This exercise is a variation of the famous "6 cones game" specific to Tiki Taka training. It is a passing circuit with 2 central players with numerous variations, ideal for soccer academies.
Place 4 cones to form a square of approximately 15m on each side, then place 2 cones in the center. Then place one player at each cone and duplicate the drill as many times as necessary depending on the number of players you have available.
The passing circuit will proceed as follows:
The 1st player (A) starts by playing a short pass to the 2nd player (B) located in the center.
The latter controls then plays to the opposite player (C).
C controls then makes another short pass to the 4th player (D).
D then plays back to the central player and the circuit continues.
Variation 1: perform the same circuit but without crossing the central players.
Variation without crossing the central players
Variation 2: remove one central player and perform the same circuit with a total of 5 players (instead of 6).
The U12 category corresponds to children aged 11-12 years. The advice we recommend for this category is generally the same as for the U13 category. Children at this age play on half of an 11-a-side soccer field. There are certain physical and physiological aspects to consider when setting up your U12 training sessions: your players are growing, their coordination is developing, and they are slowly starting to build muscle mass.
Preparing and structuring training sessions for a U12 team requires real organization. Between choosing exercises, the relationship with the players and the team, or even physical preparation, many elements need to be considered.
Despite their young age, a U12 player gradually begins to develop their playing style and a certain vision of soccer. To promote the growth and progression of each player, training sessions must be specifically adapted and structured. This is not always simple!
Here is a detailed sheet to help you organize your soccer training for your U12 teams.
The objectives of the U12 category in soccer
The U12 category represents a pivotal period in the life of a young soccer player, marking a unique period between a soccer practice oriented more as a leisure activity and the beginning of a more serious and competitive approach to the sport. Did you know? Many players from U12 onwards start to be scouted by numerous training centers!
It is at this age that the fundamentals acquired during the early years are consolidated, while introducing players to the first tactical concepts that require not only physical skill but also a slight strategic reflection. This is where, as a coach, your role is crucial. Awaken the competitive spirit, the personality of each player while maintaining the passion for the sport and a certain playful aspect to each training session.
Some tips for coaching a U12 team
Before going into more detail on the training exercises to offer your U12 players, it is important to remember some fundamental principles to better understand your preparation. In the context of training for U12 categories, certain objectives should be kept in mind, including:
The alternation of individual and team learning: knowing how to balance personal development and team play.
Improvement of technical gestures: Emphasize improving the most obvious technical skills for each player.
Teaching through play: Build sessions around fun games to develop techniques and principles of individual action.
Reinforcement of basic concepts: Focus on possession, ball progression, and exploiting spaces on the field.
Introduction to transition work: Start working on the changes between attack and defense, initial positioning, etc.
Do not focus your training sessions purely on the "physical" aspect as you may be used to hearing. Favor exercises of agility, endurance, and flexibility to promote psychomotor development.
Simplicity should be your watchword when preparing U12 training sessions. It is essential because it allows for better learning: it is then your animation that will give rhythm to your U12 drills, not the complexity of your training sessions.
Finally, do not forget to include recovery periods.
Similarly, your role as a coach will also be to develop for each player self-confidence, team spirit, discipline, and respect for rules and opponents, thus contributing to forming accomplished players capable of shining both on and off the field, even at this young age.
What training exercises for U12s?
Structuring training and choosing the right exercises for a U12 team is not an easy task. The objective? Direct most sessions and exercises towards improving their coordination, ball control, reactivity, and positioning, as well as the different phases of play (set pieces, direct shots…).
Through fun and interactive teaching methods, coaches must succeed in keeping young players motivated and passionate, which facilitates effective learning in a positive environment. The goal is also to strengthen their love for soccer and stimulate their creativity on the field.
To assist you as best as possible, here is a list of ideal exercises for U12 categories:
Passing exercises on the move: Encourage players to move while exchanging accurate passes to improve both their mobility and passing precision.
Possession games: Organize games where the objective is to maintain possession of the ball in small spaces, which helps develop quick decision-making and play under pressure.
Technical courses: Set up courses with cones to work on dribbling, changes of direction, and ball control.
Reduced match situations: Create mini-matches (5 vs 5 or 7 vs 7) to encourage team play and the application of basic tactical concepts in a match context.
Shooting exercises: Practice shots on goal from different positions to improve efficiency in front of the goal.
Oriented control and dribbling with the “escape from prison” drill: Add a fun element with an exercise that targets improving oriented controls and ball dribbling.
