transition U12 soccer drills

transition U12 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the transition aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

Access more drills
Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends

Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends

15 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U12
1v1 duel where the attacker receives the ball with their back to the defender, must shield the ball, then turn to attack the mini-goal behind them....
Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games

Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games

12 min
14-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U12
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions

Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
Ball possession and transition work in a balanced rondo, where each team seeks to exploit the temporary overload during the possession phase....
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
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....
3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals

3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
Used by the youth teams at Real Madrid, this highly dynamic drill will help your players work on attacking and defensive transitions as well as defensive recovery....
Premium drills - Soccer Coach Lab

Progress with our drills

Join our community of amateur coaches and access 500+ premium drills with diagrams inspired by pro coaches. Get new drills every week.

Access drills
Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3

Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3

15 min
9-18 joueurs
Technical
U12
A small, highly dynamic 3v3 exercise that will help you work on game awareness in tight spaces and improve reactivity between each phase of play....
Interception and forward ball control in 4v3

Interception and forward ball control in 4v3

20 min
9-16 joueurs
Tactical
U12
Receiving the ball forward, anticipating interceptions, and making runs into space: this comprehensive exercise is ideal in every aspect and will allow you to work on quick transitions between defensive and attacking phases....
Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2

Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Technical
U12
Exercise to work on attacking combinations and the final action in front of the goal. The sequence ends with a 2v2 duel, progressing to a 3v2 situation with a numerical advantage....
2v1 Rondo in two zones

2v1 Rondo in two zones

12 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
2v1 (or 4v2) possession exercise on two adjacent zones with possible variation on mini-goals. Ideal small-sided game for soccer schools....
Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage

Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage

20 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
4v2 possession drill with pressing and zone changes. You can develop the exercise with small goals and by limiting touches on the ball....
Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2

Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2

15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12
High-energy small-sided game with lots of changes in pace, this drill is perfect for working on attacking and defensive transitions and concentration. Your players will definitely love it!...
2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)

2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12
Perfect exercise for your players to work on 2v2 situations and fundamental tactical principles: to draw a defender, support, and off-the-ball runs for the attackers - closing down the ball carrier and defensive cover for the defenders....
Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance

Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance

15 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U12
By having the defense work on zonal marking starting from a 6v6, your players improve on various tactical concepts: getting open, defensive cover, and balance to prevent the through ball....

Other sub-theme U12 soccer drills

U12 Agility soccer drills

  1. Receiving on the half-turn and dribbling with the "escape from jail" drill
  2. Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
  3. Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run
See all

U12 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
  2. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
  3. Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
See all

U12 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
  2. Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
  3. One-two pass drill against a diamond formation
See all

U12 Circuit soccer drills

  1. Passing game work with a square of 6 players
  2. Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
  3. Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go
See all

U12 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. 4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
  2. 5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
  3. 1v1 Distance Duels on Mini Goals
See all

U12 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
See all

U12 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
  2. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  3. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
See all

U12 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
  2. 1v1 Duels and Defensive Positioning
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
See all

U12 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
  2. Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
  3. Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3
See all

U12 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
  2. The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling
  3. Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go
See all

U12 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel
  2. Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
  3. The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making
See all

U12 Duels soccer drills

  1. Small-sided 2v2 games in 3 "drawer" zones
  2. Drop-off and ball control
  3. 7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks
See all

U12 Endurance soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
See all

U12 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload
  2. Finishing After a 1v1 with a Through Ball Using Different Trajectories
  3. Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
See all

U12 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Fun Warm-up: Dribbling and Ball Control in Tight Spaces
  2. Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
  3. Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
See all

U12 Gaps soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
  2. Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage
  3. Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
See all

U12 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot
  2. Receiving on the half-turn and dribbling with the "escape from jail" drill
  3. The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making
See all

U12 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
  2. Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
  3. One-two pass combinations with 2 teams then shooting
See all

U12 Overload soccer drills

  1. Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals
  2. Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload
  3. Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
See all

U12 Passes soccer drills

  1. Warm-up with the ball: sequence of passes in groups of 3 with opening
  2. 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals
  3. The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling
See all

U12 Positional play soccer drills

  1. 7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks
  2. 3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
  3. Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
See all

U12 Possession soccer drills

  1. Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
  2. 4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
  3. 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
See all

U12 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
  2. Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
  3. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
See all

U12 Rondos soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
  2. 4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
  3. 5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
See all

U12 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
  2. Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball
  3. Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4
See all

U12 Shooting soccer drills

  1. 4v4 and off-the-ball runs into space
  2. Agility and Shooting
  3. Positioning in a "Y", creating space, and shooting
See all

U12 Support soccer drills

  1. Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
  2. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
  3. 4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players
See all

U12 Using width soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
  2. 3v3 (+4) with support players and position change
  3. Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
See all

A growing library of 600+ drills

Used by coaches to plan sessions faster, with new drills every week.

Access drills