overload U17 soccer drills

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Possession play and switching against a low block

Used by Jurgen Klopp during a training session at Liverpool, this exercise is ideal for working on attacking combinations against a low block to effectively exploit off-the-ball runs behind the defense.

On a half-field, create a space of about 20x30m on the left side, as well as an adjacent 5x30m area, as indicated in the diagram. Then place 2 mini-goals and 4 mannequins (or constri-foot) with a cone about 35m from the goal on the right side. Then set up a 5vs4 in the large area, place 1 player in the small area, and then a final player on the opposite side at the cone level.

The exercise will proceed as follows:

The offensive players (here in blue) start with a possession game against the 4 defenders in the large area.
After making at least 3 passes, they play to their teammate in the small area. No defender can press this player.
The player will then make a through ball behind the defense to their teammate on the opposite side.
This player finishes their action on the large goal.
If the defenders regain possession, they must score as quickly as possible on one of the 2 mini-goals.
Change the 2 offensive players every 3 minutes or so.

Progression

After a few rounds, you can propose these different progressions:

A defender can press the player in the small area (only one).
Players are limited to 2 touches of the ball.
The player in the small area can participate in the possession game (which then creates a 6vs4).
Players must make at least 5 passes before playing to the player in the small area.
The game is played in the same way, but on the opposite side (remember to set up the cones before the start of the exercise).

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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.

overload U17 soccer drills

Possession play and switching against a low block

Progression

Discover our overload U17 drills

Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations

3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing

Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third

5v2 possession game with dribbling exit

Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage

Progress with our drills

What does the U17 category in soccer consist of?

Objectives with your U17 players

Some tips for coaching a U17 team

What training exercises for U17s?

Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

Possession game in 2 zones with role change

Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

Forward play with possession in 6v3

Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5

Possession play and switching against a low block

4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team

Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players

Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6

Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3

Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player

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

Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support

Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones

J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions

Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa

Decision Making and Shooting in 2v1 (+1) with Defensive Recovery

2v1 with shooting and defender tracking back

Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1

6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition

Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls

Quick Attacks Against a Team Defending in a Low Block (5v5)

Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1

Small-sided game in 5v5 by Luis Enrique (+ 1 neutral player)

Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)

Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels

Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)

Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2

Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery

Small group possession in 4 zones

Direct play with a double 4v1 and a central zone

1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing

4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing

3v3 with 4 supports and a central player

Possession play and progressive switches of play

1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

Double 2v1 following a passing combination

Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage

Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp

Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone

Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals

5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces

Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack

Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2

Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1

Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones

Offensive combination with short passing game, overlap, and shooting

"Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players

3v1 Exchange, Layoff and Shooting on Full-Size Goal (Variation)

3v1 Exchange, layoff and shooting on small goal

Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing

Warm-up: working on play with support

Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting

6v3 Game: Playing between the lines and reactive movement

Build-up and transition in 5v3

Defending with a Numerical Disadvantage

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