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.
Discover 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
U14 - Seniors
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
U14 - U17
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
U14 - U17
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
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....
5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - Seniors
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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The U15 exercises can encompass many themes, but we advise you to focus on the basics: movement, control-pass, and game understanding. These will be the foundations for your players for many years to come. Make sure to animate your U15 training sessions well, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
The U15 category in soccer, which includes players aged 14-15 and is also known as under 15, marks an important stage in a young player's learning. Indeed, they transition from understanding the sport to a more competitive and rigorous aspect. This development period is characterized by a significant increase in the players' technical, tactical, and physical skills, all linked to maximum game mastery and understanding of its stakes.
The U15 category in soccer, which includes players aged 14-15 and is also known as under 15, marks an important stage in a young player's learning. Indeed, they transition from understanding the sport to a more competitive and rigorous aspect. This development period is characterized by a significant increase in the players' technical, tactical, and physical skills, all linked to maximum game mastery and understanding of its stakes.
What is the U15 category in soccer?
The U15 category in soccer includes players under 15 who practice this sport. At this age, players are generally in full adolescence, which implies significant changes both physically, emotionally, and socially.
On the field, this translates to an increase in size, strength, and coordination. Tactical game concepts are also more easily grasped, allowing you, as a coach, to vary your training approach.
The objectives of the U15 category
The main objective of the U15 category in soccer is to prepare players for higher levels of competition they will encounter in upcoming seasons. The goal is to continue their progress as athletes but also as individuals.
Other objectives may stem from the main one, including:
- Perfecting individual technical skills like dribbles, controls, shots, and passes.
- Developing a true tactical understanding of the game through both defensive and offensive movements, not forgetting game awareness.
- Strengthening the physical condition of growing players: endurance, speed, strength, and agility.
- Promoting sports values like fair play, respect for teammates, opponents, and referees.
- Expressing player leadership and helping them understand their responsibilities.
- Preparing players for higher competitions by offering complex and pressure-filled game situations.
Some tips for coaching a U15 team
Coaching a U15 team requires a dynamic and personalized approach to discover the potential of each of your players, who individually do not grow in the same way. Here are some tips we can give you:
- Set clear expectations in terms of behavior, commitment, and performance while creating a positive and stimulating training environment.
- Design varied and progressive training sessions that emphasize the development of technical, tactical, and physical skills.
- Encourage autonomy and responsibility among players by giving them leadership roles and promoting their involvement in session planning and evaluation.
- Provide constructive and individualized feedback to help players identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Integrate elements of mental preparation and stress management to help players face competition challenges and develop resilience.
What training exercises for U15s?
As with all categories, it is important for you to adapt your training sessions based on your group's level.
Here are some examples:
- Ball possession exercises with quick transitions to improve decision-making and coordination.
- Set up combinations and triangle plays to promote team play and communication.
- Work on shooting with realistic game situations to improve offensive efficiency in front of the goal.
- Offer small-sided games with specific rules to stimulate creativity and problem-solving among players.
- Improve individual and collective defense with marking exercises and pressing.
In summary, the U15 category in soccer marks a true turning point in soccer learning. Adolescents grow and develop their game, skills, and understanding of the sport to play at higher levels in upcoming seasons.
Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
U14 - Seniors
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
U14 - U17
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
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....
Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
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....
Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
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....
Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)
20 min
18-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U16
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
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....
4v4 game with 1 neutral player and shooting with a stop-ball
20 min
9-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
U14 - U19
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
U14 - U17
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
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....
4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing
20 min
12-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
U14 - Seniors
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
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....
Crosses and Heading with 2 Side Zones (variation)
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
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!...
Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U14 - U17
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
- Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
- Speed training: sprint variations in a diamond shape
U15 Tactical soccer drills
- 3v3 Wing Play with Support
- Defensive work in pairs in a small area
- Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2