duels U11 soccer drills

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Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload

A very fun game that combines problem-solving, decision-making, and attacking-defensive transitions. Highly appreciated by players and ideal for soccer schools!

Animation: Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload
Mark out a zone of approximately 20x25m with 2 small goals on each width. Outside this playing area, set up a tic-tac-toe grid using cones. Form 2 teams of 5 players and position yourself outside the area with a source of balls by your side. 

The exercise starts with a tic-tac-toe (using pinnies or colored cones). Each player must place a pinnie in the square of their choice. The first team to make a line of 3 (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) will then gain a numerical advantage for the following opposition. As soon as the point is scored, 2 players from the winning team and 1 player from the losing team enter the playing area, resulting in a 2vs1. 

When a goal is scored, 1 player from each team enters the field to create a 3vs2. With the next goal, the same process leads to a 4vs3, then 5vs4, and finally ends with a 5vs5 in terms of the final opposition.

Count the number of goals scored for each team to establish a form of competition, then restart with the tic-tac-toe once the 5vs5 is completed. 

Note: if the intermediate oppositions (2vs1, 3vs2, etc.) are too long, you can add a time limit and bring in new players even if no team has scored.

The tic-tac-toe game adapted to soccer is a classic, and this variant with opposition is very popular with players!

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Duels

Discover our duels U11 drills

Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends

Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends

15 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U12
1v1 duel where the attacker receives the ball with their back to the defender, must shield the ball, then turn to attack the mini-goal behind them....
Give-and-go, dribble, and shooting from different angles

Give-and-go, dribble, and shooting from different angles

15 min
3-18 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U11
Very simple to set up, this drill allows for practicing short passing combinations before a 1v1 with a defender and a quick shot against the goalkeeper....
1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense

1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense

15 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U12
1v1 duel where the attacker starts with their back to the goal and must turn to shoot, while the defender protects their goal from behind....
Small-sided 2v2 games in 3 "drawer" zones

Small-sided 2v2 games in 3 "drawer" zones

15 min
4-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U11
2v2 game where the attacking team progresses zone by zone to eliminate two defenders positioned on different "levels" before finishing on mini-goals....
Finishing After a 1v1 with a Through Ball Using Different Trajectories

Finishing After a 1v1 with a Through Ball Using Different Trajectories

15 min
4-24 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U10
1v1 duel where the attacker receives a through ball and must pass through a gate before finishing against the goalkeeper....
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What is the U11 category?


The U11 category corresponds to children aged 10-11 years, who generally play on the equivalent of half an 11-a-side field. At this age, the coach's goal is primarily to develop coordination, motor skills, and the technical skills of young players. An initial introduction to some tactical elements can also be offered. When preparing your U11 training sessions, be sure to keep these different aspects in mind. Remember that fun is a fundamental concept at this age, so be mindful of how you conduct your U11 exercises.

A U11 player is still at the early stages of their soccer journey. The goal as a coach is to awaken the different qualities and profile of each player by offering training and types of sessions that are fun yet constructive.
 
Are you coaching a U11 team and looking for advice on how to structure your training sessions or the different exercises to offer your players? You are in the right place! To best help you prepare a training session suitable for U11, here is a detailed and easy-to-implement guide for your sessions.

The objectives of the U11 category in soccer


U11 players, aged 10 to 11 years, still play on a half-field. At this age, the focus for each coach is generally on developing team spirit, motor skills, and ball control while gradually introducing technical elements (dribbling, juggling, etc.). An introduction to basic tactical concepts, such as positioning and decision-making, can also be offered progressively at this age.

Your number one goal as a coach? Maintain a pedagogical approach in your U11 training to stimulate learning while keeping each child's interest and the fun aspect. At this age, sessions should still be centered around mini-games built around soccer, in teams, and preferably offered at the end of training to finish on a more enjoyable note.

