transition U18 soccer drills

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

Exercise used by José Mourinho at Real Madrid, it will allow you to work on counter-pressing in an 8v4 situation with 4 support players. Be sure to close down spaces immediately after losing possession!

Mark out a 30x30m area and then place 2 large goals on each width. Then form a team of 4 players and a team of 8 players. The team of 4 positions itself in the area, and the team of 8 places 4 players in the area and 2 players on each length of the field.

The exercise starts with a 4vs4 within the area with 4 players as support. The objective for the team with a numerical advantage is to complete a series of 8 consecutive passes before being able to score. The objective of the defending team is to recover the ball and score without a pass limit.

Upon losing the ball, the players on the sides must quickly close the spaces and press the ball carrier. The idea is to perform a counter-pressing and recover the ball within 6 to 8 seconds after losing it.

The rules of the exercise are as follows: 

1. The players with a numerical advantage are limited to 2 touches of the ball. The opposing players (the team of 4) have no touch limit.
2. The team of 8 scores a point for each series of 8 consecutive passes.
3. The team of 4 scores 1 point if they recover the ball and score on the large goal. If the opposing team recovers the ball within 6 seconds after losing it, they score 1 point.

U17 U18 U19 Seniors

Transition

Discover our transition U18 drills

Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6

20 min

12-16 joueurs

Small-sided games

U16 - U20

Opposition scenario where the defensive team must delay the attack, protect the penalty area, and prevent shots and crosses before counterattacking towards mini-goals....

9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones

12 min

18-20 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U19

9v9 game in zones to work on midfield pressing, central density, and the ability to play vertically under pressure....

Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games

12 min

14-20 joueurs

Warm-up

U17 - Seniors

Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....

Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5

20 min

10-20 joueurs

Small-sided games

U16 - U17

Used during a training session at Manchester City, this high-intensity drill is ideal for working on the attacking-defensive transition and managing numerical advantage. All of this in a spirit of healthy competition....

Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play

15 min

11-15 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

Exercise focused on goalkeeper work and how players move when their goalkeeper has the ball in hand. The goalkeeper's decision-making is essential to determine whether it is preferable to play short or direct....

Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports

20 min

18-21 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U17

Used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, this drill will help you work on the attacking-defensive transition in the upper part of the field....

Tactical drill by Diego Simeone with defensive transition to attacking Transition work

18 min

18-22 joueurs

Tactical

Seniors - U18

Used by Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid, this drill will help you work on quick attacks during an attacking transition in the central area....

Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2

15 min

10-18 joueurs

Small-sided games

U17 - U18

Used by Mikel Arteta during a training session at Arsenal, this drill will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with a 4v2 followed by a 6v4....

Pep Guardiola's Transition Work in a 5v5 Across 3 Zones

20 min

12-18 joueurs

Tactical

U19 - U18

Used by Pep Guardiola during his time at Bayern Munich, this exercise is ideal for working on quick execution and exploiting spaces during the defensive-attacking transition....

Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players

20 min

16-20 joueurs

Small-sided games

U17 - U16

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....

Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6

20 min

15-20 joueurs

Tactical

U17 - U16

Used by J. Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, this drill is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition, emphasizing the speed of attacks when the opposing block is disorganized....

Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3

15 min

14-18 joueurs

Small-sided games

U17 - U16

Used by José Mourinho, this exercise will allow you to set up game situations where the speed of the defensive-attacking transition is crucial, in order to take advantage of a numerical advantage....

11v11 opposition with 2v1 scenarios on the wide areas

20 min

20-22 joueurs

Tactical

U19 - U18

Exercise used by the Spanish national team, it will help your players get accustomed to using width while presenting them with a specific situation: a 2v1 on the wide areas....

Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches

20 min

14-18 joueurs

Tactical

U19 - U18

Used by Claudio Ranieri during a training session at Leicester, this dynamic drill is perfect for getting your players to work on the defensive-to-attacking transition in the high area of the field....

Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support

20 min

20-22 joueurs

Small-sided games

Seniors - U17

Small-sided game with a focus on possession work and an attacking transition, which forms the core of this exercise. Note that several variations are possible....

Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6

20 min

14-18 joueurs

Tactical

U16 - U17

Exercise used by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, this 6v6 will allow your players to work on attacking and defensive transitions as well as game awareness. Decision-making and quick attacks will be the focus....

Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6

20 min

11-15 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U17

Excellent exercise proposed by Luis Enrique during his time at AS Roma, with this 6v6 small-sided game on 3 mini goals, which allows for addressing different themes such as the use of width or playing between the lines....

Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels

12 min

8-16 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

This two-step drill is inspired by an exercise implemented by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. It's ideal for working on attacking and defensive transitions in the defensive third of the field....

J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions

20 min

12-16 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

Used by Jurgen Klopp during his time at Borussia Dortmund, this drill is perfect for working on quick attacks against a disorganized opponent, and thus perfecting the attacking transition in the high area of the field....

Switch of play and shooting with a series of 1v1 duels

15 min

10-20 joueurs

Technical

U18 - U17

Used in the Spanish national team, this drill helps work on duels at the edge of the penalty area, as well as switches of play. A very dynamic exercise and generally appreciated by players!...

Luis Enrique: dynamic situation in 3 zones with support for the ball carrier

20 min

16-20 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

Used by Luis Enrique during a training session at FC Barcelona in 2015, this drill, which places your players in a situation across 3 zones, will allow you to work on finding the free player and playing between the lines....

Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game

20 min

15-18 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U17

Inspired by a Jurgen Klopp exercise, this 6v6 small-sided game (with 6 neutral players) is ideal for working on transitions, particularly the attacking-defensive transition....

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

20 min

12-16 joueurs

Tactical

U19 - U17

Exercise used by José Mourinho at Real Madrid, it will allow you to work on counter-pressing in an 8v4 situation with 4 support players. Be sure to close down spaces immediately after losing possession!...

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

20 min

14-18 joueurs

Small-sided games

Seniors - U17

Exercise to work on spacing during the defensive-offensive transition in the attacking third, with this 6v6 possession game including 2 neutral players providing support....

Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)

20 min

14-18 joueurs

Tactical

U17 - U19

Great exercise in 9v5 to train your players on build-up play under pressure and reaction time to losing possession, while studying the attacking-defensive transition phase....

Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels

18 min

16-20 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

Taken from a session with AS Roma, this drill allows you to work on the numerical advantage in a small area dynamically with 3v2 duels....

Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)

25 min

18-24 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U17

Taken from a training session of Bayern Munich (2013/2014), this exercise focuses on working on the defensive-attacking transition in the defensive third with the support of players....

Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

15 min

11-15 joueurs

Small-sided games

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 the ball. Used by Mauricio Pochettino during his time at Tottenham....

Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

18 min

18-22 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

This exercise on 3 zones by Diego Simeone, used at Atlético Madrid during the 2013/2014 season, is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition in the defensive third, with a situation of numerical disadvantage....

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....

Exploiting spaces in counterattack in the opponent's half

25 min

20-22 joueurs

Tactical

U20 - Seniors

11v11 game situation to work on the defensive-attacking transition and exploiting spaces in a counterattack. Inspired by an exercise used by Pep Guardiola, this drill is ideal at the end of a session....

Transition and switch of play with support and neutral players (variation)

20 min

18-22 joueurs

Tactical

U17 - U18

A variation of the possession game on 2 zones, this exercise will allow you to develop your team with formations similar to those you can use in a match. Intensity will be key!...

Defensive-attacking transition: switch of play with possession in 2 areas

20 min

12-16 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

Possession game on 2 equivalent zones to work on the defensive-attacking transition in the defensive third. Having a "support" player is key during this transition....

Finishing sequence followed by 2v2 opposition

15 min

10-20 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U17

Highly appreciated by players, this shooting exercise followed by an attacking-defensive transition and a 2v2 duel is ideal for working on various offensive combinations. Numerous variations are possible....

Counter-pressing work by J. Nagelsmann in 10v10 with 4 goals

20 min

18-22 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

Used by Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig, this 10v10 exercise with 4 mini-goals will allow you to multiply counter-pressing situations....

Small group possession in 4 zones

20 min

12-18 joueurs

Small-sided games

U20 - U17

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

Shooting then defensive transition in 3v2

15 min

6-18 joueurs

Technical

Seniors - U19

Used at Liverpool, this shooting exercise with a 3v2 attacking transition is ideal for practicing classic moves and working on positioning in front of the goal....

1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

15 min

12-24 joueurs

Technical

U18 - U17

1v1 duels from different perspectives: first a 1v1, then a defensive transition to quickly move into a 2v1 on the large goal....

