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.
Mark out an area of about 30x35m and then place 9 small squares of 2 different colors within the area (see diagram for more details). Then form 2 teams of 5 players. If you have more than 10 players at practice, you can enlarge the area or create a second area for the additional players.
The exercise will proceed as follows:
- The team in possession of the ball must keep the ball as long as possible while scoring points by making a pass into a square of the color of their team.
- The defending team must win back the ball by pressing the opposing team and minimizing passing angles.
- Once the ball is recovered, the roles reverse.
- It is important for players to position themselves well in space to constantly offer options to the ball carrier, while keeping an eye on the finishing squares.
Here are some variations you can implement during this exercise:
- Reverse the colors: the blues score in the yellow squares, and vice versa. This will add an additional cognitive aspect to this exercise.
- A point is scored when a player crosses a square.
- The central square earns double points.
Categories
U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15Sub-themes
Fun Game Cognitive Scanning GapsDiscover our small-sided games U13 drills
Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates
15 min
15-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
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
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
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
U13
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
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.
3 ways to score in a reduced 3v3v3 game
12 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
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
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
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
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
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
U13
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
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
U13
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
U13
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
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
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
U13
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
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
U13
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
U13
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
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
U13
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
U13
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
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
U13
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
- Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
- Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
U13 Tactical soccer drills
- Dribble and immediate follow-up
- Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
- Movement off the ball, passes into space, and 1v1 duels
A growing library of 600+ drills
Used by coaches to plan sessions faster, with new drills every week.