small-sided games U17 soccer drills
small-sided games U17 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 drills3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
This 3v3 small-sided game with 4 corner support players will help you work on combinations in tight spaces. Remember to regularly rotate the support players.
Using 4 cones, create a 20x20m area then form 2 teams of 3 players and one team of 4 players (see animation). Place one player from each team in the center of the field, then ask the others to spread out on each side. Next, place the 4 players from the last team at each corner of the playing area.
The exercise proceeds as follows:
- The 3-player teams must keep the ball as long as possible but only score a point when the central player touches the ball.
- The corner players serve as support for the team in the offensive position.
- The corner players as well as the support players are only allowed one touch of the ball.
A pass to the central player = 1 point.
Variation: to evolve the exercise, you can prohibit the side players from making a pass to a support. Only the central players can play on the support.
Remember to adjust the number of zones based on the number of players present at practice. If you have a group of 20 players, for example, you can create 2 zones and perform the exercise simultaneously in each zone.
Discover our small-sided games U17 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....
Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
20 min
15-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Positional play in 4 zones where the team in possession must maintain a 3v3 (+3 neutral players) and then switch of play to another zone after 8 to 10 passes....
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....
6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
6v6 game with goalkeepers where teams must attack with width and skip the restricted zone to play a through ball....
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What does the U17 category in soccer consist of?
The U17 category includes players aged 16-17 and is often very important in the progression of your players. It's the age where most major clubs send their scouts to the sidelines to discover new talents who may have emerged later. The U17 category is a decisive turning point for young aspiring professional soccer players. At this stage, players already possess a solid technical foundation and enter a phase where tactical finesse, physical strength, and mental maturity become crucial to becoming a standout player. This age generally marks the starting point of a more professional soccer journey, or conversely, a more amateur one.
As a coach, many new challenges will arise when coaching a U17 team to maximize the personal development of each player while considering the locker room and collective results. The U17 training sessions must above all be dynamic. It's an age where you can start emphasizing the athletic aspect of your exercises while maintaining a good dose of technical and tactical drills. Here is a detailed sheet to help you prepare your U17 training sessions and better choose the exercises to offer.
Objectives with your U17 players
The main objective at this age is to prepare players for the challenges of senior soccer. This involves advanced technical refinement, a deep understanding of game tactics, and rigorous and more advanced physical preparation.
Simultaneously, psychological aspects, such as pressure management, resilience, and team spirit, become increasingly important.
Some tips for coaching a U17 team
To coach a U17 team, certain principles should be kept in mind as a soccer coach. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Strategic planning: sessions must be carefully planned with clear objectives, focused on specific skills to develop (set pieces, dribbles, build-up play from defense, counterattack, tactical positioning…).
- Intensity and specificity : at this age, training should be intense and focused on specific elements for each session, with exercises simulating real match situations.
- The importance of individual and collective development: it is crucial to find a balance between individual improvement and team cohesion.
- Psychological support: provide mental support to help players manage stress and stay motivated before, during, and after each match. Indeed, this age also marks the beginning of more official competitions at different levels (regional, national…).
Integrating recovery periods is also essential to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth.
What training exercises for U17s?
To best help you build your U17 training sessions, here are some relevant exercise ideas:
- Positional play exercises: Develop tactical understanding by setting up various game situations.
- Shooting drills: Focus on improving shooting skills in different situations, under pressure.
- Specific physical training: sessions dedicated to improving a specific element like strength, speed, and endurance.
- Tactical sessions: representation of real match conditions, testing new strategies and formations…
- Shooting exercises: varied drills to sharpen effectiveness in front of goal under different pressures and angles.
- Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating short passing game, direct play: this exercise primarily focuses on goalkeeper development, highlighting how players should position themselves and move when the goalkeeper has the ball.
- Match simulations: generally conducted at the end of the match to develop quick decision-making and tactical adaptability in match conditions.
- Offensive combination work between the lines of Pep Guardiola: inspired by Manchester City training, this exercise is perfect for developing a precise offensive sequence, encouraging playing between the lines through a targeted passing sequence.
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....
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....
3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones
15 min
12-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Three-team transition game where two players press the team in possession within a zone, and roles rotate continuously....
9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones
12 min
18-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
9v9 game in zones to work on midfield pressing, central density, and the ability to play vertically under pressure....
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....
Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Possession-focused drill in 3 zones with the objective of connecting with the 9, then supporting the drive to finish in the mini-goals....
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 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Three-zone possession exercise to work on reactions to transitions, the disadvantage on the weak side, and movements preparing for a potential loss of possession and counter-pressing....
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....
Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
20 min
18-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, this drill will help you work on the attacking-defensive transition in the upper part of the field....
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....
Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2
15 min
10-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Used by Mikel Arteta during a training session at Arsenal, this drill will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with a 4v2 followed by a 6v4....
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....
Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
20 min
20-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Small-sided game with a focus on possession work and an attacking transition, which forms the core of this exercise. Note that several variations are possible....
Playing between the lines and quick transitions by Luis Enrique in 6v6
20 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Excellent exercise proposed by Luis Enrique during his time at AS Roma, with this 6v6 small-sided game on 3 mini goals, which allows for addressing different themes such as the use of width or playing between the lines....
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....
Quick Attacks Against a Team Defending in a Low Block (5v5)
18 min
14-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Inspired by an exercise used by the Spanish national team, this 5v5 small-sided game with support will allow you to work on several attacking combinations against a team that defends in a low block....
Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game
20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Inspired by a Jurgen Klopp exercise, this 6v6 small-sided game (with 6 neutral players) is ideal for working on transitions, particularly the attacking-defensive transition....
Rondo and Switch of Play in 4 Zones by Rafael Benitez
20 min
18-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Used by Rafael Benitez at Napoli, this drill will force your players to stay constantly engaged in the game and continuously offer solutions, thanks to the rule of a maximum of 4 passes....
Small-sided game in 5v5 by Luis Enrique (+ 1 neutral player)
20 min
11-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
With a clear objective, the contribution of several supports during quick attacks, this exercise used by Luis Enrique at FC Barcelona is ideal if you're looking for a small-sided game to offer your players....
Possession game and defensive-attacking transition in a 6v6 (+ 2)
20 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Exercise to work on spacing during the defensive-offensive transition in the attacking third, with this 6v6 possession game including 2 neutral players providing support....
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....
Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square
15 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
In this 3v2 (and 3v3 with pressing), your players will be able to work on coordinated press as well as transition play when losing the ball. Used by Mauricio Pochettino during his time at Tottenham....
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....
Small group possession in 4 zones
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
4v2 possession exercise with switch of play and attacking-defensive transition that will require a lot of focus and intensity....
Direct play with a double 4v1 and a central zone
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
4v1 possession drill with a focus on direct play, while under pressure from a defender. A high-paced session to be introduced after a thorough warm-up!...
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....
3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
This 3v3 small-sided game with 4 corner support players will help you work on combinations in tight spaces. Remember to regularly rotate the support players....
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....
Possession game in 4v2 with quick transitions and pressing
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Very dynamic drill in the form of 2 possession games in 4v2 with focus on pressing in tight spaces. Ideal for gradually increasing intensity!...
High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals
20 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Great exercise to train your players in quick attacks following a high press. Offered at Tottenham, it's an ideal small-sided game to end a session....
Possession play and high press in 2 zones
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Used by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, this exercise is ideal for working on the high press on the field and quick transitions. Emphasize the importance of executing the press collectively....
Small-sided game in 7v7 + 2 floaters and wide players
20 min
18-22 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Small-sided game on a half field, which will allow you to finish a training session in the best possible way: with a complete and intense exercise....
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....
Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone
20 min
12-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Possession drill that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with the possibility of implementing multiple variations....
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 U17 soccer drills
U17 Conditioning soccer drills
- Athletic work with alternating runs on half-field
- Athletic and conditioning circuit in 4 sets
- High-intensity 1v1 mini-tournament (promotion-relegation)
U17 Tactical soccer drills
- Attacking transition: recovery and retention
- Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3
- José Mourinho's Counter-pressing Upon Losing Possession in 4v4 (+4)