Some tips for coaching a U11 team


Training U11s should be intelligently built around several key elements: discovery, the basics of soccer, and creativity. The goal is to understand each young player, their preferences in terms of position, exercises, style of play, personality, etc. The choice of U11 exercises is then crucial to promote the development and highlighting of these different elements.

What training exercises for U11s?


The exercises should be designed to improve both the individual skills of each player while emphasizing team play. Activities like agility courses, dribbling workshops, and small-sided games are excellent for developing technique and tactical understanding. It is also beneficial to integrate games that encourage quick decision-making and game vision, such as themed matches, for example.

Here is a list of exercises to help you organize your training sessions:
  • Passing and oriented control square: Improvement of passing and control technique.
  • Defensive techniques and interceptions: Focus on improving passes for attackers and interceptions for defenders.
  • Defending a zone: Duel exercises to strengthen the defense of a designated area.
  • Motor skills and ball handling: Strengthening balance, coordination, and ball control.
  • Agility course with ball: To develop coordination and ball control.
  • Dribbling workshops: Slaloms between cones to improve ball mastery.
  • Small-sided games (3 vs 3 or 4 vs 4): Encourage team play and quick decision-making.
  • Shooting exercises in front of goal: To improve shooting accuracy
1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals

1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals

12 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U10
High-intensity 1v1 duel with a directional layoff pass, goal choice, and immediate shooting....
Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1

Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1

10 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U10
Series of 1v1 duels where the attacker must read the defender's choice by going through the same colored gate before going to shoot on goal....
7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks

7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks

20 min
14-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U13
Small-sided game in 7v7 with two wide areas dedicated to 1v1 before a cross and shooting in the box....
1v1 Duel with Required Skill Move and Shooting

1v1 Duel with Required Skill Move and Shooting

15 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U13
Through repeated 1v1 duels, players must beat their defender using a prescribed skill move and quickly finish with a shot on goal....
1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support

1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support

15 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U8
A very simple duel exercise to set up, which allows your players, from a young age, to better understand the opponent's runs while keeping their heads up to look for a solution....
Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals

Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals

20 min
6-12 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11 - U10
Small 2v1 duel game in a reduced space that emphasizes movement work, whether it's the defender's positioning or the runs of the 2 attacking players....
Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3

Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3

15 min
9-18 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U10
A small, highly dynamic 3v3 exercise that will help you work on game awareness in tight spaces and improve reactivity between each phase of play....
Defensive recovery activity in 2v2

Defensive recovery activity in 2v2

15 min
8-20 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U9
To be used in soccer school, and particularly with younger players, this drill will help work on 2v2 duels with a temporary numerical advantage....
4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders

4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U13
Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it will allow your players to work on playing with their back to the goal as well as build-up play in a 4v3 setup that is quite simple to implement....
The River Goalkeepers: dribbling and duels in youth academy

The River Goalkeepers: dribbling and duels in youth academy

15 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U7
Ideal drill in soccer school to work on dribbling and familiarize players with duels in a fun way with the famous "river keepers"....
1v1 Distance Duels on Mini Goals

1v1 Distance Duels on Mini Goals

15 min
6-14 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U10
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....
Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel

Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel

15 min
4-14 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U10
This exercise is quite simple to set up and will allow your players to work on dribbling and improve their concentration level, while fostering a healthy competitive spirit....
Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload

Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U11
A very fun game that combines problem-solving, decision-making, and attacking-defensive transitions. Highly appreciated by players and ideal for soccer schools!...
2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)

2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U11
Perfect exercise for your players to work on 2v2 situations and fundamental tactical principles: to draw a defender, support, and off-the-ball runs for the attackers - closing down the ball carrier and defensive cover for the defenders....
Drop-off and ball control

Drop-off and ball control

15 min
12-14 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U12
Ideal exercise to practice the back-pedal technique (defense) and dribbling (attack) with a point system to instill a good competitive spirit....
Protecting a Defensive Zone

Protecting a Defensive Zone

15 min
8-12 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U11
By placing your players in 1v1 situations within a defined space, the defenders work on defensive cover while the attackers practice dribbling....
Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball

Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball

12 min
12-14 joueurs
Conditioning
U10 - U11
Fun exercise ideal for working on motor skills: footwork, balance, and body control....
Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 3)

Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 3)

12 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U13
Ideal exercise for practicing duel techniques: dribbling and acceleration with the ball (offensive); backpedaling and positioning of the attacker (defensive)...
Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 2)

Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 2)

12 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U11
Ideal exercise for practicing 1v1 techniques: dribbling and acceleration with the ball (offensive); backpedaling and positioning of the attacker (defensive)...
Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 1)

Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 1)

12 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U11
Ideal exercise for practicing duel techniques: dribbling and accelerating with the ball (offensive); backpedaling and positioning the attacker (defensive)...
1v1 Duel and Wing Play

1v1 Duel and Wing Play

20 min
10-14 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U13
Excellent exercise for practicing 1v1 duels on the flanks with an attacker’s feint and shooting situation....
1v1 Duel with Chasing Defender

1v1 Duel with Chasing Defender

15 min
12-14 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U13
By giving a slight disadvantage to the defenders, this 1v1 drill helps work on both ball control at full speed for the attacker and delayed defensive situations for the defender....
1v1 Duels and Defensive Positioning

1v1 Duels and Defensive Positioning

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U10
Exercise focused on defensive technique: how to effectively defend when positioned against an attacker in a 1v1? Numerous repetitions to enhance learning....

Other sub-theme U11 soccer drills

U11 Agility soccer drills

  1. Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
  2. Hunter game with perception and coordination work (youth academy)
  3. Small-sided games in 2v2 with goalkeeper in promotion relegation format
See all

U11 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
  2. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
  3. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
See all

U11 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. Switch of play using the central midfielder
  2. 4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders
See all

U11 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Positioning in a "Y", creating space, and shooting
  2. Diamond drill: high-intensity give-and-go with groups of 5
  3. Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
See all

U11 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game
  2. Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run
  3. The double circle: working on spaces (attack/defense)
See all

U11 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
See all

U11 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  2. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
See all

U11 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Collective replacement and management of offensive and defensive space
  2. 1v1 Duels and Defensive Positioning
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
See all

U11 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
  2. Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
See all

U11 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Team relay with dribbling and acceleration
  2. Ball control in varied situations and combined shooting
  3. 1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support
See all

U11 Endurance soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
See all

U11 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Finishing After a 1v1 with a Through Ball Using Different Trajectories
  2. Small-sided games in 2v2 with goalkeeper in promotion relegation format
  3. Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
See all

U11 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3
  2. Small-sided games in 2v2 with goalkeeper in promotion relegation format
  3. Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares
See all

U11 Gaps soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
  2. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  3. Play in Space and Switches of Play
See all

U11 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making
  2. Drop-off and ball control
  3. Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
See all

U11 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. One-two pass combinations with 2 teams then shooting
See all

U11 Overload soccer drills

  1. Defensive recovery activity in 2v2
  2. 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
  3. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
See all

U11 Passes soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: team ball possession
  2. Passing sequence with double one-two pass in a group of 3
  3. Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
See all

U11 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play
  2. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
  3. 3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
See all

U11 Possession soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
  2. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
  3. Possession game with support at the 4 corners
See all

U11 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
  2. Possession game with support at the 4 corners
  3. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
See all

U11 Rondos soccer drills

  1. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  2. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
  3. Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering
See all

U11 Scanning soccer drills

  1. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
  2. Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
  3. Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
See all

U11 Shooting soccer drills

  1. 4v4 and off-the-ball runs into space
  2. 1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
  3. 1v1 Duel with Chasing Defender
See all

U11 Support soccer drills

  1. 1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support
  2. Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
  3. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
See all

U11 Transition soccer drills

  1. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
  2. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
  3. 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
See all

U11 Using width soccer drills

  1. Play in Space and Switches of Play
  2. 3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
  3. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
See all