positional play Seniors soccer drills
positional play Seniors drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the positional play aspect. Sign up to receive our latest 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.
On a half-field, set up 4 gates as shown in the diagram and form 2 teams of 7 players, as well as 3 neutral players. Also, make sure to place balls all around the field to avoid wasting time in case of a ball out and maintain high intensity.
The game starts with a pass from the coach to the blue team. The blues must maintain possession with the help of the 3 neutral players while the 7 yellow players try to win it back. The goal for the blue team is to make a pass through one of the gates. However, they cannot pass through the same gate twice in a row.
When the yellows win the ball, it's their turn to perform a possession game to try to find a teammate through a gate.
Variation 1: you can require your players to make the pass through the gate with one touch. This will increase the intensity of the exercise and make the task slightly more difficult for your players.
Variation 2: you can also ask your players to dribble through the gates, specifying that only team players can score a point. The neutral players are only there for support.
Variation 2: passing through the gates
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Positional playDiscover our positional play Seniors drills
M. Bielsa: Build-up play on the strong side with a switch of play to draw a defender and release
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Ball circulation sequence working on build-up play under pressure on the strong side, followed by a quick switch of play to the weak side to finish in a mini-goal, inspired by a session proposed by Marcelo Bielsa....
Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
3v3 game with goalkeepers and two wide supports to create link-ups on the wide areas and find a situation for a give-and-go or a cross before shooting....
Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
20 min
15-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Positional play in 4 zones where the team in possession must maintain a 3v3 (+3 neutral players) and then switch of play to another zone after 8 to 10 passes....
6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
6v6 game with goalkeepers where teams must attack with width and skip the restricted zone to play a through ball....
6v3 Positional Play with Mini Goals
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Positional play where 6 players maintain possession against 3 pressing, with objectives of passing and quick transitions to mini-goals....
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Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
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....
Pep Guardiola's triple one-two pass with give-and-go and directional control
10 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
Seniors
Used by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, this drill, which can be included in warm-ups, focuses on three and four-player combinations with an emphasis on speed of execution....
Luis Enrique: possession play in 10v10 across 6 zones
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
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....
Shooting with diamond play from the German national team
20 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
Drill used during a training session of the German national team, it will allow you to work on several different combinations in front of the goal, with a focus on diamond play....
Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
20 min
20-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Small-sided game with a focus on possession work and an attacking transition, which forms the core of this exercise. Note that several variations are possible....
Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6
20 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
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
Seniors
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....
Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
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 from one zone to another with positional play in 5v5 (+ 2 central supports)
18 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Used by Unai Emery during a training session at Arsenal in 2018, this drill aims to work on positional play through a 5v5 possession game with 2 neutral players....
Rondo and Switch of Play in 4 Zones by Rafael Benitez
20 min
18-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Used by Rafael Benitez at Napoli, this drill will force your players to stay constantly engaged in the game and continuously offer solutions, thanks to the rule of a maximum of 4 passes....
Possession play and high press in 2 zones
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Used by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, this exercise is ideal for working on the high press on the field and quick transitions. Emphasize the importance of executing the press collectively....
7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
15 min
17-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
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....
Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
This drill is ideal for working on counterattacks in match situations. You can implement different variations to add rhythm to a session and offer a quality drill to your players (exercise used by Manchester City in April 2019)....
6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals
20 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
This possession drill focuses on three aspects: space management, passing quality, and speed of execution. With numerous variations, it is ideal for adding tempo to your session....
Positional play and movement in 9v7 on 3 goals
20 min
19-22 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Used in 2014 by Pep Guardiola during Bayern Munich's summer preparation, this exercise is ideal for training your players in the famous "positional play," as well as the importance of movement....
Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones
25 min
15-21 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Used by Guardiola at FC Barcelona (B team) in 2008, this possession exercise with a numerical advantage is perfect for training your players to utilize the advantage of numbers during an attacking phase....
Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
14 min
9-18 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
Excellent technical drill for defenders to work on speed of movement, agility, and coordination. Conducted by Bayern Munich during a training session in 2013....
Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones
30 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Still based on Positional Play, this exercise allows you to work with your players on quick recovery (gegenpressing) as well as switching play under pressure. A perfect mix!...
"Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
20 min
20-22 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
The "Juego de Posicion" popularized by Pep Guardiola is an important element of this game, ideal for a large number of players. Positioning will be crucial throughout the drill....
