defensive recovery / tracking back U17 soccer drills
defensive recovery / tracking back U17 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
Categories
U14 U15 U16 U17Sub-themes
Defensive recovery / Tracking backDiscover our defensive recovery / tracking back U17 drills
Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
15 min
4-24 joueurs
Technical
U17
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
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
U17
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
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
U17
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
Progress with our drills
Join our community of amateur coaches and access 500+ premium drills with diagrams inspired by pro coaches. Get new drills every week.
Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play
15 min
11-15 joueurs
Tactical
U17
Exercise focused on goalkeeper work and how players move when their goalkeeper has the ball in hand. The goalkeeper's decision-making is essential to determine whether it is preferable to play short or direct....
Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
20 min
18-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17
Used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, this drill will help you work on the attacking-defensive transition in the upper part of the field....
Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2
15 min
10-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17
Used by Mikel Arteta during a training session at Arsenal, this drill will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with a 4v2 followed by a 6v4....
Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
20 min
15-20 joueurs
Tactical
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
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....
Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches
20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17
Used by Claudio Ranieri during a training session at Leicester, this dynamic drill is perfect for getting your players to work on the defensive-to-attacking transition in the high area of the field....
Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones
15 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U17
This drill will help improve your players' speed in exploiting a numerical advantage during a counterattack. Highly appreciated by players!...
Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels
12 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
U17
This two-step drill is inspired by an exercise implemented by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. It's ideal for working on attacking and defensive transitions in the defensive third of the field....
Decision Making and Shooting in 2v1 (+1) with Defensive Recovery
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U17
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
U17
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....
Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U17
On the agenda for this exercise: shooting, decision-making, and reaction time. An exercise that players generally enjoy a lot....
Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
20 min
8-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17
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
U17
This drill in the form of a 2v2 with support is ideal for working on two-player defense and positioning in tight spaces....
Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U17
This highly dynamic drill starts with a goalkeeper's distribution followed by a series of 1v2 duels with a defender in pursuit, potentially evolving into a 3v3....
1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U17
1v1 duels from different perspectives: first a 1v1, then a defensive transition to quickly move into a 2v1 on the large goal....
Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp
20 min
6-20 joueurs
Technical
U17
Used in Dortmund, this drill, which allows for numerous variations, will require your players to work on defensive recovery in an organized manner. The program includes: short passing game, duels, and shooting on small goals....
Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
14 min
9-18 joueurs
Technical
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....
4v4 game with line touch after each goal
15 min
12-22 joueurs
Conditioning
U17
Two teams play on a small field and try to score with one condition: every time a team loses possession, they must sprint, touch their goal line, and then come back to defend. Quite intense!...
Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
15 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U17
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
U17
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
Excellent exercise to train your players on defensive positioning and the team's zonal defense....
Technical work in 2v2, cross and shooting
25 min
15-17 joueurs
Technical
U17
Through a 2v2 drill ending with a shot, your players work on ball retention and recovery as well as shooting in front of the goal....
Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U17
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 U17 soccer drills
U17 Agility soccer drills
- Speed training: interval sprints on various courses
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
U17 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels
- Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2
- Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
U17 Build-up play soccer drills
- Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play
- 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
- Tracking back by forwards and involvement in build-up play
U17 Circuit soccer drills
- The double passing sequence of F. Lampard
- Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
U17 Cognitive soccer drills
- Specific Forwards: Shooting Around the Edge of the Box
- Layoff in one-touch play during a passing sequence
- The 4 Colors of Unai Emery: Quickness and Reaction Time
U17 Counterattack soccer drills
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
U17 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game
- 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
- 3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones
U17 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
- 4v4 game with line touch after each goal
- Shot then defensive transition in 1v1
U17 Dribbling soccer drills
- Warm-up with Bayern Munich Relay
- Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
- Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
U17 Dribbling soccer drills
- Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
U17 Duels soccer drills
- Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp
- Working on Heading
- Warm-up: Passing drills and 1v1 training
U17 Endurance soccer drills
- Athletic work with alternating runs on half-field
- Speed work with varied movements over 25 meters
- High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
U17 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Pep Guardiola's technical circuit with shooting and speed drill
- Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
- Speed training: long and repeated sprints over 3 distances
U17 Fun Game soccer drills
- Agility and information gathering by color and by team
- Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
U17 Gaps soccer drills
- Effectively utilizing the spaces between the lines
- Direct play with a double 4v1 and a central zone
- José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
U17 Motor skills soccer drills
- Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
U17 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
- Double 2v1 following a passing combination
- Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
U17 Overload soccer drills
- Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1
- 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
- Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing
U17 Passes soccer drills
- Warm-up: deflection play and combination play
- Short possession with switch of play and support sprints
- 3v1 Exchange, layoff and shooting on small goal
U17 Positional play soccer drills
- Effectively utilizing the spaces between the lines
- Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
U17 Possession soccer drills
- Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- 4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
U17 Pressing soccer drills
- Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
- Possession game and defensive-attacking transition in a 6v6 (+ 2)
- Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing
U17 Rondos soccer drills
- Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage
- Fast Play: Speed of Passing and Play
- Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
U17 Scanning soccer drills
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches
- Switch of play, information gathering, and defensive positioning play
U17 Shooting soccer drills
- Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
- Back pass and 2v2 at the edge of the penalty area
- Shooting practice with slalom and body feint
U17 Support soccer drills
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- "Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
- 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
A growing library of 600+ drills
Used by coaches to plan sessions faster, with new drills every week.