explosive strength U15 soccer drills

explosive strength U15 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the explosive strength aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work

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.

Animation: Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
Prepare your workshop in advance to avoid keeping your players waiting. You will need poles, 4 hoops, and 3 cones. Don't forget the discs.

The first player in the circuit (A) positions at the disc and will make a pass to the second player (B) who returns it with one-touch play. A will then play a through ball for B through the gate in front. After making the pass, A will perform agility and speed work within the hoops, then the 3 cones behind.

The second player B will then play to C, the third player, who will receive the ball after slaloming through the poles. C then plays a short pass to the last player, D, who will perform a dummy run and then go into dribbling for a few meters. The circuit ends with B making a pass to the next player waiting at the start.

Combining different components of a player's work such as athletic work, agility, and passing quality, this workshop will allow you to train your players under good conditions.

Remember to emphasize your instructions on relative intensity: the acceleration of the second player and the agility work of the first player must be done at 100%. These 2 workshops set the pace for the exercise, they should not be neglected.

Discover our explosive strength U15 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
U14 - U15
High-intensity shuttle runs across the width of the field, followed by structured active recovery....
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
U15 - Seniors
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....
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
U15 - U13
High-intensity 1v1 duel with a directional layoff pass, goal choice, and immediate shooting....
Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape

Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape

15 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U16 - U15
Rhythmic course combining sprints, lateral runs, jogging, and walking around a central diamond for several timed laps....
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The U15 exercises can encompass many themes, but we advise you to focus on the basics: movement, control-pass, and game understanding. These will be the foundations for your players for many years to come. Make sure to animate your U15 training sessions well, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.

The U15 category in soccer, which includes players aged 14-15 and is also known as under 15, marks an important stage in a young player's learning. Indeed, they transition from understanding the sport to a more competitive and rigorous aspect. This development period is characterized by a significant increase in the players' technical, tactical, and physical skills, all linked to maximum game mastery and understanding of its stakes.

What is the U15 category in soccer?


The U15 category in soccer includes players under 15 who practice this sport. At this age, players are generally in full adolescence, which implies significant changes both physically, emotionally, and socially.

On the field, this translates to an increase in size, strength, and coordination. Tactical game concepts are also more easily grasped, allowing you, as a coach, to vary your training approach.

The objectives of the U15 category


The main objective of the U15 category in soccer is to prepare players for higher levels of competition they will encounter in upcoming seasons. The goal is to continue their progress as athletes but also as individuals.

Other objectives may stem from the main one, including: 
  1. Perfecting individual technical skills like dribbles, controls, shots, and passes.
  2. Developing a true tactical understanding of the game through both defensive and offensive movements, not forgetting game awareness.
  3. Strengthening the physical condition of growing players: endurance, speed, strength, and agility.
  4. Promoting sports values like fair play, respect for teammates, opponents, and referees.
  5. Expressing player leadership and helping them understand their responsibilities.
  6. Preparing players for higher competitions by offering complex and pressure-filled game situations.

Some tips for coaching a U15 team


Coaching a U15 team requires a dynamic and personalized approach to discover the potential of each of your players, who individually do not grow in the same way. Here are some tips we can give you: 
  • Set clear expectations in terms of behavior, commitment, and performance while creating a positive and stimulating training environment.
  • Design varied and progressive training sessions that emphasize the development of technical, tactical, and physical skills.
  • Encourage autonomy and responsibility among players by giving them leadership roles and promoting their involvement in session planning and evaluation.
  • Provide constructive and individualized feedback to help players identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Integrate elements of mental preparation and stress management to help players face competition challenges and develop resilience.

What training exercises for U15s?


As with all categories, it is important for you to adapt your training sessions based on your group's level.

Here are some examples: 
  1. Ball possession exercises with quick transitions to improve decision-making and coordination.
  2. Set up combinations and triangle plays to promote team play and communication.
  3. Work on shooting with realistic game situations to improve offensive efficiency in front of the goal.
  4. Offer small-sided games with specific rules to stimulate creativity and problem-solving among players.
  5. Improve individual and collective defense with marking exercises and pressing.

In summary, the U15 category in soccer marks a true turning point in soccer learning. Adolescents grow and develop their game, skills, and understanding of the sport to play at higher levels in upcoming seasons.
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
U19 - U20
Sequence of specific movements (walking, backpedaling, lateral movement, sprinting) on a linear course of 25 meters....
Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing

Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing

15 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U14
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
U17 - U16
Ball control drill with slalom followed by a quick return in control or pass depending on the progression....
Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work

Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work

12 min
4-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U18
Inspired by the work done by American football players, this exercise is ideal for getting your players to work on their fitness and agility in a competitive manner....
Dynamic Warm-up with Passing, Slalom, and Dribbling

Dynamic Warm-up with Passing, Slalom, and Dribbling

15 min
8-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U15 - U14
Used during a training session at FC Barcelona, this highly dynamic warm-up will allow your players to quickly increase their intensity....
Speed Work and 1v1 Duels

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

Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U20
A small agility exercise that will engage your players' cognitive abilities while keeping a significant portion of the drill with the ball....
Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run

Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run

12 min
6-12 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U14
Ball control exercise with diagonal runs, ideal for working on the athletic aspect of pre-season while maintaining a technical component....
Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work

Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work

12 min
4-8 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U16
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....
Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting

Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting

18 min
6-12 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U16
Exercise used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, it is ideal for working on different aspects: passing quality, off-the-ball runs to create space, and finally shooting....
1v1 and agility: support and change of direction

1v1 and agility: support and change of direction

12 min
6-12 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U13
Through this 1v1 drill, your players improve their footwork and change of direction at high speed. They also practice both offensive dribbling and defensive back-pedaling....
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
U13 - U15
Fun exercise ideal for working on motor skills: footwork, balance, and body control....
4v4 Numerical Equality Game and Shooting Situation

4v4 Numerical Equality Game and Shooting Situation

20 min
10-12 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U14
By creating game conditions in a limited space, leading to an off-the-ball run and a shooting opportunity, you allow your players to work on both offensive and defensive actions in an even-numbered situation....

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