Possession game in 4v2 with quick transitions and pressing

15 min

12-24 joueurs

Small-sided games

U17 - Seniors

Very dynamic drill in the form of 2 possession games in 4v2 with focus on pressing in tight spaces. Ideal for gradually increasing intensity!...

Warm-up with a small-sided game focused on counter-pressing

15 min

12-21 joueurs

Warm-up

U17 - Seniors

This drill is ideal for a warm-up before a session focused on counter-pressing work. Remember to gradually increase the intensity during the exercise....

High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

20 min

14-18 joueurs

Small-sided games

Seniors - U17

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

Possession play and high press in 2 zones

20 min

12-18 joueurs

Small-sided games

Seniors - U20

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

Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone

20 min

12-20 joueurs

Small-sided games

U17 - Seniors

Possession drill that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with the possibility of implementing multiple variations....

Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals

15 min

6-24 joueurs

Technical

U16 - U20

A small, dynamic drill that will allow your players to work on sequences in tight spaces and under pressure. Many variations are possible!...

Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

15 min

12-24 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U17

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

15 min

17-20 joueurs

Small-sided games

U18 - U17

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....

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

30 min

16-20 joueurs

Tactical

U17 - U18

Still based on Positional Play, this exercise allows you to work with your players on quick recovery (gegenpressing) as well as switching play under pressure. A perfect mix!...

Aerial duel, second ball, and dynamic play in 5v3

15 min

14-22 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U19

Game-based drill that will allow your players to work on recovering the second ball following an aerial duel, while keeping in mind the importance of the attacking-defensive transition....

4v4 game with line touch after each goal

15 min

12-22 joueurs

Conditioning

U19 - U18

Two teams play on a small field and try to score with one condition: every time a team loses possession, they must sprint, touch their goal line, and then come back to defend. Quite intense!...

Possession with 3 teams and quick transition play

15 min

15-18 joueurs

Tactical

Seniors - U19

An ideal exercise to work on ball possession and quick transitions while adopting the mindset of "Positional Play" and can be performed just as well in pre-season as during the year. Emphasize the intensity of the transitions!...

Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure

20 min

11-22 joueurs

Technical

U20 - Seniors

With this drill, players are challenged to find creative solutions to maintain possession of the ball while constantly being put under pressure....

"Positional play" in 4v4 + 3 neutral players

20 min

11-12 joueurs

Tactical

U19 - Seniors

Inspired by Pep Guardiola's famous "Juego de Posición," this drill is perfect for working on your players' positioning and their relationship with space....

Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid

20 min

10-14 joueurs

Tactical

U19 - Seniors

The principle is simple: possession in the small central square, then opening up to the large square. In this drill, players learn to quickly transition from defense to attack and from attack to defense. Gegenpressing, or counter-pressing, is an important training objective....

Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation

20 min

12-16 joueurs

Tactical

U19 - U18

Through a drill with a single goal in the middle of the field, your players work on defensive-to-attacking transitions: pressing and recovery (defensive), circulation and combination play towards attack (offensive)....

Collective Defensive Positioning in Zonal Marking

20 min

14-16 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U15

In a 7v7 on a half-field, you work with your defenders and central midfielders on collective zonal defensive positioning and the quick reformation of the defensive block....

Technical work in 2v2, cross and shooting

25 min

15-17 joueurs

Technical

U20 - Seniors

Through a 2v2 drill ending with a shot, your players work on ball retention and recovery as well as shooting in front of the goal....

2v2 Situation and Shooting

12 min

12-14 joueurs

Tactical

U17 - U19

Ideal exercise for having your players practice shooting from a 2v2 situation....

Possession and Recovery in 2v2

15 min

16-18 joueurs

Warm-up

Seniors - U18

Starting from a 2v2, this warm-up exercise focuses on ball recovery and possession....

Attacking transition and game awareness

15 min

10-14 joueurs

Tactical

U18 - U17

By alternating pressing and recovery with ball retention and circulation, your players work on attacking transitions and their game awareness....

Back pass and 2v2 at the edge of the penalty area

15 min

10-12 joueurs

Technical

U18 - Seniors

Back pass followed by a 2v2 near the penalty area. An exercise your players will definitely enjoy!...

Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team

20 min

10-16 joueurs

Tactical

Seniors - U16

Ideal for learning to counterattack quickly and advance as a team. The defensive aspect is also present in this exercise, perfect for working your defenders!...