small-sided games U16 soccer drills
small-sided games U16 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 drills7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
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.
On a half-field, set up 4 gates as shown in the diagram and form 2 teams of 7 players, as well as 3 neutral players. Also, make sure to place balls all around the field to avoid wasting time in case of a ball out and maintain high intensity.
The game starts with a pass from the coach to the blue team. The blues must maintain possession with the help of the 3 neutral players while the 7 yellow players try to win it back. The goal for the blue team is to make a pass through one of the gates. However, they cannot pass through the same gate twice in a row.
When the yellows win the ball, it's their turn to perform a possession game to try to find a teammate through a gate.
Variation 1: you can require your players to make the pass through the gate with one touch. This will increase the intensity of the exercise and make the task slightly more difficult for your players.
Variation 2: you can also ask your players to dribble through the gates, specifying that only team players can score a point. The neutral players are only there for support.
Variation 2: passing through the gates
Discover our small-sided games U16 drills
3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
15 min
7-14 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Numerical advantage build-up situation (GK + 3 players) to beat the first line of press and find outlets towards mini-goals....
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....
6v3 Positional Play with Mini Goals
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Positional play where 6 players maintain possession against 3 pressing, with objectives of passing and quick transitions to mini-goals....
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....
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The U16 category includes players aged 15-16 years. At this age, you will need to focus your U16 training sessions around different themes, such as athletic development, technical skill, and tactical knowledge.
We advise you to concentrate on the basic aspects when preparing your U16 exercises: movement, control-pass, and game awareness. These will be the foundation for your players for many years to come. Make sure to keep your U16 training sessions engaging, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
We advise you to concentrate on the basic aspects when preparing your U16 exercises: movement, control-pass, and game awareness. These will be the foundation for your players for many years to come. Make sure to keep your U16 training sessions engaging, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.
Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Opposition scenario where the defensive team must delay the attack, protect the penalty area, and prevent shots and crosses before counterattacking towards mini-goals....
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....
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 with quick transitions upon losing the ball
20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Working on ball possession under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coordinated pressing....
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....
Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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....
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....
Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players
20 min
16-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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....
Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
30 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Used by Vicente Del Bosque during a training session at Real Madrid, this drill is ideal for working on duels and the short passing game in tight spaces....
Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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....
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....
José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
25 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
Used at Chelsea, this drill consists of a 3v3 possession game with two external zones. It will help your players work on passing angles and playing between the lines....
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....
Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
25 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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....
Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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....
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....
Finishing sequence followed by 2v2 opposition
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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....
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....
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....
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....
Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
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
U16 - Seniors
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....
Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
This drill is ideal for working on counterattacks in match situations. You can implement different variations to add rhythm to a session and offer a quality drill to your players (exercise used by Manchester City in April 2019)....
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....
6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals
20 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U16 - Seniors
This possession drill focuses on three aspects: space management, passing quality, and speed of execution. With numerous variations, it is ideal for adding tempo to your session....
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 U16 soccer drills
U16 Conditioning soccer drills
- Speed work: alternating jogging-sprint on a progressive run
- Athletic warm-up: hurdles, give and go, and accelerations
- Aerobic Training for Early Season in 6 Phases
U16 Tactical soccer drills
- Defensive work in pairs in a small area
- Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
- Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block