duels U17 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 U17 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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What does the U17 category in soccer consist of?
The U17 category includes players aged 16-17 and is often very important in the progression of your players. It's the age where most major clubs send their scouts to the sidelines to discover new talents who may have emerged later. The U17 category is a decisive turning point for young aspiring professional soccer players. At this stage, players already possess a solid technical foundation and enter a phase where tactical finesse, physical strength, and mental maturity become crucial to becoming a standout player. This age generally marks the starting point of a more professional soccer journey, or conversely, a more amateur one.
As a coach, many new challenges will arise when coaching a U17 team to maximize the personal development of each player while considering the locker room and collective results. The U17 training sessions must above all be dynamic. It's an age where you can start emphasizing the athletic aspect of your exercises while maintaining a good dose of technical and tactical drills. Here is a detailed sheet to help you prepare your U17 training sessions and better choose the exercises to offer.
Objectives with your U17 players
The main objective at this age is to prepare players for the challenges of senior soccer. This involves advanced technical refinement, a deep understanding of game tactics, and rigorous and more advanced physical preparation.
Simultaneously, psychological aspects, such as pressure management, resilience, and team spirit, become increasingly important.
Some tips for coaching a U17 team
To coach a U17 team, certain principles should be kept in mind as a soccer coach. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Strategic planning: sessions must be carefully planned with clear objectives, focused on specific skills to develop (set pieces, dribbles, build-up play from defense, counterattack, tactical positioning…).
- Intensity and specificity : at this age, training should be intense and focused on specific elements for each session, with exercises simulating real match situations.
- The importance of individual and collective development: it is crucial to find a balance between individual improvement and team cohesion.
- Psychological support: provide mental support to help players manage stress and stay motivated before, during, and after each match. Indeed, this age also marks the beginning of more official competitions at different levels (regional, national…).
Integrating recovery periods is also essential to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth.
What training exercises for U17s?
To best help you build your U17 training sessions, here are some relevant exercise ideas:
- Positional play exercises: Develop tactical understanding by setting up various game situations.
- Shooting drills: Focus on improving shooting skills in different situations, under pressure.
- Specific physical training: sessions dedicated to improving a specific element like strength, speed, and endurance.
- Tactical sessions: representation of real match conditions, testing new strategies and formations…
- Shooting exercises: varied drills to sharpen effectiveness in front of goal under different pressures and angles.
- Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating short passing game, direct play: this exercise primarily focuses on goalkeeper development, highlighting how players should position themselves and move when the goalkeeper has the ball.
- Match simulations: generally conducted at the end of the match to develop quick decision-making and tactical adaptability in match conditions.
- Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola: inspired by Manchester City training, this exercise is perfect for developing a precise offensive sequence, encouraging playing between the lines through a targeted passing sequence.
Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U18
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
U15 - U14
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
U17 - U16
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
U17 - U16
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
U14 - U15
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
U17 - U16
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
U16 - U17
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)....
Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels
18 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U19
Taken from a session with AS Roma, this drill allows you to work on the numerical advantage in a small area dynamically with 3v2 duels....
Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U15
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....
The arena: protecting your goal with defensive duels work
20 min
10-19 joueurs
Technical
U18 - U20
How to work on defensive duels? Here you will have the opportunity to tackle numerous defensive situations in 1v1 then 2v2 from different angles. A rather intense exercise!...
Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U18
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....
Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U15
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 - U18
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
Seniors - U15
On the agenda: 1v1 duels followed by 2v1 with a defender in pursuit. Quick decision-making will be crucial!...
3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U17
This 3v3 small-sided game with 4 corner support players will help you work on combinations in tight spaces. Remember to regularly rotate the support players....
1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U20 - U17
1v1 duels from different perspectives: first a 1v1, then a defensive transition to quickly move into a 2v1 on the large goal....
Double 2v1 following a passing combination
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U15
Intense and very interesting 2v1 exercise to work on offensive combinations. Consider offering progressions during the drill....
Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp
20 min
6-20 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U18
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....
