defensive recovery / tracking back U16 soccer drills
defensive recovery / tracking back U16 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the defensive recovery / tracking back aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsOffensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
In this comprehensive drill, you will enable your players to work on several phases of play during a numerical advantage in 2v1 and then in 3v2. Many variations are possible.
Mark out an area equal to 2 times the penalty area, then place 2 mini-goals on the opposite width to the large goal. Then form 2 teams (offensive players vs defensive players) and position yourself at the midfield line with the ball source, as indicated in the animation.
The exercise will proceed as follows:
- You will play to one of the 2 offensive players who will enter the field in pairs.
- As soon as he/she controls the ball, a defender will enter the playing area.
- This leads to a 2vs1 where the objective of the team with the numerical advantage is to score on the large goal, while the defender must recover the ball to finish on one of the 2 mini-goals.
1st progression: place a cone between the 2 mini-goals to serve as a 3rd starting point for the offensive players. The players then play 3vs2 still in the same area, and the rules remain the same.
2nd progression: add a time limit (5 seconds) after which a 3rd defender enters the game to form a 3vs3 numerical equality. This will force your offensive players to quickly take advantage of the numerical advantage.
Entry of a 3rd defender after 5 seconds
3rd progression: in this evolution, you will ask a defender to enter the area as soon as his teammates recover the ball, to achieve a 3vs3. This will require the offensive players to work on their attacking-defensive transition.
Entry of a 3rd player upon recovery
The objectives of this exercise are multiple:
- Effectively exploit spaces during a numerical advantage.
- Work on the attacking-defensive transition
Discover our defensive recovery / tracking back U16 drills
Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
15 min
4-24 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U14
Defensive duel to recover the ball before immediately launching a winger in a counterattack....
Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
15 min
8-14 joueurs
Tactical
U14 - U17
3v3 midfield build-up exercise with the requirement to find a target forward in the final third before being able to finish....
Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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
U14 - 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 - U16
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
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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.
Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
20 min
15-20 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - U17
Used by J. Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, this drill is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition, emphasizing the speed of attacks when the opposing block is disorganized....
Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U16
Used by José Mourinho, this exercise will allow you to set up game situations where the speed of the defensive-attacking transition is crucial, in order to take advantage of a numerical advantage....
Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones
15 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - U15
This drill will help improve your players' speed in exploiting a numerical advantage during a counterattack. Highly appreciated by players!...
Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U16
Very dynamic exercise to implement in training, which will allow your players to work on different situations in 3v2 then 3v3 with a defensive recovery by the 3rd player. Game awareness and quick decision-making will be the focus of this exercise....
Decision Making and Shooting in 2v1 (+1) with Defensive Recovery
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U15
Simple exercise to set up, but it allows you to work on many aspects, from decision-making to shooting, including the trajectory of runs....
2v1 with shooting and defender tracking back
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
Thanks to this 2v1 exercise with various progressions, you will be able to train your defenders with their backs to the goal, progressing to a 2v2 with a defender tracking back....
Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
20 min
8-18 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
In this comprehensive drill, you will enable your players to work on several phases of play during a numerical advantage in 2v1 and then in 3v2. Many variations are possible....
Defensive work in pairs in a small area
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
This drill in the form of a 2v2 with support is ideal for working on two-player defense and positioning in tight spaces....
Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
14 min
9-18 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U17
Excellent technical drill for defenders to work on speed of movement, agility, and coordination. Conducted by Bayern Munich during a training session in 2013....
Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
15 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U15
By having the defense work on zonal marking starting from a 6v6, your players improve on various tactical concepts: getting open, defensive cover, and balance to prevent the through ball....
Defensive Block: Positioning in the Game and Tactical Principles
20 min
13-18 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - U16
In a 4v4 situation within a confined space and with a defense starting with a 3-second delay, your defenders work on the tactical aspect of collective positioning in the game. The attacking players will work on compensation and defensive recovery....
Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
8 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U16
Excellent exercise to train your players on defensive positioning and the team's zonal defense....
Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U16
Ideal for learning to counterattack quickly and advance as a team. The defensive aspect is also present in this exercise, perfect for working your defenders!...
Other sub-theme U16 soccer drills
U16 Agility soccer drills
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
- Circuit in groups of 3 with duels and shooting work
- Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
U16 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Attacking transition: recovery and retention
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
- Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
U16 Build-up play soccer drills
- Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
- Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa
- Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
U16 Circuit soccer drills
- Diamond play with passing combinations
- Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work
- Offensive Combinations and Shooting with 4 Players
U16 Cognitive soccer drills
- Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
- Specific Forwards: Shooting Around the Edge of the Box
- Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
U16 Counterattack soccer drills
- Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
- Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter
- 6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
U16 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
U16 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
- Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
U16 Dribbling soccer drills
- Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
- Athletic work in 30-15 with the ball on 4 stations
- Circuit in groups of 3 with duels and shooting work
U16 Duels soccer drills
- 1v1 Duels with Mini Goals Following a Passing Sequence
- Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
- Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
U16 Endurance soccer drills
- High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)
- Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing
- Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
U16 Explosive strength soccer drills
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
- Speed training: long and repeated sprints over 3 distances
U16 Fun Game soccer drills
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- Shooting practice on 3 consecutive phases of play
- Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
U16 Gaps soccer drills
- Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
- Crosses and Heading with 2 Side Zones (variation)
- José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
U16 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Double 2v1 following a passing combination
- Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting
- Shooting drills with attacking combinations and support player
U16 Overload soccer drills
- 2v1 with shooting and defender tracking back
- Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
U16 Passes soccer drills
- 1v1 Duels with Mini Goals Following a Passing Sequence
- Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates
- Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
U16 Positional play soccer drills
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
- Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone
U16 Possession soccer drills
- 6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals
- Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
- 6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
U16 Pressing soccer drills
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
- Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
U16 Rondos soccer drills
- Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
- Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
U16 Scanning soccer drills
- Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
- Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
U16 Shooting soccer drills
- Specific Forwards: Shooting Around the Edge of the Box
- Passing circuit on 6 cones with shooting on a full-size goal
- Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
U16 Support soccer drills
- Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
- 3v3 Wing Play with Support
- Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third