Possession with 3 teams and quick transition play
15 min
15-18 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
An ideal exercise to work on ball possession and quick transitions while adopting the mindset of "Positional Play" and can be performed just as well in pre-season as during the year. Emphasize the intensity of the transitions!...
"Juego de Posición" in possession 3v3 + 2 at high intensity
12 min
8-24 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
A typical game of "Positional Play" popularized by Pep Guardiola, which will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition while consistently maintaining a high level of intensity....
Effectively utilizing the spaces between the lines
18 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
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....
"Positional play" in 4v4 + 3 neutral players
20 min
11-12 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Inspired by Pep Guardiola's famous "Juego de Posición," this drill is perfect for working on your players' positioning and their relationship with space....
Speed of play and quickness in 6v6 with support
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
Through a 6v6 with support players, this drill works on both the quickness of your players and ball control in high-speed play....
Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
8 min
16-20 joueurs
Warm-up
Seniors
Ideal exercise to improve your players' group positioning....
Build-up play: finding space between the lines
20 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
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
Seniors
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 of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
With this exercise, your forwards work on positioning between the lines to provide options in build-up play and attack construction. They also practice shooting....
Switch of play and defensive positioning game
20 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Exercise focusing on training your players on switches of play and positional play in defense. It also allows the coach to emphasize either attack or defense according to their requirements....
Possession game with 3 teams and river
20 min
12-15 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Ideal possession exercise to work on passing speed and game awareness on a defined area. Remind your players of the importance of communication during this possession drill....
Other sub-theme Seniors soccer drills
Seniors Agility soccer drills
- Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
- Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
- Pep Guardiola's technical circuit with shooting and speed drill
Seniors Attacking transition soccer drills
- Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking
- Attacking transition and game awareness
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
Seniors Build-up play soccer drills
- 3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
- Transition from one zone to another with positional play in 5v5 (+ 2 central supports)
- Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square
Seniors Circuit soccer drills
- Passing Circuit by J. Klopp with Support and One-touch Play
- Marcelo Bielsa: working on build-up play against a high press
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
Seniors Cognitive soccer drills
- Information gathering, ball control, and passing in groups of 3
- Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1
- Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
Seniors Counterattack soccer drills
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
- Defensive-attacking transition: switch of play with possession in 2 areas
Seniors Counter-pressing soccer drills
- Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation
- Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid
- Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game
Seniors Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- 1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1
- Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
- Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp
Seniors Defensive transition soccer drills
- 9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones
- Warm-up with a small-sided game focused on counter-pressing
- Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)
Seniors Dribbling soccer drills
- Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit
- Fast ball dribbling athletic drill
- One-touch short passing drill in a diamond formation
Seniors Dribbling soccer drills
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
Seniors Duels soccer drills
- 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
- Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
- 1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1
Seniors Endurance soccer drills
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
- Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
- 6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width
Seniors Explosive strength soccer drills
- Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
- Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
Seniors Fun Game soccer drills
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
- Double 2v2 and Shooting on Full-Size Goal
- Agility and information gathering by color and by team
Seniors Gaps soccer drills
- Positioning and movement to find space between the lines
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
- Working on build-up play with Marcelo Bielsa against 2 forwards
Seniors Motor skills soccer drills
- Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
Seniors Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Offensive "Y" Combination with Support Play and Shooting
- Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
- Build-up and transition in 5v3
Seniors Overload soccer drills
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
- J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions
- 6v3 Game: Playing between the lines and reactive movement
Seniors Passes soccer drills
- Getting Open and Combinations in Front of Goal
- Athletic work in groups of 3 with the ball
- The double passing sequence of F. Lampard
Seniors Possession soccer drills
- Jurgen Klopp's possession play with use of the weak side
- Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
- Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
Seniors Pressing soccer drills
- Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter
- Build-up and transition in 5v3
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
Seniors Rondos soccer drills
- Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
- Short passing game and direct play with support
- Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
Seniors Scanning soccer drills
- Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting
- Rondo and Switch of Play in 4 Zones by Rafael Benitez
- Rafael Benitez Passing Circuit with give and go, opening, and direct play
Seniors Shooting soccer drills
- Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles
- Back pass and 2v2 at the edge of the penalty area
- The arena: protecting your goal with defensive duels work
Seniors Support soccer drills
- 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
- Warm-up: working on play with support
- 3v3: shooting with outside support and delayed runs
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