positional play soccer drills
Positional play: complete drills that you can apply to help your team progress in the best conditions. Sign up to access all Positional play drills.
Access more drills7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
Used by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in February 2019, this possession game is ideal for working on the positioning and movement of your players.
Our drills on the positional play theme
Mr. Bielsa: Build-up play on the strong side with a switch of play to draw a defender and release
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Ball circulation sequence working on build-up play under pressure on the strong side, followed by a quick switch of play to the we...
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Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
U10 U11 U12 U13
Two teams each maintain possession in their own half and look to penetrate through one of the gates to switch of play, under press...
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Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
3v3 game with goalkeepers and two wide supports to create link-ups on the flanks and find a situation for a give-and-go or a cross...
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Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Positional play in 4 zones where the team in possession must maintain a 3v3 (+3 neutral players) and then switch of play to anothe...
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6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
6v6 game with goalkeepers where teams must attack with width and skip the restricted zone to play a through ball....
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It can be said that it's an idea, an identity, a style, a way of seeing and understanding the game. For many, it reflects a way of playing as well as the behavior of a team in competition. Thanks to positional play, you will have the opportunity to create numerical advantages, based on the positioning of your players on the field, especially when you are in possession of the ball. The ultimate goal is to dominate the opponent's defense spatially.
Here are some important concepts to master positional play:
- Look for the pass into nearby spaces to then play a long pass to a free player, which is generally called "draw to free up".
- Passes must produce “something”, the idea is not to pass just for the sake of passing.
- You need to know when to continue dribbling (to draw a defender, for example) and when to release the ball.
“You will not score if you do not make your opponent come out”
Pep Guardiola
We invite you to consult our complete guide on positional play to learn more.
6v3 Positional Play with Mini Goals
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Positional play where 6 players maintain possession against 3 pressing, with objectives of passing and quick transitions to mini-g...
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Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
U14 U15 U16 U17
Dynamic layoff-support circuit where players combine quick passes, directional controls, and support runs before attacking the dep...
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8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones
U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19
Build-up play and connection between wide players and forwards in an 8v8 structured into five zones....
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7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks
U10 U11 U12 U13
Small-sided game in 7v7 with two wide areas dedicated to 1v1 before a cross and shooting in the box....
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Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
This drill, used during a training session at Manchester City, is ideal for working on a specific offensive combination with playi...
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Practicing the diamond play with shooting on mini goals
U14 U15 U16 U17
Small passing drill with shooting on mini goals, ideal for working on automatisms and getting your players accustomed to triangle ...
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Diamond play with passing combinations
U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19
Simple exercise to set up but allows working on the diamond shape from different angles and through various combinations. This is ...
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Pep Guardiola's triple one-two pass with give-and-go and directional control
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, this drill, which can be included in warm-ups, focuses on three and four-player combinat...
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Luis Enrique: possession play in 10v10 across 6 zones
U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Luis Enrique with the Spanish national team, this possession game takes place in 6 zones and will allow your players to wo...
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Shooting with diamond play from the German national team
U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Exercise used during a training session of the German national team, it will allow you to work on several different combinations i...
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Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Small-sided game with a focus on possession work and an attacking transition, which forms the core of this exercise. Note that sev...
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Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Excellent exercise proposed by Luis Enrique during his time at AS Roma, with this 6v6 small-sided game on 3 mini goals, which allo...
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Passes between the lines with 2 final third zones in 5v5
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by R. Benitez during a training session in Naples, this drill will help you work on two essential aspects: finding the gap fo...
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Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Luis Enrique during a training session at FC Barcelona in 2015, this drill, which places your players in a situation acros...
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Transition from one zone to another with positional play in 5v5 (+ 2 central supports)
U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Unai Emery during a training session at Arsenal in 2018, this drill aims to work on positional play through a 5v5 possessi...
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Joueurs
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Progressez grâce à nos exercices
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Rondo and Switch of Play in 4 Zones by Rafael Benitez
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Rafael Benitez at Napoli, this drill will force your players to stay constantly engaged in the game and continuously offer...
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Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play
U10 U11 U12 U13
This drill, structured as a passing sequence with a double triangle, is perfect for working on alternating between short passing g...
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3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
U10 U11 U12 U13
This 3v3 with 4 support players is ideal for working on communication, game awareness, and decision-making. Under pressure in the ...