Zonal defense with a 3v3 in an expanded area
15 min
6-24 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U14
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....
Combine in a 2v1 to eliminate the direct opponent
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U14
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
U17 - U16
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!...
Aerial duel, second ball, and dynamic play in 5v3
15 min
14-22 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U18
Game-based drill that will allow your players to work on recovering the second ball following an aerial duel, while keeping in mind the importance of the attacking-defensive transition....
2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U13
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
U16 - 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
U16 - 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 - U17
Ideal exercise for training your fullbacks in defensive play on the wing and the sequence of defensive actions....
Defensive play on opponent's throw-in
15 min
14-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U19 - U17
Ideal warm-up exercise to train your players on throw-ins, especially from a defensive perspective....
Working on Heading
12 min
4-8 joueurs
Technical
U20 - U17
Ideal exercise for practicing headers and crosses with your players, with an increase in aerial duels....
Warm-up: Ground and Aerial Duel
15 min
10-14 joueurs
Warm-up
U18 - Seniors
Ideal warm-up exercise to work on ground duels and aerial duels....
2v2 Situation and Shooting
12 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - Seniors
Ideal exercise for having your players practice shooting from a 2v2 situation....
Shot then defensive transition in 1v1
10 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U15
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!...
Defending with a Numerical Disadvantage
12 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - Seniors
Excellent exercise to learn how to defend when outnumbered, where it is common for one or two defenders to find themselves at a numerical disadvantage. Show your defensively-minded players how to manage these situations and get your attackers accustomed to exploiting them to the fullest!...
Other sub-theme U17 soccer drills
U17 Agility soccer drills
- Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
- Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work
- High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)
U17 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Attacking transition and game awareness
- Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation
- 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
U17 Build-up play soccer drills
- Mr. Bielsa: Creating and Exploiting Space Along the Touchline
- Positional attack and movements between the lines
- Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones
U17 Circuit soccer drills
- Forward passing circuit with one-touch layoff
- Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work
- Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
U17 Cognitive soccer drills
- Restricted zone: Using the wide areas in 5v5
- Possession and Recovery in 2v2
- The 4 Colors of Unai Emery: Quickness and Reaction Time
U17 Counterattack soccer drills
- Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
- Attacking transition: recovery and retention
- Attacking transition and game awareness
U17 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
- Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
- José Mourinho's Counter-pressing Upon Losing Possession in 4v4 (+4)
U17 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
- Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery
U17 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
- "Positional play" in 4v4 + 3 neutral players
U17 Dribbling soccer drills
- One-touch short passing drill in a diamond formation
- Circuit in groups of 3 with duels and shooting work
- Fast ball dribbling athletic drill
U17 Endurance soccer drills
- High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
- Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
- Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
U17 Explosive strength soccer drills
- 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
U17 Fun Game soccer drills
- Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure
U17 Gaps soccer drills
- Direct play with a double 4v1 and a central zone
- Collective play in deflection: movement and availability
- Build-up play: finding space 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
- Passing combination: one-two pass, back pass, and shooting
- Double 2v1 following a passing combination
- One-touch offensive combinations with shooting
U17 Overload soccer drills
- 3v1 Exchange, layoff and shooting on small goal
- 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
- Forward play with possession in 6v3
U17 Passes soccer drills
- Layoff in one-touch play during a passing sequence
- Double square: combinations and sequences of short passing game
- Passing Square and Quick Combinations
U17 Positional play soccer drills
- Possession game with 3 teams and river
- Possession with 3 teams and quick transition play
- 6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width
U17 Possession soccer drills
- Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
- Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone
U17 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
U17 Rondos soccer drills
- Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
- Attacking transition: recovery and retention
- 5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
U17 Scanning soccer drills
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
- Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
U17 Shooting soccer drills
- 1v1 Duel Facing the Goal
- Finishing exercise with diamond passing game
- Decision Making and Shooting in 2v1 (+1) with Defensive Recovery
U17 Support soccer drills
- 5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
- "Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play