small-sided games U13 soccer drills
small-sided games U13 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the small-sided games aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsCreating space through movement in 5v5
This exercise will help your players position themselves well in space to offer support to the ball carrier. Many variations are possible with additional cognitive aspects.
Discover our small-sided games U13 drills
Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
15 min
15-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Two teams each maintain possession in their own half and look to penetrate through one of the gates to switch of play, under pressure from a third team....
Small-sided games in 2v2 with goalkeeper in promotion relegation format
14 min
4-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U8 - U13
2v2 opposition in a promotion/relegation format where teams move up or down based on the result, with mini-goals or a stop-ball variation....
Small-sided 2v2 games in 3 "drawer" zones
15 min
4-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
2v2 game where the attacking team progresses zone by zone to eliminate two defenders positioned on different "levels" before finishing on mini-goals....
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....
Using Width in a 4v4 with 6 Mini-Goals
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
This drill is ideal for working on passing to create width in order to connect the box-to-box midfielder with the player positioned behind the opposing line....
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.
What is the U13 category?
The U13 category represents children aged 12 to 13 years, and it is at this time that soccer concepts and training intensity increase a notch. At this age, children face significant physical changes, requiring training adaptation to support their growth, muscle development, and coordination improvement. Sessions must therefore be designed to meet these needs while continuing to develop their technical and tactical skills.
Objectives of the U13 category
The objectives for U13 expand to include not only technical development and coordination but also the integration of more complex and technical exercises. The focus will be more on developing game awareness both individually and collectively, decision-making in match situations, and improving more specific qualities like passing, shooting, set pieces or even dribbling.
Some tips for coaching a U13 team
For U13 players, it is advisable to avoid overly physical training and to favor activities that promote agility, endurance, and mastery of fundamental soccer qualities. Sessions should be simple yet dynamic, allowing players to improve through exercises that stimulate both their psychomotor development and tactical understanding. The integration of recovery periods is also essential to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth.
To summarize, here are our tips regarding your U13 training sessions:
To summarize, here are our tips regarding your U13 training sessions:
- Avoid "physical" training as you are used to practicing. Favor exercises for agility, endurance, and flexibility to promote psychomotor development.
- Conduct simple exercises for your players. Simplicity is crucial as it allows for better learning. It is your animation that will give rhythm to your U13 workshops, not the complexity of your training sessions.
- Remember to integrate recovery periods.
What training exercises for U13?
Exercises for U13 should include games and workshops that emphasize individual technique while integrating more advanced tactical elements. Small group play exercises, shooting sessions, and sessions focused on developing team strategy should be prioritized for your training.
Here are some additional ideas to help you:
- Possession game: In small groups to improve game awareness and maintaining possession.
- Shooting workshops: With various scenarios to work on shooting under pressure, from different angles, with both strong and weak foot…
- Quick transition exercises: Attack-defense exercises, and vice versa to develop reactivity and team strategy.
- Dribbling sessions: With technical challenges to improve agility and control in match situations.
- Small-sided games with specific conditions: For example, limiting the number of touches to encourage quick play and decision-making. Also consider implementing different tactics to teach players the importance of positioning and understanding what works best for your U13 team.
3 ways to score in a reduced 3v3v3 game
12 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U8 - U13
Small-sided game with three teams where each group has a specific way to score, requiring quick decision-making and constant adaptation....
7v7 Oppositions with 1v1 Duels on the Flanks
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Small-sided game in 7v7 with two wide areas dedicated to 1v1 before a cross and shooting in the box....
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....
Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Ball possession and transition work in a balanced rondo, where each team seeks to exploit the temporary overload during the possession phase....
Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals
20 min
6-12 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Small 2v1 duel game in a reduced space that emphasizes movement work, whether it's the defender's positioning or the runs of the 2 attacking players....
4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U17
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
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
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....
Creating space through movement in 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U15
This exercise will help your players position themselves well in space to offer support to the ball carrier. Many variations are possible with additional cognitive aspects....
Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U16
Very dynamic drill in the form of a 4v4 that will allow your players to work on different cognitive aspects such as perception, anticipation, and decision-making under pressure....
4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Ideal exercise for youth soccer with a small-sided 4v4 game, a central neutral player, and a variation with 2 mini-goals to offer a coherent progression to your 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....
Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U17
Creative exercise allowing you to work on attacking-defensive transitions with a double 2v1 and a combination of passes. Use the suggested variations to make the exercise closer to real match conditions....
2v1 Rondo in two zones
12 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U9 - U13
2v1 (or 4v2) possession exercise on two adjacent zones with possible variation on mini-goals. Ideal small-sided game for soccer schools....
4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
20 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U15
A very dynamic game that involves various cognitive aspects, it is ideal for working in a fun way through a possession exercise followed by progression with shooting on mini-goals....
Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage
20 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U14
4v2 possession drill with pressing and zone changes. You can develop the exercise with small goals and by limiting touches on the ball....
Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U9 - U13
A very fun game that combines problem-solving, decision-making, and attacking-defensive transitions. Highly appreciated by players and ideal for soccer schools!...
5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U15
This 5v5 small-sided game with 4 neutral players will allow your players to progressively take control of the field by "unlocking" the neutral players one by one....
Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U17
Small-sided game ideal for your players to work on transitions in numerical advantage/disadvantage and implement your guidance independently....
4v4 Possession Game with 2 Final Third Zones
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U10 - U13
Positioning, reaction time, and quality of passes are on the agenda for this possession exercise, perfect for working on key skills in a fun format....
Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U12 - U17
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!...
Other theme U13 soccer drills
U13 Conditioning soccer drills
- Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
- Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
U13 Tactical soccer drills
- Combining offensively using a pivot in 5v5
- The double circle: working on spaces (attack/defense)
- Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery