build-up play U16 soccer drills

build-up play U16 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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Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates

This situational exercise is ideal for working on the build-up play phase. Used in Naples a few years ago, you can use it at the end of a session.

Animation: Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates
On a half-field, place a large goal at the midfield line, as well as 4 gates on each side of the field using 4 cones (see animation). Then form 2 teams of 9 players with 1 goalkeeper per team.

The opposition starts and the objective for each team is to score on the opposing goal. However, they must pass through a gate on each side of the field before they can finish their action. After passing through at least 2 gates, players can finish on the opposing goal.

Used by Rafael Benitez during a training session in Naples, the objective of this opposition is threefold:
  • Work on the build-up play
  • Work on attacking movements
  • Work on the accuracy of passes

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Build-up play

Discover our build-up play U16 drills

M. Bielsa: Build-up play on the strong side with a switch of play to draw a defender and release

M. Bielsa: Build-up play on the strong side with a switch of play to draw a defender and release

15 min
6-18 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - Seniors
Ball circulation sequence working on build-up play under pressure on the strong side, followed by a quick switch of play to the weak side to finish in a mini-goal, inspired by a session proposed by Marcelo Bielsa....
3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing

3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing

15 min
7-14 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Numerical advantage build-up situation (GK + 3 players) to beat the first line of press and find outlets towards mini-goals....
Shooting and using support during the build-up play

Shooting and using support during the build-up play

10 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U15
Very dynamic drill where the player must serve a winger on the run to initiate the counterattack....
Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6

Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - 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....
5v2 possession game with dribbling exit

5v2 possession game with dribbling exit

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U20
Maintain possession in a rondo under pressure, then break out with dribbling after 10 passes to score in a mini-goal....
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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.
8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones

8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
U14 - U15
Build-up play and connection between wide players and forwards in an 8v8 structured into five zones....
Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)

Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U14
Possession game where the objective is to connect one goalkeeper to the other by prioritizing the forward pass in a 4v4 with two goalkeepers in the side zones....
Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U14 - U17
Possession and organized pressing drill in two adjacent zones to work on transition and counter-pressing after losing the ball....
Breaking the lines with passing combinations in 3 drills

Breaking the lines with passing combinations in 3 drills

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U16
This drill used with youth teams at Manchester City is divided into 3 stations, allowing players to work on different passing combinations to develop automatic movements....
Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones

Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U15
This small-sided game, used by Vicente Del Bosque during a training session at Real Madrid, is ideal for working on smooth transitions in midfield and quickly getting into goal-scoring situations....
Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

20 min
18-22 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
Exercise inspired by a training session of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, it will allow your players to work on their positioning in a 4-3-3 formation, while allowing the opposing team to practice a high press....
Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa

Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U16
Very useful for managing a numerical advantage during a switch of play, this exercise used by Marcelo Bielsa should appeal to your players!...
Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates

Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates

20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
This situational exercise is ideal for working on the build-up play phase. Used in Naples a few years ago, you can use it at the end of a session....
Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2

Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2

12 min
6-14 joueurs
Tactical
U14 - U15
Excellent exercise for working on build-up play when your center backs are under pressure. It will also allow your players to work on their automatic movements when executing a switch of play during a restart....
Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)

Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)

20 min
18-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U16
8v4 possession game with 6 support players that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition, as well as pressing upon losing the ball....
Possession play and progressive switches of play

Possession play and progressive switches of play

20 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U20
This small-sided game with a numerical advantage and progression from zone to zone is ideal for youth teams and will help improve concentration while adding a competitive element....
Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement

Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement

15 min
8-12 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - 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....
Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

15 min
16-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U16
In an 8v8 setup with one team playing without a goalkeeper, your players practice counterattacking and pressing with a numerical advantage, as well as maintaining possession under opponent pressing....

Other sub-theme U16 soccer drills

U16 Agility soccer drills

  1. Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
  2. Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
  3. Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
See all

U16 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  2. Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
  3. Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
See all

U16 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
  2. Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
  3. Offensive Combinations and Shooting with 4 Players
See all

U16 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. Possession play and progressive switches of play
  2. Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
  3. Layoff in one-touch play during a passing sequence
See all

U16 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
  2. Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
  3. Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
See all

U16 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
  2. Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
  3. Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
See all

U16 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
  2. Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
  3. Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
See all

U16 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
  2. Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
  3. Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6
See all

U16 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
  2. Circuit in groups of 3 with duels and shooting work
  3. One-touch short passing drill in a diamond formation
See all

U16 Duels soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
  2. Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
  3. Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
See all

U16 Endurance soccer drills

  1. Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape
  2. Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
  3. Speed work: alternating jogging-sprint on a progressive run
See all

U16 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
  2. High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
  3. Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
See all

U16 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
  2. Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
  3. Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
See all

U16 Gaps soccer drills

  1. Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
  2. Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage
  3. Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
See all

U16 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
See all

U16 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
  2. Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
  3. Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates
See all

U16 Overload soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
  2. Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
  3. Possession play and switching against a low block
See all

U16 Passes soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations and Shooting with 4 Players
  2. Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
  3. Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
See all

U16 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Diamond play with passing combinations
  2. Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
  3. 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
See all

U16 Possession soccer drills

  1. 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
  2. Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
  3. 4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
See all

U16 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
  2. Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
  3. Possession game in 2 zones with role change
See all

U16 Rondos soccer drills

  1. Attacking transition: recovery and retention
  2. 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
  3. 4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
See all

U16 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
  2. Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
  3. Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
See all

U16 Shooting soccer drills

  1. Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
  2. Shot then defensive transition in 1v1
  3. Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
See all

U16 Support soccer drills

  1. 3v3 Wing Play with Support
  2. Shooting and using support during the build-up play
  3. Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
See all

U16 Transition soccer drills

  1. 6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
  2. Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
  3. Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
See all

U16 Using width soccer drills

  1. Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
  2. Defensive Block: Positioning in the Game and Tactical Principles
  3. Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
See all