counter-pressing U16 soccer drills
counter-pressing U16 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the counter-pressing aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
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3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
15 min
7-14 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U16
Numerical advantage build-up situation (GK + 3 players) to beat the first line of press and find outlets towards mini-goals....
6v3 Positional Play with Mini Goals
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Positional play where 6 players maintain possession against 3 pressing, with objectives of passing and quick transitions to mini-goals....
Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
U19 - U18
Opposition scenario where the defensive team must delay the attack, protect the penalty area, and prevent shots and crosses before counterattacking towards mini-goals....
Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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....
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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.
Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U16
Working on ball possession under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coordinated pressing....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
12 min
14-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U13
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
Possession and organized pressing drill in two adjacent zones to work on transition and counter-pressing after losing the ball....
4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
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....
Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
20 min
18-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U15
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....
Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U18
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....
Other sub-theme U16 soccer drills
U16 Agility soccer drills
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Passing Sequence with Directional Touches and Forward Play
U16 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
- Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
U16 Build-up play soccer drills
- Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
- Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
- Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
U16 Circuit soccer drills
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
- Passing drills with one-touch play and supporting player
- Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work
U16 Cognitive soccer drills
- Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6
- Restricted zone: Using the wide areas in 5v5
- Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
U16 Counterattack soccer drills
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6
U16 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
- Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
U16 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
- Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
- 1v1 Duels with a double following a sequence of passes
U16 Dribbling soccer drills
- Circuit in groups of 3 with duels and shooting work
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
- Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
U16 Duels soccer drills
- Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
- 1v1 Duels with Mini Goals Following a Passing Sequence
- Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
U16 Endurance soccer drills
- 4v4 with active recovery and transitions – attacking the width in small-sided play
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
U16 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Speed training: long and repeated sprints over 3 distances
- Speed work: alternating jogging-sprint on a progressive run
- Aerobic Power Circuit (15–15–30) in Skill-Based Groups
U16 Fun Game soccer drills
- Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
- Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
U16 Gaps soccer drills
- 3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)
- Possession play and progressive switches of play
- Build-up play: finding space between the lines
U16 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
- Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
- Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting
U16 Overload soccer drills
- Forward play with possession in 6v3
- Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
- Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
U16 Passes soccer drills
- Passing combination: one-two pass, back pass, and shooting
- Unai Emery: small warm-up game in a triangle
- Passing Sequence with Directional Touches and Forward Play
U16 Positional play soccer drills
- 8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones
- Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
U16 Possession soccer drills
- Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
- 3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)
- 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
U16 Pressing soccer drills
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
- Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8
- Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
U16 Rondos soccer drills
- Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
- Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
- 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
U16 Scanning soccer drills
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- First touch and shooting within the box
U16 Shooting soccer drills
- Passing circuit on 6 cones with shooting on a full-size goal
- Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
- Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
U16 Support soccer drills
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Short passing game and direct play with support
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play