positional play U12 soccer drills

positional play U12 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the positional play aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates

Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates

15 min
15-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
Two teams each maintain possession in their own half and look to penetrate through one of the gates to switch of play, under pressure from a third team....
7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks

7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks

20 min
14-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
Small-sided game in 7v7 with two wide areas dedicated to 1v1 before a cross and shooting in the box....
Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play

Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play

15 min
7-19 joueurs
Warm-up
U12
This drill, structured as a passing sequence with a double triangle, is perfect for working on alternating between short passing game and direct play. The team chemistry will be on point!...
3v3 (+4) with support players and position change

3v3 (+4) with support players and position change

18 min
14-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
This 3v3 with 4 support players is ideal for working on communication, game awareness, and decision-making. Under pressure in the central zone, your players will need to lift their heads and find support before they can finish on 4 mini goals....
5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"

5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"

20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
This 5v5 small-sided game with 4 neutral players will allow your players to progressively take control of the field by "unlocking" the neutral players one by one....
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Combining offensively using a pivot in 5v5

Combining offensively using a pivot in 5v5

20 min
10-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12
Possession drill that will allow your players to work on offensive combinations using a central player who will act as a pivot....
Dribble and immediate follow-up

Dribble and immediate follow-up

20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U12
Ideal drill for getting your players to work on their sequence after the dribble. They practice lifting their heads and gathering information after the dribble and quickly releasing the ball....
Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance

Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance

15 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U12
By having the defense work on zonal marking starting from a 6v6, your players improve on various tactical concepts: getting open, defensive cover, and balance to prevent the through ball....
Collective ball retention through the short passing game

Collective ball retention through the short passing game

20 min
8-10 joueurs
Tactical
U12
By working on collective ball retention using short passing game, your players get used to moving the ball and building up play calmly....
Free Play: Positioning and Space Occupation

Free Play: Positioning and Space Occupation

20 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U12
Free play on half-field to put players in match situations: allows for working on positioning, movement, and emphasizes the importance of keeping your head up....

Other sub-theme U12 soccer drills

U12 Agility soccer drills

  1. Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
  2. Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
  3. Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
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U12 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
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U12 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. 4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders
  2. Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
  3. Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
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U12 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Diamond drill: high-intensity give-and-go with groups of 5
  2. Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go
  3. Switch of play using the central midfielder
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U12 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. 1v1 Distance Duels on Mini Goals
  2. 3 ways to score in a reduced 3v3v3 game
  3. Ball control and triangle play in youth academy
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U12 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
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U12 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
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U12 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. 1v1 Duels and Defensive Positioning
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
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U12 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
  2. 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
  3. Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
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U12 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go
  2. Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
  3. Ball control and triangle play in youth academy
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U12 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Give-and-go, dribble, and shooting from different angles
  2. Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel
  3. Passing circle: ball control, dribble, pass and follow
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U12 Duels soccer drills

  1. Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 2)
  2. Finishing After a 1v1 with a Through Ball Using Different Trajectories
  3. 4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders
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U12 Endurance soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
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U12 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
  2. 1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense
  3. 1v1 and agility: support and change of direction
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U12 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares
  2. Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
  3. Double sequence of passes in hourglass and diamond formation
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U12 Gaps soccer drills

  1. One-two pass drill against a diamond formation
  2. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  3. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
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U12 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
  2. Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
  3. Drop-off and ball control
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U12 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
  2. Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
  3. One-two pass combinations with 2 teams then shooting
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U12 Overload soccer drills

  1. Small-sided 2v2 games in 3 "drawer" zones
  2. Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals
  3. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
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U12 Passes soccer drills

  1. 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
  2. Diamond drill: high-intensity give-and-go with groups of 5
  3. Pass into the run and shooting work
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U12 Possession soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
  2. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
  3. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
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U12 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
  2. Compact defense with a back three in a reduced central area
  3. Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
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U12 Rondos soccer drills

  1. 5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
  2. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
  3. Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering
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U12 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Tiki Taka: passing game with 2 central players
  2. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
  3. Possession game with support at the 4 corners
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U12 Shooting soccer drills

  1. Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
  2. 1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense
  3. Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
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U12 Support soccer drills

  1. Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas
  2. Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
  3. Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
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U12 Transition soccer drills

  1. 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)
  2. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
  3. Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
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U12 Using width soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: 2v2 positioning work
  2. 7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks
  3. Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas
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