cognitive U11 soccer drills
cognitive U11 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the cognitive aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsCreating space through movement in 5v5
This exercise will help your players position themselves well in space to offer support to the ball carrier. Many variations are possible with additional cognitive aspects.
Mark out an area of about 30x35m and then place 9 small squares of 2 different colors within the area (see diagram for more details). Then form 2 teams of 5 players. If you have more than 10 players at practice, you can enlarge the area or create a second area for the additional players.
The exercise will proceed as follows:
- The team in possession of the ball must keep the ball as long as possible while scoring points by making a pass into a square of the color of their team.
- The defending team must win back the ball by pressing the opposing team and minimizing passing angles.
- Once the ball is recovered, the roles reverse.
- It is important for players to position themselves well in space to constantly offer options to the ball carrier, while keeping an eye on the finishing squares.
Here are some variations you can implement during this exercise:
- Reverse the colors: the blues score in the yellow squares, and vice versa. This will add an additional cognitive aspect to this exercise.
- A point is scored when a player crosses a square.
- The central square earns double points.
Categories
U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15Sub-themes
CognitiveDiscover our cognitive U11 drills
Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run
12 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U11
Rhythmic drill combining juggling, enforced sprinting, and a race to shooting in a duel with a competitive spirit....
4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
10 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
4v4+1 possession exercise where the team in possession must connect their corner players by making a minimum number of passes in the central area....
3 ways to score in a reduced 3v3v3 game
12 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
Small-sided game with three teams where each group has a specific way to score, requiring quick decision-making and constant adaptation....
Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U11
Duel between two teams where one creates a sequence of dribbles through colored gates that the other must replicate without error to score points....
Possession game with support at the 4 corners
15 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
Ball retention exercise with a numerical advantage, seeking support in the corners to validate passing sequences....
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Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
12 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U11
In this highly dynamic exercise, your players will be able to work on passing in various forms, emphasizing the use of both feet....
Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game
12 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U11
Very useful in soccer school, this drill is ideal for working on dribbling and changes of direction while adding a fun aspect....
Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
Perfect warm-up exercise to work on information gathering before, during, and after the pass. It will require your players to be attentive to their surroundings while emphasizing the technical aspect of passing....
Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares
12 min
9-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it allows for concentration and cognitive development while promoting ball use and movement in space....
Agility and game awareness: The cone drill in youth academy
10 min
4-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U11
Fun game to offer in soccer school, it will help your players work on important elements such as agility and information gathering....
Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School
15 min
8-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
Fun exercise to offer in a youth academy that combines cognitive work (listening, information gathering) with technical work (dribbling and agility). It is very popular with young players!...
Creating space through movement in 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
This exercise will help your players position themselves well in space to offer support to the ball carrier. Many variations are possible with additional cognitive aspects....
Mobility and agility training with the "Around the World" drill
12 min
6-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U11
With a circle made up of a few cones, you will enable your players to work on their focus, mobility, and quickness. This drill is ideal for youth soccer training....
Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
12 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U11
Often overlooked in youth soccer, cognitive training is nevertheless essential. This drill will allow your players to work on information processing with a color-based game while being constantly in contact with the ball....
Hunter game with perception and coordination work (youth academy)
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U11
Ideal hunter exercise in soccer school, using visual cues to enhance cognitive perception among young players. A very fun drill that players generally enjoy....
Diamond passing circuit with give and go variation
18 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U11
Passing sequence in a diamond shape with off-the-ball run and dribbling, this drill will allow your players to primarily work on their passing quality and movements before and after receiving the ball. Numerous variations are possible....
1v1 Distance Duels on Mini Goals
15 min
6-14 joueurs
Technical
U11
Ideal drill in soccer school to work on speed, decision-making, and listening. Combine this with ball control and shooting practice, and you have a complete and fun drill for your players....
Ball control and triangle play in youth academy
12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
Fun dribbling drill ideal for soccer school with triangular zones and defenders who will do everything to touch the attackers....
Warm-up with the ball: sequence of passes in groups of 3 with opening
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
A very simple drill to set up that allows you to work on a passing sequence while being attentive to the movements around you....
Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates
12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
Drill in the form of a predetermined passing sequence and dribbling with various possible variations. Perfect for youth soccer or as a warm-up....
4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
20 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
A very dynamic game that involves various cognitive aspects, it is ideal for working in a fun way through a possession exercise followed by progression with shooting on mini-goals....
Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
A very fun game that combines problem-solving, decision-making, and attacking-defensive transitions. Highly appreciated by players and ideal for soccer schools!...
5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
This 5v5 small-sided game with 4 neutral players will allow your players to progressively take control of the field by "unlocking" the neutral players one by one....
Warm-up: team ball possession
20 min
10-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U11
Ideal warm-up drill to practice team ball retention, focusing on movement and passing accuracy....
The double circle: working on spaces (attack/defense)
12 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U11
Ideal exercise to train your players to reduce spaces to prevent the through ball (defensively) and create spaces to facilitate ball movement (offensively)....
Other sub-theme U11 soccer drills
U11 Agility soccer drills
- Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload
- Agility and game awareness: The cone drill in youth academy
- Small-sided games in 2v2 with goalkeeper in promotion relegation format
U11 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
- 2v1 Rondo in two zones
- Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
U11 Circuit soccer drills
- Switch of play using the central midfielder
- Positioning in a "Y", creating space, and shooting
- Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
U11 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
- 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
- 2v1 Rondo in two zones
U11 Dribbling soccer drills
- 4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
- Ball control and triangle play in youth academy
- Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
U11 Dribbling soccer drills
- Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel
- Fun Warm-up: Dribbling and Ball Control in Tight Spaces
- Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game
U11 Duels soccer drills
- 1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense
- Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 1)
- Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3
U11 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Collecting Cones: Feints and agility in youth academy
- Heading practice in double circle (warm-up with ball)
- 1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
U11 Fun Game soccer drills
- Creating space through movement in 5v5
- The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling
- Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game
U11 Gaps soccer drills
- Creating space through movement in 5v5
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
- Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
U11 Motor skills soccer drills
- Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
- Receiving on the half-turn and dribbling with the "escape from jail" drill
- Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot
U11 Overload soccer drills
- Defensive recovery activity in 2v2
- Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload
- Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
U11 Passes soccer drills
- Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
- Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play
- Precision and speed of ball movement (1)
U11 Positional play soccer drills
- Collective ball retention through the short passing game
- Free Play: Positioning and Space Occupation
- Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
U11 Possession soccer drills
- 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
- Possession game with support at the 4 corners
- Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
U11 Pressing soccer drills
- 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
- Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
- Possession game with support at the 4 corners
U11 Rondos soccer drills
- Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
- Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
- Occupying space with a 2v1 rondo in 3 zones
U11 Scanning soccer drills
- Passing game work in a square with a central pivot
- Head, Shoulder, Knee, and Ball in Soccer School
- Tiki Taka: passing game with 2 central players
U11 Shooting soccer drills
- 1v1 Duel with Chasing Defender
- 1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support
- Pass into the run and shooting work
U11 Support soccer drills
- Possession game with support at the 4 corners
- 1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
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