support soccer drills
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Access more drills3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
This 3v3 small-sided game with 4 corner support players will help you work on combinations in tight spaces. Remember to regularly rotate the support players.
Using 4 cones, create a 20x20m area then form 2 teams of 3 players and one team of 4 players (see animation). Place one player from each team in the center of the field, then ask the others to spread out on each side. Next, place the 4 players from the last team at each corner of the playing area.
The exercise proceeds as follows:
- The 3-player teams must keep the ball as long as possible but only score a point when the central player touches the ball.
- The corner players serve as support for the team in the offensive position.
- The corner players as well as the support players are only allowed one touch of the ball.
A pass to the central player = 1 point.
Variation: to evolve the exercise, you can prohibit the side players from making a pass to a support. Only the central players can play on the support.
Remember to adjust the number of zones based on the number of players present at practice. If you have a group of 20 players, for example, you can create 2 zones and perform the exercise simultaneously in each zone.
Our drills on the support theme
Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
15 min
10-18 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U17
Offensive situation where the attacker plays under pressure and relies on two supports to create a 2v1 and find the best shooting option....
Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - Seniors
3v3 game with goalkeepers and two wide supports to create link-ups on the wide areas and find a situation for a give-and-go or a cross before shooting....
Shooting and using support during the build-up play
10 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U17
Very dynamic drill where the player must serve a winger on the run to initiate the counterattack....
Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
Exercise with 3 teams of 4 to work on managing danger in the final third, effectively closing down shooting and crossing angles, and defensive cohesion around the goalkeeper....
3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - Seniors
3v3 play on a half-field with two central neutral supports to execute one-two-three passes and attack the depth after the build-up play....
Progress with our drills
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3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U15
3v3 game with a neutral player and two central supports to work on overlaps, the support play, and shooting on a stop-ball....
Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
10 min
5-15 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U15
Diamond passing sequence incorporating a short layoff, a one-two pass, a switch of play, and a pass into the run to attack the depth....
Pass sequence with layoff, support runs, and through ball play
10 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U14 - U17
Dynamic layoff-support circuit where players combine quick passes, directional controls, and support runs before attacking the depth....
4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
10 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
4v4+1 possession exercise where the team in possession must connect their corner players by making a minimum number of passes in the central area....
3v3: shooting with outside support and delayed runs
15 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - Seniors
3v3 shooting sequence where players use the wide players as support before attacking the shooting area....
Possession game with support at the 4 corners
15 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Ball retention exercise with a numerical advantage, seeking support in the corners to validate passing sequences....
1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support
15 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U11
A very simple duel exercise to set up, which allows your players, from a young age, to better understand the opponent's runs while keeping their heads up to look for a solution....
Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Used by Xavi at FC Barcelona, this drill will help your players work on using width and how to effectively take advantage of a numerical advantage....
Transition from one zone to another with positional play in 5v5 (+ 2 central supports)
18 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - Seniors
Used by Unai Emery during a training session at Arsenal in 2018, this drill aims to work on positional play through a 5v5 possession game with 2 neutral players....
3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
18 min
14-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
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....
Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U15
8v8 warm-up drill to work on using width with 2 neutral players in the channels. Ideal for starting a session on the theme of space occupation....
3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
This 3v3 small-sided game with 4 corner support players will help you work on combinations in tight spaces. Remember to regularly rotate the support players....
5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - Seniors
Used by RB Leipzig under Julian Nagelsmann, this transition drill is ideal for working on counter-pressing as well as vertical play, a trademark of the new German tactical school....
"Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
20 min
20-22 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - Seniors
The "Juego de Posicion" popularized by Pep Guardiola is an important element of this game, ideal for a large number of players. Positioning will be crucial throughout the drill....
Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
12 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U17
By limiting the number of passes before the shot and providing deep support, your players practice moving the ball quickly to set up a teammate for a shot. The limited number of passes also encourages initiative and creativity....
Short passing game and direct play with support
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Technical
U16 - Seniors
Ideal exercise for your players to practice the short passing game and direct play, with several phases of possession under strict instructions, including a variation that allows your players more freedom....
Warm-up: working on play with support
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U16 - Seniors
By providing the opportunity to play with support, this 6v6 warm-up exercise allows your players to work on ball retention and quick play....
3v3 Wing Play with Support
20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U16
Ideal game situation to force your players to constantly look for the sides, which will allow your wide players to work well during this drill. Just that!...
Support drills classified by category
U10 support soccer drills
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
- Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
- 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
U11 support soccer drills
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
- Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
- 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
U12 support soccer drills
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
- Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
- 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
U13 support soccer drills
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
- Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
- 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
U14 support soccer drills
- Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play
U15 support soccer drills
- Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play
U16 support soccer drills
- Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play
U17 support soccer drills
- Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- Shooting and using support during the build-up play
U18 support soccer drills
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
- 3v3: shooting with outside support and delayed runs
U19 support soccer drills
- Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
- 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
- 3v3: shooting with outside support and delayed runs