possession U13 soccer drills

possession U13 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the possession 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 - U11
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....
Possession game with support at the 4 corners

Possession game with support at the 4 corners

15 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11 - U12
Ball retention exercise with a numerical advantage, seeking support in the corners to validate passing sequences....
4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team

4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U17
This drill, in the form of a small-sided 4v4 game with supporting players, will allow you to address concepts such as transition phases and focus upon losing possession....
4v4 Possession Game with Central Square

4v4 Possession Game with Central Square

15 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U11
Ideal exercise for youth soccer with a small-sided 4v4 game, a central neutral player, and a variation with 2 mini-goals to offer a coherent progression to your players....
4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones

4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones

15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U11 - U10
Positioning, reaction time, and quality of passes are on the agenda for this possession exercise, perfect for working on key skills in a fun format....
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What is the U13 category?


The U13 category represents children aged 12 to 13 years, and it is at this time that soccer concepts and training intensity increase a notch. At this age, children face significant physical changes, requiring training adaptation to support their growth, muscle development, and coordination improvement. Sessions must therefore be designed to meet these needs while continuing to develop their technical and tactical skills.

Objectives of the U13 category


The objectives for U13 expand to include not only technical development and coordination but also the integration of more complex and technical exercises. The focus will be more on developing game awareness both individually and collectively, decision-making in match situations, and improving more specific qualities like passing, shooting, set pieces or even dribbling.

Some tips for coaching a U13 team


For U13 players, it is advisable to avoid overly physical training and to favor activities that promote agility, endurance, and mastery of fundamental soccer qualities. Sessions should be simple yet dynamic, allowing players to improve through exercises that stimulate both their psychomotor development and tactical understanding. The integration of recovery periods is also essential to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth.

To summarize, here are our tips regarding your U13 training sessions: 
  1. Avoid "physical" training as you are used to practicing. Favor exercises for agility, endurance, and flexibility to promote psychomotor development.
  2. Conduct simple exercises for your players. Simplicity is crucial as it allows for better learning. It is your animation that will give rhythm to your U13 workshops, not the complexity of your training sessions.
  3. Remember to integrate recovery periods.

What training exercises for U13?


Exercises for U13 should include games and workshops that emphasize individual technique while integrating more advanced tactical elements. Small group play exercises, shooting sessions, and sessions focused on developing team strategy should be prioritized for your training. 

Here are some additional ideas to help you:
  • Possession game: In small groups to improve game awareness and maintaining possession.
  • Shooting workshops: With various scenarios to work on shooting under pressure, from different angles, with both strong and weak foot…
  • Quick transition exercises: Attack-defense exercises, and vice versa to develop reactivity and team strategy.
  • Dribbling sessions: With technical challenges to improve agility and control in match situations.
  • Small-sided games with specific conditions: For example, limiting the number of touches to encourage quick play and decision-making. Also consider implementing different tactics to teach players the importance of positioning and understanding what works best for your U13 team.

Other sub-theme U13 soccer drills

U13 Agility soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
  2. Motor skills and ball control to improve footwork and balance
  3. Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
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U13 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
  2. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
  3. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
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U13 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
  2. 4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders
  3. Switch of play using the central midfielder
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U13 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go
  2. Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
  3. Diamond drill: high-intensity give-and-go with groups of 5
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U13 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
  2. Ball control and triangle play in youth academy
  3. Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares
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U13 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
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U13 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
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U13 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
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U13 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
  2. Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
  3. 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)
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U13 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
  2. Ball control and triangle play in youth academy
  3. 4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
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U13 Duels soccer drills

  1. Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals
  2. Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 1)
  3. 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
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U13 Endurance soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
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U13 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. 1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
  2. 1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense
  3. Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
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U13 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling
  2. 4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
  3. Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares
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U13 Gaps soccer drills

  1. Creating space through movement in 5v5
  2. One-two pass drill against a diamond formation
  3. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
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U13 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing
  2. 1v1 and agility: support and change of direction
  3. Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
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U13 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. One-two pass combinations with 2 teams then shooting
  2. Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
  3. Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
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U13 Overload soccer drills

  1. Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
  2. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
  3. Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage
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U13 Passes soccer drills

  1. Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go
  2. Warm-up: Passing drills and 1v1 training
  3. One-two pass drill against a diamond formation
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U13 Positional play soccer drills

  1. 3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
  2. 7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks
  3. Dribble and immediate follow-up
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U13 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
  2. Compact defense with a back three in a reduced central area
  3. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
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U13 Rondos soccer drills

  1. 5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
  2. Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas
  3. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
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U13 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play
  2. Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
  3. Tiki Taka: passing game with 2 central players
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U13 Shooting soccer drills

  1. 1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
  2. First touch in the direction of play and double shooting
  3. 4v4 Numerical Equality Game and Shooting Situation
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U13 Support soccer drills

  1. Possession game with support at the 4 corners
  2. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
  3. Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
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U13 Transition soccer drills

  1. 2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)
  2. Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3
  3. Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
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U13 Using width soccer drills

  1. Warm-up: 2v2 positioning work
  2. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
  3. Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas
See all