gaps U18 soccer drills
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Access more drillsAttacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone
Possession drill that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with the possibility of implementing multiple variations.
Mark out an initial space of 30x25m approximately, then place a second central zone of 20x15m inside this rectangle. Form a team of 5 players that you will place in the central zone, and a team of 7 players with 3 players in the central zone and the remaining 4 players in the large zone.
The exercise begins with a 5vs3 possession game inside the central zone. The objective for the players with a numerical advantage is to make 10 consecutive passes without losing the ball. If the opposing team regains the ball, their objective is to find the outside players to create a 7vs5 in the large zone.
When the team of 5 players regains possession, they must play again in the central zone to resume the 5vs3 possession game inside the central zone.
You can work in sessions of 4 to 5 minutes with team rotations.
You can work in sessions of 4 to 5 minutes with team rotations.
Variation: set up 2 small goals and organize a 4vs4 in the small zone, as well as 2 players from each team in the wide zone. The objective is then to make 5 consecutive passes in the central zone before finding a teammate outside to finish on the small goals with one-touch play.
Variation: shooting on small goals
Discover our gaps U18 drills
3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones
15 min
12-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Three-team transition game where two players press the team in possession within a zone, and roles rotate continuously....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change
15 min
14-18 joueurs
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Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U20
This drill, used during a training session at Manchester City, is ideal for working on a specific offensive combination with playing between the lines through a passing circuit....
Working on build-up play with Marcelo Bielsa against 2 forwards
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U20
Suggested by Marcelo Bielsa to his players, this drill is ideal for working on build-up play against 2 attackers, particularly focusing on build-up play....
Luis Enrique: possession play in 10v10 across 6 zones
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U18
Used by Luis Enrique with the Spanish national team, this possession game takes place in 6 zones and will allow your players to work on passing combinations and creating spaces for playing between the lines....
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The U18 category includes players aged 17-18 years.
Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U19
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!...
Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6
20 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
Excellent exercise proposed by Luis Enrique during his time at AS Roma, with this 6v6 small-sided game on 3 mini goals, which allows for addressing different themes such as the use of width or playing between the lines....
Passes between the lines with 2 final third zones in 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U18
Used by R. Benitez during a training session in Naples, this drill will help you work on two essential aspects: finding the gap for the team in possession of the ball, and effectively blocking passing lanes for the defending team....
José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
25 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
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....
Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U20
Used by Luis Enrique during a training session at FC Barcelona in 2015, this drill, which places your players in a situation across 3 zones, will allow you to work on finding the free player and playing between the lines....
Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
25 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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....
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....
Direct play with a double 4v1 and a central zone
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - Seniors
4v1 possession drill with a focus on direct play, while under pressure from a defender. A high-paced session to be introduced after a thorough warm-up!...
Possession play and progressive switches of play
20 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
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....
Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone
20 min
12-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Possession drill that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with the possibility of implementing multiple variations....
Effectively utilizing the spaces between the lines
18 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U18
This drill is perfect for learning how to exploit spaces between the opposing lines. It was designed to find the free player between the lines and in the space available created by the gap between the defense and the midfield....
Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - U17
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
U17 - U16
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
Seniors - U19
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
U19 - U17
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....
Positioning and movement to find space between the lines
20 min
6-8 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U19
Through the build-up play of a set attack without a shot on goal, your players work on positioning and movement to find open space between the opposing lines and offer solutions to the ball carrier....
Collective play in deflection: movement and availability
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Technical
Seniors - U19
Through a 4v4 passing game with the possibility of support, your players work on layoff play and following their movements to remain available. They also practice keeping their heads up and gathering information....
Other sub-theme U18 soccer drills
U18 Agility soccer drills
- Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
- Pep Guardiola's off-the-ball agility with speed and coordination work
- The 4 Colors of Unai Emery: Quickness and Reaction Time
U18 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Pep Guardiola's Transition Work in a 5v5 Across 3 Zones
- Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
- Defensive-attacking transition: switch of play with possession in 2 areas
U18 Build-up play soccer drills
- Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones
- 6v6 (+2) possession game with play through the central zone
- Pep Guardiola's Transition Work in a 5v5 Across 3 Zones
U18 Circuit soccer drills
- Luis Enrique: High-Intensity Passing Sequence
- Diamond play with passing combinations
- Combinations with a one-touch play circuit and supporting player
U18 Cognitive soccer drills
- Agility in 1v1 with ball and colored signals
- Agility and information gathering by color and by team
- Possession and Recovery in 2v2
U18 Counterattack soccer drills
- High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals
- Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone
- Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
U18 Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
- Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid
- 9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones
U18 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- 1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1
- Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
- Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
U18 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
- José Mourinho's Counter-pressing Upon Losing Possession in 4v4 (+4)
- Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier
U18 Dribbling soccer drills
- J. Klopp: agility and reaction time training with the ball
- Pep Guardiola's triple one-two pass with give-and-go and directional control
- Warm-up with the ball, dribbling, and slalom
U18 Endurance soccer drills
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
- Athletic work with the "1 to 4" then "4 to 1" pyramid
- Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
U18 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Alternating small-sided games and intermittent training
- Curved interval training with footwork on a 20-20
- Agility and Shooting in a 2v2 Matchup
U18 Fun Game soccer drills
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
- Agility and information gathering by color and by team
- Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
U18 Motor skills soccer drills
- Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
U18 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Build-up play: finding space between the lines
- Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting
- Circuit with offensive combinations in groups of 4
U18 Overload soccer drills
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- Small group possession in 4 zones
- 3v1 Exchange, layoff and shooting on small goal
U18 Passes soccer drills
- Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit
- Passing Square and Quick Combinations
- Short possession with switch of play and support sprints
U18 Positional play soccer drills
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
- "Juego de Posición" in possession 3v3 + 2 at high intensity
- Diamond play with passing combinations
U18 Possession soccer drills
- Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
- 3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
U18 Pressing soccer drills
- Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side
- Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
U18 Rondos soccer drills
- Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure
- Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
- "Juego de Posición" in possession 3v3 + 2 at high intensity
U18 Scanning soccer drills
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
- Information gathering, ball control, and passing in groups of 3
- Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
U18 Shooting soccer drills
- Tactical drill by Diego Simeone with defensive transition to attacking Transition work
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Specific Forwards: Shooting Around the Edge of the Box
U18 Support soccer drills
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Short passing game and direct play with support
- 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players