small-sided games U15 soccer drills
small-sided games U15 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.
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Fun Game Cognitive Scanning GapsDiscover our small-sided games U15 drills
Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
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....
4v4 with active recovery and transitions – attacking the width in small-sided play
20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Two teams compete in a 4v4 to score on a large goal or cross a line, with a third team actively recovering and rotating every two minutes....
Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
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 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
3v3 game with a neutral player and two central supports to work on overlaps, the support play, and shooting on a stop-ball....
5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Maintain possession in a rondo under pressure, then break out with dribbling after 10 passes to score in a mini-goal....
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Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Possession game where the objective is to connect one goalkeeper to the other by prioritizing the forward pass in a 4v4 with two goalkeepers in the side zones....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
Forward play with possession in 6v3
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Possession exercise emphasizing the importance of playing quickly forward with a 6v3 possession and constant defensive pressure....
4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
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....
Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
This small-sided game, used by Vicente Del Bosque during a training session at Real Madrid, is ideal for working on smooth transitions in midfield and quickly getting into goal-scoring situations....
Creating space through movement in 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
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....
Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Very dynamic exercise that will allow your players to work on positioning and movement in a small space in a 4v2. A specific feature: some periods will be played with 2 balls....
Unlocking mini-goals with gate passing in 4v4
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
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....
Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
20 min
18-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
8v4 possession game with 6 support players that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition, as well as pressing upon losing the ball....
Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
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....
4v4 game with 1 neutral player and shooting with a stop-ball
20 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
4v4 possession exercise with an attacking neutral player and 2 channels that allow for full use of width and work on field occupation, even in a reduced area....
3-Team Possession Game (6v6 + 3 neutral players)
20 min
15-19 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
This exercise involves a 6v6 match with 3 attacking jokers on a reduced field. It's ideal for working on movement and decision-making under opponent pressure....
Possession game in 2v4 then 4v8 with central zone
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Small-sided game with 3 teams of 4 players and a central zone ("river") to work on positioning and movement in tight spaces....
4v4 Game with Colored Gates and Mini Goals
20 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
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....
4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
20 min
12-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Classic possession game in 4v2 with a central river and quick attacking-defensive transitions....
Possession play and progressive switches of play
20 min
6-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
This small-sided game with a numerical advantage and progression from zone to zone is ideal for youth teams and will help improve concentration while adding a competitive element....
5v5 opposition with "4 corner jokers"
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
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
U15
Small-sided game ideal for your players to work on transitions in numerical advantage/disadvantage and implement your guidance independently....
Crosses and Heading with 2 Side Zones (variation)
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
By encouraging your players to focus on aerial play and facilitating crosses, this drill allows them to work on their aerial game (heading and volleying) while staying in match conditions....
Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
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!...
Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15
Numerous variations are possible for this counterattack exercise. Your players will work on reactivity, movement, and concentration. That's all!...
Other theme U15 soccer drills
U15 Conditioning soccer drills
- Speed work with varied movements over 25 meters
- Relay in pairs for athletic and agility work
- Dribbling, passing, and diagonal run
U15 Tactical soccer drills
- Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
- Zonal defense with a 3v3 in an expanded area
- Restricted zone: Using the wide areas in 5v5
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