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3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)
U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19
This exercise involves a 6v6 match with 3 attacking jokers on a reduced field. It's ideal for working on movement and decision-mak...
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Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone
U14 U15 U16 U17
Small-sided game with 3 teams of 4 players and a central zone ("river") to work on positioning and movement in tight spaces....
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Progressez grâce à nos exercices
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5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15
This 5v5 small-sided game with 4 neutral players will allow your players to progressively take control of the field by "unlocking"...
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Possession play and high press in 2 zones
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, this exercise is ideal for working on the high press on the field and quick transitions....
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Combining offensively using a pivot in 5v5
U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17
Possession exercise that will allow your players to work on offensive combinations using a central player who will act as a pivot....
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7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in February 2019, this possession game is ideal for working on the positioning and moveme...
Durée
Joueurs
Thème
Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
This exercise is ideal for working on counterattacks in match situations. You can implement different variations to add rhythm to ...
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Joueurs
Thème
Progressez grâce à nos exercices
Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.
6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
This possession drill focuses on three aspects: space management, passing quality, and speed of execution. With numerous variation...
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Positional play and movement in 9v7 on 3 goals
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used in 2014 by Pep Guardiola during Bayern Munich's summer preparation, this exercise is ideal for training your players in the f...
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Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Used by Guardiola at FC Barcelona (B team) in 2008, this possession exercise with a numerical advantage is perfect for training yo...
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Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Excellent technical workshop for defenders to work on speed of movement, agility, and coordination. Conducted by Bayern Munich dur...
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Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Still based on Positional Play, this exercise allows you to work with your players on quick recovery (gegenpressing) as well as sw...
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Joueurs
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Progressez grâce à nos exercices
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"Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
The "Juego de Posicion" popularized by Pep Guardiola is an important element of this game, ideal for a large number of players. Po...
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Possession with 3 teams and quick transition play
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
An ideal exercise to work on ball possession and quick transitions while adopting the mindset of "Positional Play" and can be perf...
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"Juego de Posición" in possession 3v3 + 2 at high intensity
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
A typical game of "Positional Play" popularized by Pep Guardiola, which will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive...
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Effectively utilizing the spaces between the lines
U17 U18 U19 Seniors
This drill is perfect for learning how to exploit spaces between the opposing lines. It was designed to find the free player betwe...
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"Positional play" in 4v4 + 3 neutral players
U17 U18 U19 Seniors
Inspired by Pep Guardiola's famous "Juego de Posición," this drill is perfect for working on your players' positioning and their r...
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Joueurs
Thème
Progressez grâce à nos exercices
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Dribble and immediate follow-up
U12 U13 U14 U15
Ideal exercise for getting your players to work on their sequence after the dribble. They practice lifting their heads and gatheri...
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Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17
By having the defense work on zonal marking starting from a 6v6, your players improve on various tactical concepts: getting open, ...
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Speed of play and quickness in 6v6 with support
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Through a 6v6 with support players, this drill works on both the quickness of your players and ball control in high-speed play....
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Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Ideal exercise to improve your players' group positioning....
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Build-up play: finding space between the lines
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Starting with a 7v7 on half a field, your players practice finding open space between the opponents and behind them to offer solut...
Durée
Joueurs
Thème
Progressez grâce à nos exercices
Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.
Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Starting from a 7v7 on a half-field, your players practice finding open space between opponents and behind them to offer solutions...
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Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
With this exercise, your forwards work on positioning between the lines to provide options in build-up play and attack constructio...
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Switch of play and defensive positioning game
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Exercise focusing on training your players on switches of play and positional play in defense. It also allows the coach to emphasi...
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Collective ball retention through the short passing game
U11 U12 U13 U14 U15
By working on collective ball retention using short passing game, your players get used to moving the ball and building up play ca...
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Free Play: Positioning and Space Occupation
U10 U11 U12 U13
Free play on half-field to put players in match situations: allows for working on positioning, movement, and emphasizes the import...
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Joueurs
Thème
Progressez grâce à nos exercices
Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.
Possession game with 3 teams and river
U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors
Ideal possession exercise to work on passing speed and game awareness on a defined area. Remind your players of the importance of ...
Durée
Joueurs
Thème
Progressez grâce à nos exercices
Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.