counterattack U13 soccer drills
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Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Ball possession and transition work in a balanced rondo, where each team seeks to exploit the temporary overload during the possession phase....
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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:
To summarize, here are our tips regarding your U13 training sessions:
- Avoid "physical" training as you are used to practicing. Favor exercises for agility, endurance, and flexibility to promote psychomotor development.
- 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.
- 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
- One-two pass drill against a diamond formation
- Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
- Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
U13 Attacking transition soccer drills
- 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
- 2v1 Rondo in two zones
- Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
U13 Build-up play soccer drills
- Switch of play using the central midfielder
- One-two pass drill against a diamond formation
- 4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders
U13 Circuit soccer drills
- Switch of play using the central midfielder
- Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go
- Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
U13 Cognitive soccer drills
- Possession game with support at the 4 corners
- Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
- Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
U13 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
- Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
- Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
U13 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
- Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
- 1v1 Duels and Defensive Positioning
U13 Defensive transition soccer drills
- 2v1 Rondo in two zones
- Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
- 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)
U13 Dribbling soccer drills
- The hourglass: passing game and dribbling
- Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates
- The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making
U13 Duels soccer drills
- Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 2)
- 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
- Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
U13 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Dynamic Warm-up with Passing, Slalom, and Dribbling
- 1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
- 1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense
U13 Fun Game soccer drills
- Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
- The hourglass: passing game and dribbling
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
U13 Gaps soccer drills
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
U13 Motor skills soccer drills
- 1v1 and agility: support and change of direction
- Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
- Motor skills and ball control to improve footwork and balance
U13 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
- One-two pass combinations with 2 teams then shooting
- Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
U13 Overload soccer drills
- 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
- Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
- Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage
U13 Passes soccer drills
- 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
- Passing sequence with double one-two pass in a group of 3
- Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
U13 Positional play soccer drills
- 5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
- Free Play: Positioning and Space Occupation
- Combining offensively using a pivot in 5v5
U13 Possession soccer drills
- 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
- Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
- 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
U13 Pressing soccer drills
- Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
- Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
- Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
U13 Rondos soccer drills
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
- Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
U13 Scanning soccer drills
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering
- Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
U13 Shooting soccer drills
- Positioning in a "Y", creating space, and shooting
- Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
- 4v4 and off-the-ball runs into space
U13 Support soccer drills
- Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas
- Possession game with support at the 4 corners
- 3v3 (+4) with support players and position change