possession U16 soccer drills

possession U16 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 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.

Animation: Possession play and switching against a low block
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: 
  1. The offensive players (here in blue) start with a possession game against the 4 defenders in the large area.
  2. After making at least 3 passes, they play to their teammate in the small area. No defender can press this player.
  3. The player will then make a through ball behind the defense to their teammate on the opposite side.
  4. This player finishes their action on the large goal.
  5. If the defenders regain possession, they must score as quickly as possible on one of the 2 mini-goals.
  6. 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).

Discover our possession U16 drills

5v2 possession game with dribbling exit

5v2 possession game with dribbling exit

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U19
Maintain possession in a rondo under pressure, then break out with dribbling after 10 passes to score in a mini-goal....
Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)

Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U14
Possession game where the objective is to connect one goalkeeper to the other by prioritizing the forward pass in a 4v4 with two goalkeepers in the side zones....
Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Working on ball possession under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coordinated pressing....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change

Possession game in 2 zones with role change

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - U17
Possession and organized pressing drill in two adjacent zones to work on transition and counter-pressing after losing the ball....
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The U16 category includes players aged 15-16 years. At this age, you will need to focus your U16 training sessions around different themes, such as athletic development, technical skill, and tactical knowledge.

We advise you to concentrate on the basic aspects when preparing your U16 exercises: movement, control-pass, and game awareness. These will be the foundation for your players for many years to come. Make sure to keep your U16 training sessions engaging, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
Possession play and switching against a low block

Possession play and switching against a low block

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U17
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....
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
U14 - U12
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....
6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition

6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition

20 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
U14 - U17
Exercise combining a 6v4 possession drill with transitions in various phases of attacking-defensive and defensive-attacking play. You can, of course, adjust the distances and the number of players based on the level of your group....
Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls

Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U16
Very dynamic exercise that will allow your players to work on positioning and movement in a small space in a 4v2. A specific feature: some periods will be played with 2 balls....
Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)

Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)

20 min
18-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U16
8v4 possession game with 6 support players that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition, as well as pressing upon losing the ball....
Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5

Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5

20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
Inspired by a session from José Mourinho at Real Madrid, this exercise focuses on working on the attacking-defensive transitions in the high area of the field. The intensity you demand from your players upon losing the ball will be key during this drill....
3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)

3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)

20 min
15-19 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U15
This exercise involves a 6v6 match with 3 attacking jokers on a reduced field. It's ideal for working on movement and decision-making under opponent pressure....
Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone

Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
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....
4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing

4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing

20 min
12-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
Classic possession game in 4v2 with a central river and quick attacking-defensive transitions....
Possession play and progressive switches of play

Possession play and progressive switches of play

20 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
This small-sided game with a numerical advantage and progression from zone to zone is ideal for youth teams and will help improve concentration while adding a competitive element....
Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U18
A relatively simple possession drill to set up, but with certain constraints that will allow your players to work on transition play and counter-pressing, initiated by Ralf Rangnick....
7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes

7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes

15 min
17-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U20
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

Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - U17
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

6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U16
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....

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