gaps U11 soccer drills

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Creating space through movement in 5v5

This exercise will help your players position themselves well in space to offer support to the ball carrier. Many variations are possible with additional cognitive aspects.

Animation: Creating space through movement in 5v5
Mark out an area of about 30x35m and then place 9 small squares of 2 different colors within the area (see diagram for more details). Then form 2 teams of 5 players. If you have more than 10 players at practice, you can enlarge the area or create a second area for the additional players.

The exercise will proceed as follows: 
  1. The team in possession of the ball must keep the ball as long as possible while scoring points by making a pass into a square of the color of their team.
  2. The defending team must win back the ball by pressing the opposing team and minimizing passing angles.
  3. Once the ball is recovered, the roles reverse.
  4. It is important for players to position themselves well in space to constantly offer options to the ball carrier, while keeping an eye on the finishing squares.

Here are some variations you can implement during this exercise: 
  • Reverse the colors: the blues score in the yellow squares, and vice versa. This will add an additional cognitive aspect to this exercise.
  • A point is scored when a player crosses a square.
  • The central square earns double points.

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Gaps

Discover our gaps U11 drills

3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps

3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
3v3 game with a neutral player and two central supports to work on overlaps, the support play, and shooting on a stop-ball....
Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals

Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
This drill is ideal for working on passing to create width in order to connect the box-to-box midfielder with the player positioned behind the opposing line....
Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions

Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
Ball possession and transition work in a balanced rondo, where each team seeks to exploit the temporary overload during the possession phase....
Slalom, give-and-go and shooting

Slalom, give-and-go and shooting

15 min
12-20 joueurs
Technical
U11
Very dynamic exercise that will allow your players to work on the off-the-ball run and information gathering before playing a through ball....
Creating space through movement in 5v5

Creating space through movement in 5v5

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11
This exercise will help your players position themselves well in space to offer support to the ball carrier. Many variations are possible with additional cognitive aspects....
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Play in Space and Switches of Play

Play in Space and Switches of Play

15 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U11
With this exercise, your players can calmly practice switching sides and playing in space with or without the ball. The possibility of scoring in multiple goals also enhances concentration for defenders and creativity for attackers....

Other sub-theme U11 soccer drills

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  2. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
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U11 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

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U11 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
  2. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
  3. 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
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U11 Dribbling soccer drills

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  2. Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
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U11 Dribbling soccer drills

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U11 Duels soccer drills

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U11 Endurance soccer drills

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U11 Explosive strength soccer drills

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U11 Fun Game soccer drills

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U11 Motor skills soccer drills

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U11 Offensive combinations soccer drills

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U11 Overload soccer drills

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U11 Passes soccer drills

  1. Slalom, give-and-go and shooting
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  3. Tiki Taka: passing game with 2 central players
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U11 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Free Play: Positioning and Space Occupation
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U11 Possession soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
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U11 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Possession game with support at the 4 corners
  2. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
  3. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
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U11 Rondos soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
  2. Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering
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U11 Scanning soccer drills

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  2. Hunter game with perception and coordination work (youth academy)
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U11 Shooting soccer drills

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U11 Support soccer drills

  1. Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
  2. 1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support
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U11 Transition soccer drills

  1. Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
  2. 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
  3. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
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U11 Using width soccer drills

  1. Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals
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