gaps U16 soccer drills
gaps U16 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the gaps aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsPlaying between the lines and following up the action
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.
Discover our gaps U16 drills
Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
10 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U17
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
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - 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
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U15
Possession exercise emphasizing the importance of playing quickly forward with a 6v3 possession and constant defensive pressure....
Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U16
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....
Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - U17
This exercise used by Luis Enrique is ideal for working on communication and anticipation during a press. It is also very easy to set up!...
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The U16 category includes players aged 15-16 years. At this age, you will need to focus your U16 training sessions around different themes, such as athletic development, technical skill, and tactical knowledge.
We advise you to concentrate on the basic aspects when preparing your U16 exercises: movement, control-pass, and game awareness. These will be the foundation for your players for many years to come. Make sure to keep your U16 training sessions engaging, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
We advise you to concentrate on the basic aspects when preparing your U16 exercises: movement, control-pass, and game awareness. These will be the foundation for your players for many years to come. Make sure to keep your U16 training sessions engaging, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
20 min
18-22 joueurs
Tactical
U14 - 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....
José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
25 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U16
Used at Chelsea, this drill consists of a 3v3 possession game with two external zones. It will help your players work on passing angles and playing between the lines....
Offensive combinations with runs behind and double shooting
20 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U15 - U16
Used by Unai Emery at Arsenal (2018), this attacking circuit emphasizes timing and speed of execution....
Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
25 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U19
Taken from a training session of Bayern Munich (2013/2014), this exercise focuses on working on the defensive-attacking transition in the defensive third with the support of players....
4v4 game with 1 neutral player and shooting with a stop-ball
20 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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)
20 min
15-19 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U14
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
20 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - Seniors
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
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U12
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)
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - 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
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U14
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)
15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U15 - U14
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
15 min
4-12 joueurs
Technical
U16 - U14
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
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U20
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....
Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
8 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U19
Excellent exercise to train your players on defensive positioning and the team's zonal defense....
Build-up play: finding space between the lines
20 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - U18
Starting with a 7v7 on half a field, your players practice finding open space between the opponents and behind them to offer solutions during the build-up play. The focus is also on seeking to stretch the opposing team to open up spaces....
Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U16
Starting from a 7v7 on a half-field, your players practice finding open space between opponents and behind them to offer solutions during the build-up play....
Other sub-theme U16 soccer drills
U16 Agility soccer drills
- Passing Sequence with Directional Touches and Forward Play
- Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
- High-Intensity Pair Running Repetitions
U16 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
- Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
- Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
U16 Build-up play soccer drills
- Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
- Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
- Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
U16 Circuit soccer drills
- Drill: Dribbling and 1v1 Duels with Direct Opponent
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
- Practicing the diamond play with shooting on mini goals
U16 Cognitive soccer drills
- Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
- Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
- First touch and shooting within the box
U16 Counterattack soccer drills
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8
- Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
U16 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
- Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
U16 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- 2v1 with shooting and defender tracking back
- Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
- Defensive Block: Positioning in the Game and Tactical Principles
U16 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
- Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
- 6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition
U16 Dribbling soccer drills
- Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
- Athletic work in 30-15 with the ball on 4 stations
- Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
U16 Duels soccer drills
- Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
- 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
- Defensive work in pairs in a small area
U16 Endurance soccer drills
- Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape
- Aerobic Power Circuit (15–15–30) in Skill-Based Groups
- 4v4 with active recovery and transitions – attacking the width in small-sided play
U16 Explosive strength soccer drills
- High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
U16 Fun Game soccer drills
- Shooting practice on 3 consecutive phases of play
- Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
- Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
U16 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
- Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
- Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
U16 Overload soccer drills
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
- Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa
U16 Passes soccer drills
- One-touch short passing drill in a diamond formation
- Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
- Passing circuit on 6 cones with shooting on a full-size goal
U16 Positional play soccer drills
- Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
- M. Bielsa: Build-up play on the strong side with a switch of play to draw a defender and release
- 8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones
U16 Possession soccer drills
- 6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
U16 Pressing soccer drills
- Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1
- Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
U16 Rondos soccer drills
- 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
U16 Scanning soccer drills
- First touch and shooting within the box
- Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
- Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
U16 Shooting soccer drills
- 2v1 with shooting and defender tracking back
- Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting
- Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support in the final third
U16 Support soccer drills
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Warm-up: working on play with support
- Short passing game and direct play with support