pressing U17 soccer drills

pressing U17 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the pressing aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2

Excellent exercise for working on build-up play when your center backs are under pressure. It will also allow your players to work on their automatic movements when executing a switch of play during a restart.

Animation: Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2
On a half field, place 2 mini-goals on the halfway line as well as 2 zones of 5x5m about 10m from the halfway line (see animation). Then set up 5 cones to form a 2-1-2 system with 2 central defenders, 1 defensive midfielder, and 2 attacking midfielders. Then place 2 players at each cone.

The exercise proceeds as follows:
  1. The left center back starts with a back pass to their goalkeeper, who will then play to the opposite side to the 1st central defender.
  2. This player controls, then plays to the central attacking midfielder who will call for the ball by dropping back.
  3. He/she will then play a one-touch pass to the central defensive midfielder. This player will perform an oriented control before playing to the opposite side.
  4. The 1st player will then call for the ball a step higher in the 5x5m square zone before finishing on the mini-goal.
  5. The exercise restarts on the opposite side in the same manner.

Exercise used by Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, it is ideal for working on build-up play when your central defenders are under pressure. It requires a 2-1-2 setup but can easily adapt to different playing systems. This soccer build-up exercise allows your players to position themselves better during build-up play, while feeling an opposing presence, which will make them more effective in match situations. As a reminder, build-up play in soccer consists of a sequence of passes and movements allowing you to get out of a situation often under pressure in the lower area of the field, in order to find yourself in an offensive position in the mid (or high) zone.

Discover our pressing U17 drills

Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play

Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play

U17 Seniors U20 U19 U18

Positional play in 4 zones where the team in possession must maintain a 3v3 (+3 neutral players) and then switch of play to anothe...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

15-21
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support point in the final third

Build-up in 3v3 and finding the support point in the final third

U15 U17 U16 U14

3v3 midfield build-up exercise with the requirement to find a target forward in the final third before being able to finish....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-14
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work

Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work

U18 Seniors U20 U19 U17

Quick possession game in 3v1 where the reds must finish in a mini-goal before the central player touches the mannequin....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

10 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

4-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

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

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

U15 U17 U16 U14

Possession game where the objective is to connect one goalkeeper to the other by prioritizing the forward pass in a 4v4 with two g...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

10-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

U18 Seniors U20 U19 U17

Three-zone possession exercise to work on reactions to transitions, the disadvantage on the weak side, and movements preparing for...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
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Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

U17 Seniors U20 U19 U18 U16

Working on ball retention under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coord...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-24
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Possession game in 2 zones with role change

Possession game in 2 zones with role change

U15 Seniors U20 U19 U18 U17 U16 U14

Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

14-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

U18 Seniors U20 U19 U17 U16 U15 U14

Possession and organized pressing drill in two adjacent zones to work on transition and counter-pressing after losing the ball....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

10-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player

Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player

U16 Seniors U20 U19 U18 U17

This exercise used by Luis Enrique is ideal for working on communication and anticipation during a press. It is also very easy to ...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

10-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

U15 U17 U16 U14

Exercise inspired by a training session of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, it will allow your players to work on their positioning in a...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

18-22
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
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José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines

José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines

U16 Seniors U20 U19 U18 U17

Used at Chelsea, this drill consists of a 3v3 possession game with two external zones. It will help your players work on passing a...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

25 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

14-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Marcelo Bielsa: working on build-up play against a high press

Marcelo Bielsa: working on build-up play against a high press

U17 Seniors U20 U19 U18

Excellent double circuit used by Marcelo Bielsa, which is ideal for working on build-up play against a high press....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls

Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls

U15 U17 U16 U14

Very dynamic exercise that will allow your players to work on positioning and movement in a small space in a 4v2. A specific featu...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Finding the free player in a 3v1 situation by Marcelo Bielsa

Finding the free player in a 3v1 situation by Marcelo Bielsa

U18 Seniors U19 U17

Inspired by an exercise used by Marcelo Bielsa, this drill will allow you to take advantage of a 3v1 situation in the wide areas....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

18 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

4-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2

Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2

U15 U17 U16 U14

Excellent exercise for working on build-up play when your center backs are under pressure. It will also allow your players to work...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

6-14
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
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José Mourinho's Counter-pressing Upon Losing Possession in 4v4 (+4)

