Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot
  3. Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
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U13 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
  2. Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
  3. One-two pass combinations with 2 teams then shooting
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U13 Overload soccer drills

  1. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
  2. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
  3. Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
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U13 Passes soccer drills

  1. The hourglass: passing game and dribbling
  2. Passing and directional control work
  3. 3-Pass Drill with Forward Progression
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U13 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Dribble and immediate follow-up
  2. Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play
  3. Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
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U13 Possession soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
  2. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
  3. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
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U13 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
  2. Compact defense with a back three in a reduced central area
  3. Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
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U13 Rondos soccer drills

  1. Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
  2. Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
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U13 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
  2. Passing game work with a square of 6 players
  3. Double square with passing combinations
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U13 Shooting soccer drills

  1. 5v5 Shooting Game
  2. Give-and-go, dribble, and shooting from different angles
  3. 1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense
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U13 Support soccer drills

  1. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
  2. Possession game with support at the 4 corners
  3. 3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
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U13 Transition soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
  2. Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
  3. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
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U13 Using width soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
  2. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  3. Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals
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