endurance U17 soccer drills

endurance U17 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the endurance aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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Athletic work with the "1 to 4" then "4 to 1" pyramid

Simple athletic drill easy to set up and practiced in the biggest clubs. It will allow you to work with your players using an infinite number of variations. Strong mentality recommended!

Animation: Athletic work with the "1 to 4" then "4 to 1" pyramid
Place 5 cones about 10m apart, forming a line perpendicular to the goal line. Do the same on the other side of the field. Players position themselves at the goal line, leaving 1 to 2 meters of space between them.

They will then need to sprint to the first cone, turn around and sprint back to the starting line. They then repeat the same to the 2nd line of cones, and return, then again to the 3rd line of cones. Return to the goal line before doing the same to the 4th line, come back and finish at 100% to the starting point.

Perform 5-10 repetitions.

You can implement variations:
  • Return in reverse to the starting line.
  • Perform the exercise with ball control.
  • Ask players to touch the line on the ground with their hand each time they pass.

This is a simple and classic exercise, which is very similar to “suicides” in basketball. It is important that you use your voice if you want your players to give their all. Never stop, even if the exercise is painful. Reduce stride length, slow down, go at your own pace, but do not stop. Relative intensity is crucial in this drill.

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Endurance

Discover our endurance U17 drills

High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery

High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery

20 min
1-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U20 - U19
High-intensity shuttle runs across the width of the field, followed by structured active recovery....
Aerobic Power Circuit (15–15–30) in Skill-Based Groups

Aerobic Power Circuit (15–15–30) in Skill-Based Groups

15 min
1-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U20
Aerobic power training where players perform 15-second runs between different gates while adjusting their pace to arrive at the signal....
High-Intensity Pair Running Repetitions

High-Intensity Pair Running Repetitions

10 min
2-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U20 - Seniors
High-intensity repeated runs in pairs, with relay, around markers placed all around the field....
Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting

Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U15
3v3 game with goalkeepers and two wide supports to create link-ups on the wide areas and find a situation for a give-and-go or a cross before shooting....
4v4 with active recovery and transitions – attacking the width in small-sided play

4v4 with active recovery and transitions – attacking the width in small-sided play

20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U14
Two teams compete in a 4v4 to score on a large goal or cross a line, with a third team actively recovering and rotating every two minutes....
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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: 
  1. 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…).
  2. Intensity and specificity : at this age, training should be intense and focused on specific elements for each session, with exercises simulating real match situations.
  3. The importance of individual and collective development: it is crucial to find a balance between individual improvement and team cohesion.
  4. 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:
  1. Positional play exercises: Develop tactical understanding by setting up various game situations.
  2. Shooting drills: Focus on improving shooting skills in different situations, under pressure.
  3. Specific physical training: sessions dedicated to improving a specific element like strength, speed, and endurance.
  4. Tactical sessions: representation of real match conditions, testing new strategies and formations…
  5. Shooting exercises: varied drills to sharpen effectiveness in front of goal under different pressures and angles.
  6. 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.
  7. Match simulations: generally conducted at the end of the match to develop quick decision-making and tactical adaptability in match conditions.
  8. 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.
6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width

6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
6v6 game with goalkeepers where teams must attack with width and skip the restricted zone to play a through ball....
Shooting and using support during the build-up play

Shooting and using support during the build-up play

10 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U14
Very dynamic drill where the player must serve a winger on the run to initiate the counterattack....
Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger

Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger

15 min
4-24 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U17
Defensive duel to recover the ball before immediately launching a winger in a counterattack....
Speed training: long and repeated sprints over 3 distances

Speed training: long and repeated sprints over 3 distances

12 min
1-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U19
Soccer-specific speed session with three blocks of sprints at varied distances and controlled recovery on the return....
2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area

2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U16
Anaerobic speed work with multiple quick attacks in 2v2 from a wide area with the option to use a layoff before shooting....
Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape

Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape

15 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U14
Rhythmic course combining sprints, lateral runs, jogging, and walking around a central diamond for several timed laps....
Speed work: alternating jogging-sprint on a progressive run

Speed work: alternating jogging-sprint on a progressive run

12 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U14
Speed circuit alternating sequences of low-intensity jogging and short sprints over progressively increasing distances....
Speed work with varied movements over 25 meters

Speed work with varied movements over 25 meters

15 min
4-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U14
Sequence of specific movements (walking, backpedaling, lateral movement, sprinting) on a linear course of 25 meters....
Speed training: interval sprints on various courses

Speed training: interval sprints on various courses

12 min
5-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
Straight-line speed run alternating short sprints, recovery walks, and progressive sequences from 10 to 40 meters....
Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing

Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing

15 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U16
Individual drill for a forward with a curved run, directional control, followed by a quick double shooting into two mini-goals....
Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns

Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns

12 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U14 - U15
Ball control drill with slalom followed by a quick return in control or pass depending on the progression....
High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)

High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)

16 min
8-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U14
1v1 tournament in a promotion-relegation format with 4 fields featuring different rules to enhance intensity, creativity, and the repetition of duels....
Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training

Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training

15 min
15-30 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U16
Alternating between high-intensity small-sided games and intermittent running drills to maintain consistent physical engagement throughout the session....
Aerobic Training for Early Season in 6 Phases

Aerobic Training for Early Season in 6 Phases

15 min
2-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U16
Aerobic endurance exercise that will allow your players to work in intervals over varying distances. Ideal at the start of the season or following a winter break....
Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations

Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations

15 min
12-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U14
Perfect drill for a warm-up during a session with an athletic focus. Remember to gradually increase intensity and alternate players in support....
Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations

Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations

15 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
This fundamental endurance athletic circuit is ideal for working your players through different drills, all at about 70% of their maximum heart rate (MHR)....
Athletic and conditioning circuit in 4 sets

Athletic and conditioning circuit in 4 sets

12 min
4-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
Athletic conditioning circuit with 4 different stations and a focus on changes of direction. You can also use this drill with a ball....
Warm-up with the ball, dribbling, and slalom

Warm-up with the ball, dribbling, and slalom

12 min
5-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U18 - U17
Running, dribbling, and slalom are on the agenda for this warm-up used at Tottenham at the start of the season. Very simple to set up and can be duplicated if you have a large number of players....
Athletic work with alternating runs on half-field

Athletic work with alternating runs on half-field

10 min
18-24 joueurs
Conditioning
Seniors - U17
The goal of this drill is to focus on managing recovery time between sprints. Players increase their endurance and lung capacity with these accelerations, whose intensity gradually increases....
4v4 game with line touch after each goal

4v4 game with line touch after each goal

15 min
12-22 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U19
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!...
Fast ball dribbling athletic drill

Fast ball dribbling athletic drill

12 min
3-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
Ideal for pre-season or resuming after the winter break, this easy-to-set-up drill is extremely practical because it allows you to work with a large number of players simultaneously....
Athletic work with the "1 to 4" then "4 to 1" pyramid

Athletic work with the "1 to 4" then "4 to 1" pyramid

12 min
10-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
Simple athletic drill easy to set up and practiced in the biggest clubs. It will allow you to work with your players using an infinite number of variations. Strong mentality recommended!...
Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work

Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work

12 min
4-8 joueurs
Conditioning
U16 - U15
This is a circuit that combines many aspects of a player's work such as athletic training, agility, and passing quality. Used in pre-season at Manchester City, it should help your players prepare well for the year....
Aerobic training and long balls

Aerobic training and long balls

14 min
12-14 joueurs
Warm-up
U19 - U17
Excellent exercise for warm-up, your players work on both their aerobic capacity and long balls....
Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness

Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness

15 min
8-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U19 - U17
An ideal circuit for pre-season. Among the benefits of this routine: improves joint stability, aerobic endurance, and explosiveness!...
Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team

Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team

20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - 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

  1. Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
  2. Speed training: interval sprints on various courses
  3. Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
See all

U17 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. 2v2 Situation and Shooting
  2. Possession play and high press in 2 zones
  3. Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
See all

U17 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. Possession play and progressive switches of play
  2. Positioned Attack and Offensive Movements (8v8)
  3. Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8
See all

U17 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
  2. Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
  3. Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
See all

U17 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. Layoff in one-touch play during a passing sequence
  2. First touch and shooting within the box
  3. Possession and Recovery in 2v2
See all

U17 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions
  2. Defensive-attacking transition: switch of play with possession in 2 areas
  3. Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones
See all

U17 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
  2. "Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
  3. Counter-pressing work by J. Nagelsmann in 10v10 with 4 goals
See all

U17 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2
  2. Defensive work in pairs in a small area
  3. Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
See all

U17 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2
  2. Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels
  3. Finishing sequence followed by 2v2 opposition
See all

U17 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit
  2. Layoff in one-touch play and timing of the final pass in the Spanish national team
  3. One-touch short passing drill in a diamond formation
See all

U17 Duels soccer drills

  1. Shot then defensive transition in 1v1
  2. Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
  3. Zonal defense with a 3v3 in an expanded area
See all

U17 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
  2. Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
  3. Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
See all

U17 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Agility and information gathering by color and by team
  2. Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure
  3. 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
See all

U17 Gaps soccer drills

  1. Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
  2. Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier
  3. Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6
See all

U17 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
  2. Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
See all

U17 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Double 2v1 following a passing combination
  2. Shooting drills with attacking combinations and support player
  3. Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
See all

U17 Overload soccer drills

  1. Possession play and switching against a low block
  2. 5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
  3. 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
See all

U17 Passes soccer drills

  1. Passing drills with one-touch play and supporting player
  2. Possession game with 3 teams and river
  3. Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
See all

U17 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Possession play and high press in 2 zones
  2. 8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones
  3. Possession game with 3 teams and river
See all

U17 Possession soccer drills

  1. Possession game and defensive-attacking transition in a 6v6 (+ 2)
  2. Possession play and progressive switches of play
  3. Possession game in 4v2 with quick transitions and pressing
See all

U17 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Build-up and transition in 5v3
  2. Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter
  3. Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone
See all

U17 Rondos soccer drills

  1. Short passing game and direct play with support
  2. Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
  3. Small group possession in 4 zones
See all

U17 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
  2. José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
  3. Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
See all

U17 Shooting soccer drills

  1. Finishing drill in front of the goal by J. Klopp with a three-player play
  2. Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1
  3. Back pass and 2v2 at the edge of the penalty area
See all

U17 Support soccer drills

  1. Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
  2. Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
  3. 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
See all

U17 Transition soccer drills

  1. Aerial duel, second ball, and dynamic play in 5v3
  2. Possession play and high press in 2 zones
  3. Attacking transition: recovery and retention
See all

U17 Using width soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
  2. Crosses and Heading with 2 Side Zones (variation)
  3. Forward play with possession in 6v3
See all