José Mourinho's Counter-pressing Upon Losing Possession in 4v4 (+4)

U19 U17 Seniors U18

Exercise used by José Mourinho at Real Madrid, it will allow you to work on counter-pressing in an 8v4 situation with 4 support pl...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Possession game and defensive-attacking transition in a 6v6 (+ 2)

Possession game and defensive-attacking transition in a 6v6 (+ 2)

U19 U17 U18 Seniors

Exercise to work on spacing during the defensive-offensive transition in the attacking third, with this 6v6 possession game includ...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

14-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

Seniors U19 U20 U18 U17

In this 3v2 (and 3v3 with pressing), your players will be able to work on coordinated press as well as transition play when losing...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

11-15
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

U18 U20 Seniors U19 U17

This exercise on 3 zones by Diego Simeone, used at Atlético Madrid during the 2013/2014 season, is ideal for working on the defens...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

18 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

18-22
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

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

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

U15 U19 U18 U17 U16 U14

This exercise involves a 6v6 match with 3 attacking jokers on a reduced field. It's ideal for working on movement and decision-mak...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

15-19
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
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Small group possession in 4 zones

Small group possession in 4 zones

U18 U20 Seniors U19 U17

4v2 possession exercise with switch of play and attacking-defensive transition that will require a lot of focus and intensity....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone

Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone

U15 U17 U16 U14

Small-sided game with 3 teams of 4 players and a central zone ("river") to work on positioning and movement in tight spaces....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing

4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing

U16 U14 U15 U17

Classic possession game in 4v2 with a central river and quick attacking-defensive transitions....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-15
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Possession game in 4v2 with quick transitions and pressing

Possession game in 4v2 with quick transitions and pressing

U18 U17 Seniors U19

Very dynamic exercise in the form of 2 possession games in 4v2 with focus on pressing in tight spaces. Ideal for gradually increas...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-24
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

U18 U17 U19 Seniors U20

Great exercise to train your players in quick attacks following a high press. Offered at Tottenham, it's an ideal small-sided game...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

14-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
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Possession play and high press in 2 zones

Possession play and high press in 2 zones

U20 U18 U19 Seniors U17

Used by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, this exercise is ideal for working on the high press on the field and quick transitions....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

U16 U19 U18 U17 U20 Seniors

A relatively simple possession exercise to set up, but with certain constraints that will allow your players to work on transition...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-24
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1

Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1

U14 U17 U16 U15

Numerous variations are possible for this counterattack exercise. Your players will work on reactivity, movement, and concentratio...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-24
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Small-sided games
Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones

Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones

U20 Seniors U19 U18 U17

Still based on Positional Play, this exercise allows you to work with your players on quick recovery (gegenpressing) as well as sw...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

30 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

16-20
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement

Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement

U16 U14 U17 U13 U15 U12

Long passing drill ideal for training your players to find the right passing angle, improve the accuracy of long balls, and work o...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-12
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
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Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation

Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation

U18 U19 U17 U20 Seniors

Through a drill with a single goal in the middle of the field, your players work on defensive-to-attacking transitions: pressing a...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing

Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing

Seniors U20 U17 U18 U19

By creating a numerical advantage situation for the attackers in a small space, your players work on both game awareness, ball mov...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

U19 U17 U16 U20 U18 Seniors

In an 8v8 setup with one team playing without a goalkeeper, your players practice counterattacking and pressing with a numerical a...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

16-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter

Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter

U18 U16 U20 Seniors U19 U17

Ideal exercise for practicing pressing and playing under pressure, as well as triggering a counterattack upon ball recovery....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

15 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

12-18
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Warm-up
Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting

Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting

U19 U17 Seniors U20 U18 U16

With this exercise, your forwards work on positioning between the lines to provide options in build-up play and attack constructio...

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

20 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

14-16
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

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Build-up and transition in 5v3

Build-up and transition in 5v3

U19 U17 U20 Seniors U18

By creating an imbalance with this 5v3, you allow your players to calmly work on the attacking-defensive transition....

Durée de l'exercice

Durée

12 min
Nombre de joueurs

Joueurs

8-10
Thème de l'exercice

Thème

Tactics
Exercices Premium - Entrainement Foot

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