explosive strength U17 soccer drills
explosive strength U17 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the explosive strength aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drills3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
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.
Using 4 cones, create a 20x20m area then form 2 teams of 3 players and one team of 4 players (see animation). Place one player from each team in the center of the field, then ask the others to spread out on each side. Next, place the 4 players from the last team at each corner of the playing area.
The exercise proceeds as follows:
- The 3-player teams must keep the ball as long as possible but only score a point when the central player touches the ball.
- The corner players serve as support for the team in the offensive position.
- The corner players as well as the support players are only allowed one touch of the ball.
A pass to the central player = 1 point.
Variation: to evolve the exercise, you can prohibit the side players from making a pass to a support. Only the central players can play on the support.
Remember to adjust the number of zones based on the number of players present at practice. If you have a group of 20 players, for example, you can create 2 zones and perform the exercise simultaneously in each zone.
Discover our explosive strength U17 drills
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
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
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
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
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:
- 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.
Speed training: long and repeated sprints over 3 distances
12 min
1-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U16
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
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U18
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
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....
Speed work: alternating jogging-sprint on a progressive run
12 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - U14
Speed circuit alternating sequences of low-intensity jogging and short sprints over progressively increasing distances....
Speed work with varied movements over 25 meters
15 min
4-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U14 - U15
Sequence of specific movements (walking, backpedaling, lateral movement, sprinting) on a linear course of 25 meters....
Speed training: interval sprints on various courses
12 min
5-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U19
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
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....
Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
10 min
4-16 joueurs
Conditioning
U20 - Seniors
Quick possession game in 3v1 where the reds must finish in a mini-goal before the central player touches the mannequin....
Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
12 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U15 - U14
Ball control drill with slalom followed by a quick return in control or pass depending on the progression....
Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training
15 min
15-30 joueurs
Conditioning
Seniors - U20
Alternating between high-intensity small-sided games and intermittent running drills to maintain consistent physical engagement throughout the session....
Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
12 min
5-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U17
Used during a training session at Bayern Munich, this agility drill with slalom around 4 cones alternating between the right and left sides is ideal for working on different footwork....
Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
12 min
4-24 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U14
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....
Curved interval training with footwork on a 20-20
10 min
2-22 joueurs
Conditioning
U17 - Seniors
Athletic circuit with interval training in 20-20 (then 10-10) for short and intense efforts. Used in several Premier League clubs, it is ideal at the start of the season and can be offered at all levels from ages 16-17....
Anaerobic with interval work in 10/20/30
10 min
6-22 joueurs
Conditioning
U20 - Seniors
Exercise primarily highlighting anaerobic metabolism, it can be used at the beginning of the season or during a post-winter break recovery phase, for example....
Agility and information gathering by color and by team
20 min
6-18 joueurs
Conditioning
Seniors - U20
Used by Manchester United, this agility drill is ideal for combining cognitive work with athletic training, while incorporating ball play....
Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations
15 min
4-20 joueurs
Conditioning
U19 - U18
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
12 min
4-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U18 - U19
Athletic conditioning circuit with 4 different stations and a focus on changes of direction. You can also use this drill with a ball....
Pep Guardiola's technical circuit with shooting and speed drill
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U18 - U17
Used at Bayern Munich, this technical circuit consists of a sequence of passes, mini speed drills, and concludes with shooting on a full-size goal....
Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U16
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
U17 - U18
A small agility exercise that will engage your players' cognitive abilities while keeping a significant portion of the drill with the ball....
3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - 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....
Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
20 min
8-18 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U18
Another exercise used by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich during a public training session, this circuit is ideal for working on agility: reaction time, concentration, and footwork. Your players will not be disappointed!...
Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
12 min
8-12 joueurs
Technical
U17 - U16
Drill conducted by Manchester City in 2016 during a pre-season training session, it perfectly combines numerous aspects such as athletic work, agility, shooting, and precision of passes....
Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
12 min
6-12 joueurs
Conditioning
U16 - U15
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
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....
Technical Circuit of Passing, Dribbling, and Shooting
18 min
6-12 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U14
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....
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!...
Other sub-theme U17 soccer drills
U17 Agility soccer drills
- The warm-up with 3 stations by Carlo Ancelotti
- Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
U17 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches
- Possession play and high press in 2 zones
- Finishing sequence followed by 2v2 opposition
U17 Build-up play soccer drills
- Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play
- Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage
U17 Circuit soccer drills
- Forward passing circuit with one-touch layoff
- Pep Guardiola's triple one-two pass with give-and-go and directional control
- Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
U17 Cognitive soccer drills
- Specific Forwards: Shooting Around the Edge of the Box
- Layoff in one-touch play during a passing sequence
- Double square: combinations and sequences of short passing game
U17 Counterattack soccer drills
- Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- 3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones
U17 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Counter-pressing work by J. Nagelsmann in 10v10 with 4 goals
- 9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones
- Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
U17 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels
- Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
- Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery
U17 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
- Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
- Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play
U17 Dribbling soccer drills
- Layoff in one-touch play and timing of the final pass in the Spanish national team
- Shooting drill with slalom and passing sequence (non-contact)
- Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
U17 Duels soccer drills
- Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
- 1v1 Duel Facing the Goal
- Combine in a 2v1 to eliminate the direct opponent
U17 Endurance soccer drills
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
- Speed training: interval sprints on various courses
- Fast ball dribbling athletic drill
U17 Fun Game soccer drills
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
U17 Gaps soccer drills
- Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6
- Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier
- Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
U17 Motor skills soccer drills
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
- Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
U17 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Offensive Combinations and Shooting with 4 Players
- Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
- Shooting drills with attacking combinations and support player
U17 Overload soccer drills
- Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
- Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
- 1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing
U17 Passes soccer drills
- Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit
- Forward passing circuit with one-touch layoff
- Athletic work in 30-15 with the ball on 4 stations
U17 Positional play soccer drills
- Switch of play and defensive positioning game
- Speed of play and quickness in 6v6 with support
- Build-up play: finding space between the lines
U17 Possession soccer drills
- 3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone
U17 Pressing soccer drills
- Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
- Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing
- Build-up and transition in 5v3
U17 Rondos soccer drills
- Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
- Fast Play: Speed of Passing and Play
- Rondo and Switch of Play in 4 Zones by Rafael Benitez
U17 Scanning soccer drills
- Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
- Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
- Rafael Benitez Passing Circuit with give and go, opening, and direct play
U17 Shooting soccer drills
- Combine in a 2v1 to eliminate the direct opponent
- 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
- Getting Open and Combinations in Front of Goal
U17 Support soccer drills
- 5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Short passing game and direct play with support