tactical U13 soccer drills
tactical U13 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the tactical aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsQuick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
By limiting the number of passes before the shot and providing deep support, your players practice moving the ball quickly to set up a teammate for a shot. The limited number of passes also encourages initiative and creativity.
Discover our tactical U13 drills
Movement off the ball, passes into space, and 1v1 duels
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U15
In this drill, players will have the opportunity to work on various aspects such as getting open, off-the-ball runs, and proper timing of passes. It can be used in different age groups....
Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U16
Very dynamic exercise to implement in training, which will allow your players to work on different situations in 3v2 then 3v3 with a defensive recovery by the 3rd player. Game awareness and quick decision-making will be the focus of this exercise....
4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U13
Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it will allow your players to work on playing with their back to the goal as well as build-up play in a 4v3 setup that is quite simple to implement....
Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1
12 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U15
Thanks to a high press and shooting in 2v1 situations, this drill is ideal for blocking the opponent's build-up play. Make sure to enforce the instructions well to get the most out of your players....
Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
20 min
9-16 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U15
Receiving the ball forward, anticipating interceptions, and making runs into space: this comprehensive exercise is ideal in every aspect and will allow you to work on quick transitions between defensive and attacking phases....
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What is the U13 category?
The U13 category represents children aged 12 to 13 years, and it is at this time that soccer concepts and training intensity increase a notch. At this age, children face significant physical changes, requiring training adaptation to support their growth, muscle development, and coordination improvement. Sessions must therefore be designed to meet these needs while continuing to develop their technical and tactical skills.
Objectives of the U13 category
The objectives for U13 expand to include not only technical development and coordination but also the integration of more complex and technical exercises. The focus will be more on developing game awareness both individually and collectively, decision-making in match situations, and improving more specific qualities like passing, shooting, set pieces or even dribbling.
Some tips for coaching a U13 team
For U13 players, it is advisable to avoid overly physical training and to favor activities that promote agility, endurance, and mastery of fundamental soccer qualities. Sessions should be simple yet dynamic, allowing players to improve through exercises that stimulate both their psychomotor development and tactical understanding. The integration of recovery periods is also essential to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth.
To summarize, here are our tips regarding your U13 training sessions:
To summarize, here are our tips regarding your U13 training sessions:
- Avoid "physical" training as you are used to practicing. Favor exercises for agility, endurance, and flexibility to promote psychomotor development.
- Conduct simple exercises for your players. Simplicity is crucial as it allows for better learning. It is your animation that will give rhythm to your U13 workshops, not the complexity of your training sessions.
- Remember to integrate recovery periods.
What training exercises for U13?
Exercises for U13 should include games and workshops that emphasize individual technique while integrating more advanced tactical elements. Small group play exercises, shooting sessions, and sessions focused on developing team strategy should be prioritized for your training.
Here are some additional ideas to help you:
- Possession game: In small groups to improve game awareness and maintaining possession.
- Shooting workshops: With various scenarios to work on shooting under pressure, from different angles, with both strong and weak foot…
- Quick transition exercises: Attack-defense exercises, and vice versa to develop reactivity and team strategy.
- Dribbling sessions: With technical challenges to improve agility and control in match situations.
- Small-sided games with specific conditions: For example, limiting the number of touches to encourage quick play and decision-making. Also consider implementing different tactics to teach players the importance of positioning and understanding what works best for your U13 team.
Occupying space with a 2v1 rondo in 3 zones
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U13
A very simple exercise to set up that will allow your players to work on their spatial awareness in a possession game with a 2v1 in two zones....
Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U16
This high-intensity drill will allow your players to work on attacking sequences while emphasizing the importance of decision-making during the defensive phase....
Combining offensively using a pivot in 5v5
20 min
10-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U17
Possession drill that will allow your players to work on offensive combinations using a central player who will act as a pivot....
Compact defense with a back three in a reduced central area
20 min
9-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U16
Communication among defenders is essential in this highly intense drill, which perfectly combines communication work, positioning, and movement....
2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles (variation)
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U13
Perfect exercise for your players to work on 2v2 situations and fundamental tactical principles: to draw a defender, support, and off-the-ball runs for the attackers - closing down the ball carrier and defensive cover for the defenders....
2v2 Work and Basic Tactical Principles
15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U17
Ideal drill to train your players on 2v2 and basic tactical principles (to draw a defender, support, and off-the-ball runs for attackers, and pressuring the ball carrier and defensive cover for defenders)....
Dribble and immediate follow-up
20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U15
Ideal drill for getting your players to work on their sequence after the dribble. They practice lifting their heads and gathering information after the dribble and quickly releasing the ball....
Playing between the lines and following up the action (2)
15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U17
Through a 3v3 drill with support, your players practice making through balls to the forward and following their pass to continue the play....
Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement
15 min
8-12 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U17
Long passing drill ideal for training your players to find the right passing angle, improve the accuracy of long balls, and work on attackers' movement off the ball....
Zonal Defense in 3v3: Marking, Cover, and Balance
15 min
6-12 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U15
3v3 game drill to work on your players' tactical understanding of zonal marking (marking, defensive cover, and balance)....
Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
15 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U17
By having the defense work on zonal marking starting from a 6v6, your players improve on various tactical concepts: getting open, defensive cover, and balance to prevent the through ball....
Quick ball movement in 6v6 with deep support
12 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
U12 - U17
By limiting the number of passes before the shot and providing deep support, your players practice moving the ball quickly to set up a teammate for a shot. The limited number of passes also encourages initiative and creativity....
Protecting a Defensive Zone
15 min
8-12 joueurs
Tactical
U11 - U15
By placing your players in 1v1 situations within a defined space, the defenders work on defensive cover while the attackers practice dribbling....
Collective replacement and management of offensive and defensive space
20 min
10-12 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U14
Through this exercise, your players work on collective repositioning, closing down space, and defensive build-up play, as well as finding the available teammate and creating an overload in attack....
Collective ball retention through the short passing game
20 min
8-10 joueurs
Tactical
U11 - U15
By working on collective ball retention using short passing game, your players get used to moving the ball and building up play calmly....
Half-field play: keep your head up and gather information
20 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U14
By requiring play in a confined space, this drill forces your players to lift their heads and look further to find the available teammate....
4v4 Numerical Equality Game and Shooting Situation
20 min
10-12 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U15
By creating game conditions in a limited space, leading to an off-the-ball run and a shooting opportunity, you allow your players to work on both offensive and defensive actions in an even-numbered situation....
3v3 Wing Play with Support
20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
U13 - U16
Ideal game situation to force your players to constantly look for the sides, which will allow your wide players to work well during this drill. Just that!...
Free Play: Positioning and Space Occupation
20 min
12-14 joueurs
Tactical
U10 - U13
Free play on half-field to put players in match situations: allows for working on positioning, movement, and emphasizes the importance of keeping your head up....
The double circle: working on spaces (attack/defense)
12 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U11 - U15
Ideal exercise to train your players to reduce spaces to prevent the through ball (defensively) and create spaces to facilitate ball movement (offensively)....
Other theme U13 soccer drills
U13 Conditioning soccer drills
- Agility and Shooting
- Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
- Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
U13 Small-sided games soccer drills
- 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
- 2v1 Rondo in two zones
- 3v3 high-intensity with shooting on 6 mini goals