gaps U15 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.

Categories

U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15

Sub-themes

Gaps

Discover our gaps U15 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
U15
3v3 game with a neutral player and two central supports to work on overlaps, the support play, and shooting on a stop-ball....
Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play

Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play

10 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U15
Dynamic layoff-support circuit where players combine quick passes, directional controls, and support runs before attacking the depth....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change

Possession game in 2 zones with role change

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
Forward play with possession in 6v3

Forward play with possession in 6v3

15 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Possession exercise emphasizing the importance of playing quickly forward with a 6v3 possession and constant defensive pressure....
One-two pass drill against a diamond formation

One-two pass drill against a diamond formation

15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U15
Speed of execution, work on passing and movement are key to this drill, which will require several repetitions to achieve a good rhythm....
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Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones

Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
This small-sided game, used by Vicente Del Bosque during a training session at Real Madrid, is ideal for working on smooth transitions in midfield and quickly getting into goal-scoring situations....
Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

20 min
18-22 joueurs
Tactical
U15
Exercise inspired by a training session of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, it will allow your players to work on their positioning in a 4-3-3 formation, while allowing the opposing team to practice a high press....
Creating space through movement in 5v5

Creating space through movement in 5v5

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
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....
Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting

Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting

20 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U15
Used by Unai Emery at Arsenal (2018), this attacking circuit emphasizes timing and speed of execution....
4v4 game with 1 neutral player and shooting with a stop-ball

4v4 game with 1 neutral player and shooting with a stop-ball

20 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
4v4 possession exercise with an attacking neutral player and 2 channels that allow for full use of width and work on field occupation, even in a reduced area....
3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)

3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)

20 min
15-19 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
This exercise involves a 6v6 match with 3 attacking jokers on a reduced field. It's ideal for working on movement and decision-making under opponent pressure....
Possession play and progressive switches of play

Possession play and progressive switches of play

20 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
This small-sided game with a numerical advantage and progression from zone to zone is ideal for youth teams and will help improve concentration while adding a competitive element....
Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage

Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Small-sided game ideal for your players to work on transitions in numerical advantage/disadvantage and implement your guidance independently....
Crosses and Heading with 2 Side Zones (variation)

Crosses and Heading with 2 Side Zones (variation)

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
By encouraging your players to focus on aerial play and facilitating crosses, this drill allows them to work on their aerial game (heading and volleying) while staying in match conditions....
Working on playing between the lines with a passing circuit

Working on playing between the lines with a passing circuit

15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U15
Ideal technical drill to grasp playing between the lines, it will enable your players to perform a technical circuit while staying constantly engaged in the game....
Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)

Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)

15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U15
Through a 3v3 drill with support, your players practice making through balls to the forward and following their pass to continue the play....
Playing between the lines and following up the action

Playing between the lines and following up the action

15 min
4-12 joueurs
Technical
U15
Through a 1v1 with 2 attackers providing support, your players practice making penetrating passes to the attacker and following the action. The attackers also practice layoffs....
Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking

Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking

20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U15
In a 7v7 on a half-field, you work with your defenders and central midfielders on collective zonal defensive positioning and the quick reformation of the defensive block....

Other sub-theme U15 soccer drills

U15 Agility soccer drills

  1. Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
  2. Specific forward training – runs, slalom, and double finishing
  3. Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
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U15 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
  2. Attacking transition: recovery and retention
  3. 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
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U15 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
  2. Possession play and progressive switches of play
  3. Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates
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U15 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
  2. Shooting practice with slalom and body feint
  3. Passing game work with a square of 6 players
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U15 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
  2. Layoff in one-touch play during a passing sequence
  3. 1v1 Duels with Mini Goals Following a Passing Sequence
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U15 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones
  2. Defensive interventions and quick attacks through the winger
  3. Attacking transition: recovery and retention
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U15 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
  2. Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
  3. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
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U15 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1
  2. 2v1 with shooting and defender tracking back
  3. Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
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U15 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
  2. 1v1 Duels with a double following a sequence of passes
  3. Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
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U15 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Athletic work in 30-15 with the ball on 4 stations
  2. Dynamic Warm-up with Passing, Slalom, and Dribbling
  3. Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot
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U15 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
  2. Movement off the ball, passes into space, and 1v1 duels
  3. Dribble and immediate follow-up
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U15 Duels soccer drills

  1. Speed Work and 1v1 Duels
  2. Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
  3. Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
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U15 Endurance soccer drills

  1. High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
  2. Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
  3. Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape
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U15 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
  2. Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
  3. 1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
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U15 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
  2. Warm-up: team ball possession
  3. 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
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U15 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Dynamic Warm-up with Passing, Slalom, and Dribbling
  2. Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
  3. Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot
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U15 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
  2. Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting
  3. Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
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U15 Overload soccer drills

  1. Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
  2. Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
  3. Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
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U15 Passes soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: team ball possession
  2. Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
  3. Working on playing between the lines with a passing circuit
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U15 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
  2. Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
  3. 5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
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U15 Possession soccer drills

  1. 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
  2. Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
  3. 6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
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U15 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
  2. Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
  3. Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
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U15 Rondos soccer drills

  1. 4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
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U15 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
  2. 4-player passing sequence with scanning
  3. Double square: combinations and sequences of short passing game
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U15 Shooting soccer drills

  1. Shot then defensive transition in 1v1
  2. Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
  3. Passing circuit on 6 cones with shooting on a full-size goal
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U15 Support soccer drills

  1. Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
  2. 3v3 Wing Play with Support
  3. Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
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U15 Transition soccer drills

  1. Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
  2. 6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
  3. Shot then defensive transition in 1v1
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U15 Using width soccer drills

  1. Using width in a double situation in 4v4
  2. Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage
  3. 4v4 with active recovery and transitions – attacking the width in small-sided play
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