duels U16 soccer drills
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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 duels U16 drills
Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
15 min
10-18 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U14
Offensive situation where the attacker plays under pressure and relies on two supports to create a 2v1 and find the best shooting option....
Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
15 min
4-24 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U16
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
U16 - U17
3v3 midfield build-up exercise with the requirement to find a target forward in the final third before being able to finish....
High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)
16 min
8-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U14 - U15
1v1 tournament in a promotion-relegation format with 4 fields featuring different rules to enhance intensity, creativity, and the repetition of duels....
Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
Ideal for working on ball control and dribbling under pressure, this circuit will allow your players to express their creativity while working on duels with a direct opponent....
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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.
Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
Used during a training session at Manchester City, this high-intensity drill is ideal for working on the attacking-defensive transition and managing numerical advantage. All of this in a spirit of healthy competition....
1v1 Duels with Mini Goals Following a Passing Sequence
15 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U17
1v1 duel drill with many possible variations that will call upon the cognitive qualities of your players....
Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
30 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U19
Used by Vicente Del Bosque during a training session at Real Madrid, this drill is ideal for working on duels and the short passing game in tight spaces....
1v1 Duels with a double following a sequence of passes
20 min
12-20 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
This very intense drill focuses on 1v1 duels and quick decision-making. Your players should enjoy it!...
Decision Making and Shooting in 2v1 (+1) with Defensive Recovery
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
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
U17 - U16
This drill in the form of a 2v2 with support is ideal for working on two-player defense and positioning in tight spaces....
Circuit in groups of 3 with duels and shooting work
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
A highly dynamic drill that will allow your players to work on shooting with 1v1 duels on crosses. Ideal for U14-U15 but can be applied to different age groups (by adjusting the distances)....
Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U13
Creative exercise allowing you to work on attacking-defensive transitions with a double 2v1 and a combination of passes. Use the suggested variations to make the exercise closer to real match conditions....
Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
This speed-agility drill with 1v1 duels and shooting on a full-size goal is ideal after a complete warm-up. You can add your personal touch to it....
Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U14 - Seniors
A small agility exercise that will engage your players' cognitive abilities while keeping a significant portion of the drill with the ball....
1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U15 - Seniors
On the agenda: 1v1 duels followed by 2v1 with a defender in pursuit. Quick decision-making will be crucial!...
Double 2v1 following a passing combination
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U15
Intense and very interesting 2v1 exercise to work on offensive combinations. Consider offering progressions during the drill....
Zonal defense with a 3v3 in an expanded area
15 min
6-24 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U16
Excellent exercise to work on ball circulation to find a shooting angle. It will allow your players to multiply offensive combinations while having your defenders work on zonal marking....
Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Tactical
U14 - U15
This high-intensity drill will allow your players to work on attacking sequences while emphasizing the importance of decision-making during the defensive phase....
Combine in a 2v1 to eliminate the direct opponent
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U17
This drill is ideal for working on direct elimination in match situations, while using sideways support and finishing near the edge of the penalty area....
Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U13
High-energy small-sided game with lots of changes in pace, this drill is perfect for working on attacking and defensive transitions and concentration. Your players will definitely love it!...
2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U15
Ideal drill to train your players on 2v2 and basic tactical principles (to draw a defender, support, and off-the-ball runs for attackers, and pressuring the ball carrier and defensive cover for defenders)....
1v1 Duel Facing the Goal
15 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U12
Excellent 1v1 drill allowing your players to practice both the duel as the last defender (defensive) and the duel facing the goal to finish an action (offensive)....
Warm-up: Passing drills and 1v1 training
20 min
16-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U14 - U15
Warm-up drill to work your players on short passing, direct play, and ball recovery in 1v1 situations....
Defensive play training for the fullback
15 min
8-12 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U18
Ideal exercise for training your fullbacks in defensive play on the wing and the sequence of defensive actions....
Shot then defensive transition in 1v1
10 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U14
The individual attacking-to-defensive transition is one of the most important aspects of modern soccer, yet it is often overlooked during certain sessions. Here is an exercise that should address this!...
Other sub-theme U16 soccer drills
U16 Agility soccer drills
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing
- Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
U16 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
- Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
U16 Build-up play soccer drills
- Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
- Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8
- Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
U16 Circuit soccer drills
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
- Athletic work in 30-15 with the ball on 4 stations
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
U16 Cognitive soccer drills
- 1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing
- Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
- Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6
U16 Counterattack soccer drills
- Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1
U16 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- 6v3 Positional Play with Mini Goals
- Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
U16 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones
U16 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
- Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
- Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones
U16 Dribbling soccer drills
- Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
- Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
U16 Endurance soccer drills
- High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Speed work with varied movements over 25 meters
U16 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training
- Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
U16 Fun Game soccer drills
- Shooting practice on 3 consecutive phases of play
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
U16 Gaps soccer drills
- José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
- Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
- Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
U16 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
- Offensive Combinations and Shooting with 4 Players
- Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting
U16 Overload soccer drills
- 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
- Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa
- Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
U16 Passes soccer drills
- Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
- Passing drills with one-touch play and supporting player
- Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates
U16 Positional play soccer drills
- Diamond play with passing combinations
- Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
- Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
U16 Possession soccer drills
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
- Possession play and progressive switches of play
- 4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
U16 Pressing soccer drills
- Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
U16 Rondos soccer drills
- Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
U16 Scanning soccer drills
- Possession play and switching against a low block
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
U16 Shooting soccer drills
- Shooting practice on 3 consecutive phases of play
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
U16 Support soccer drills
- Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting