technical U11 soccer drills
technical U11 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the technical aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsDouble sequence of passes in hourglass and diamond formation
Passing work on this double circuit with a multitude of possible combinations, which will also allow for concentration training.
Place 4 cones of the same color to form a rectangle of about 15x20m. Then arrange 4 other cones to form a diamond of about 15m per side. Form 2 teams of about 6 players each and position them on each passing circuit (see animation).
On the 1st circuit (blue), the exercise proceeds as follows:
- The 1st player (A) starts with dribbling then makes a short pass to the central player (B).
- The latter will then perform a directional control and play to the 3rd player (C) on the opposite side.
- C controls then makes a short pass to the 4th player (D).
- Each player moves to the next cone and the sequence continues in the same way starting from the 4th player.
On the 2nd circuit (red), the drill will proceed as follows:
- The 1st player (A) will perform a one-two pass with the 2nd player (B) located to his right.
- This is followed by a long pass to the opposite side to the 3rd player (C). A takes B's place, and B takes A's place.
- C will then perform the same passing sequence before playing to the next player on the opposite side.
Progression: once the routines are well established, move the 2nd drill to the heart of the first (see illustration). This will force your players to constantly keep their heads up and to stay focused throughout the exercise. Also, remember to alternate the teams.
Progression
Discover our technical U11 drills
Continuation of 1v1 duels with back to goal and mini-goals on opposite ends
15 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
1v1 duel where the attacker receives the ball with their back to the defender, must shield the ball, then turn to attack the mini-goal behind them....
Give-and-go, dribble, and shooting from different angles
15 min
3-18 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U13
Very simple to set up, this drill allows for practicing short passing combinations before a 1v1 with a defender and a quick shot against the goalkeeper....
1v1 with goalkeeper – back-to-goal duel and chasing defense
15 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
1v1 duel where the attacker starts with their back to the goal and must turn to shoot, while the defender protects their goal from behind....
Finishing After a 1v1 with a Through Ball Using Different Trajectories
15 min
4-24 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
1v1 duel where the attacker receives a through ball and must pass through a gate before finishing against the goalkeeper....
1v1 duels with neutral support and quick finishing on close goals
12 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
High-intensity 1v1 duel with a directional layoff pass, goal choice, and immediate shooting....
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What is the U11 category?
The U11 category corresponds to children aged 10-11 years, who generally play on the equivalent of half an 11-a-side field. At this age, the coach's goal is primarily to develop coordination, motor skills, and the technical skills of young players. An initial introduction to some tactical elements can also be offered. When preparing your U11 training sessions, be sure to keep these different aspects in mind. Remember that fun is a fundamental concept at this age, so be mindful of how you conduct your U11 exercises.
A U11 player is still at the early stages of their soccer journey. The goal as a coach is to awaken the different qualities and profile of each player by offering training and types of sessions that are fun yet constructive.
Are you coaching a U11 team and looking for advice on how to structure your training sessions or the different exercises to offer your players? You are in the right place! To best help you prepare a training session suitable for U11, here is a detailed and easy-to-implement guide for your sessions.
The objectives of the U11 category in soccer
U11 players, aged 10 to 11 years, still play on a half-field. At this age, the focus for each coach is generally on developing team spirit, motor skills, and ball control while gradually introducing technical elements (dribbling, juggling, etc.). An introduction to basic tactical concepts, such as positioning and decision-making, can also be offered progressively at this age.
Your number one goal as a coach? Maintain a pedagogical approach in your U11 training to stimulate learning while keeping each child's interest and the fun aspect. At this age, sessions should still be centered around mini-games built around soccer, in teams, and preferably offered at the end of training to finish on a more enjoyable note.
Some tips for coaching a U11 team
Training U11s should be intelligently built around several key elements: discovery, the basics of soccer, and creativity. The goal is to understand each young player, their preferences in terms of position, exercises, style of play, personality, etc. The choice of U11 exercises is then crucial to promote the development and highlighting of these different elements.
What training exercises for U11s?
The exercises should be designed to improve both the individual skills of each player while emphasizing team play. Activities like agility courses, dribbling workshops, and small-sided games are excellent for developing technique and tactical understanding. It is also beneficial to integrate games that encourage quick decision-making and game vision, such as themed matches, for example.
Here is a list of exercises to help you organize your training sessions:
Here is a list of exercises to help you organize your training sessions:
- Passing and oriented control square: Improvement of passing and control technique.
- Defensive techniques and interceptions: Focus on improving passes for attackers and interceptions for defenders.
- Defending a zone: Duel exercises to strengthen the defense of a designated area.
- Motor skills and ball handling: Strengthening balance, coordination, and ball control.
- Agility course with ball: To develop coordination and ball control.
- Dribbling workshops: Slaloms between cones to improve ball mastery.
- Small-sided games (3 vs 3 or 4 vs 4): Encourage team play and quick decision-making.
- Shooting exercises in front of goal: To improve shooting accuracy
Juggling, retrieving pinnies, and shooting run
12 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U13
Rhythmic drill combining juggling, enforced sprinting, and a race to shooting in a duel with a competitive spirit....
Cognitive work with colored gate choice in 1v1
10 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Series of 1v1 duels where the attacker must read the defender's choice by going through the same colored gate before going to shoot on goal....
1v1 Duel with Required Skill Move and Shooting
15 min
4-16 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
Through repeated 1v1 duels, players must beat their defender using a prescribed skill move and quickly finish with a shot on goal....
Dribbling: imitation and sequence to be repeated by the team
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Duel between two teams where one creates a sequence of dribbles through colored gates that the other must replicate without error to score points....
Right foot, left foot passing and directional control work
12 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U17
In this highly dynamic exercise, your players will be able to work on passing in various forms, emphasizing the use of both feet....
Youth Academy: Working on dribbling with the four colors game
12 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U7 - U11
Very useful in soccer school, this drill is ideal for working on dribbling and changes of direction while adding a fun aspect....
1v1 Duels with Shooting and Use of Support
15 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U11
A very simple duel exercise to set up, which allows your players, from a young age, to better understand the opponent's runs while keeping their heads up to look for a solution....
Receiving on the half-turn and dribbling with the "escape from jail" drill
12 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Fun little station to set up in a youth academy that will allow your players to work on directional control and dribbling....
Dynamic 360° Opposition with 3 Teams of 3
15 min
9-18 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
A small, highly dynamic 3v3 exercise that will help you work on game awareness in tight spaces and improve reactivity between each phase of play....
Positioning in a "Y", creating space, and shooting
20 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
Inspired by an exercise used by Vicente Del Bosque, this drill will allow you to work on offensive combinations in front of the goal as well as shooting. With several possible variations, you can add more depth to your training session....
Team relay with dribbling and acceleration
15 min
12-16 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U11
This relay race exercise is very effective for working on dribbling from a young age. It is generally very popular with the players!...
Diamond drill: high-intensity give-and-go with groups of 5
12 min
5-15 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Dynamic passing drill practiced at high intensity, it will help your players work on their movements before and after receiving the ball. Consider doubling up positions based on the number of players present during your session....
Switch of play using the central midfielder
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Ideal passing circuit to work on switching play through the central midfielder, who will drop back to offer a solution to teammates....
Slalom, give-and-go and shooting
15 min
12-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Very dynamic exercise that will allow your players to work on the off-the-ball run and information gathering before playing a through ball....
Dribbling as a team to fill your "bucket" (youth academy)
15 min
6-21 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U11
Fun drill to work on dribbling with younger players. Remember to keep score to create healthy competition....
One-two pass combinations with 2 teams then shooting
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Used in soccer school, this drill will allow your players to work on attacking combinations in tight spaces. Numerous variations are possible....
Information gathering and cognitive work in Youth academy
12 min
4-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Often overlooked in youth soccer, cognitive training is nevertheless essential. This drill will allow your players to work on information processing with a color-based game while being constantly in contact with the ball....
The River Goalkeepers: dribbling and duels in youth academy
15 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U6 - U11
Ideal drill in soccer school to work on dribbling and familiarize players with duels in a fun way with the famous "river keepers"....
Hunter game with perception and coordination work (youth academy)
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U7 - U12
Ideal hunter exercise in soccer school, using visual cues to enhance cognitive perception among young players. A very fun drill that players generally enjoy....
Diamond passing circuit with give and go variation
18 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
Passing sequence in a diamond shape with off-the-ball run and dribbling, this drill will allow your players to primarily work on their passing quality and movements before and after receiving the ball. Numerous variations are possible....
Passing sequence on the run followed by shooting
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
This exercise is quite simple to set up and is highly appreciated in soccer schools. It will allow you to work on the final pass into the run as well as play facing the goal (with and without control)....
1v1 Distance Duels on Mini Goals
15 min
6-14 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Ideal drill in soccer school to work on speed, decision-making, and listening. Combine this with ball control and shooting practice, and you have a complete and fun drill for your players....
Double sequence of passes in hourglass and diamond formation
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Passing work on this double circuit with a multitude of possible combinations, which will also allow for concentration training....
Tiki Taka: passing game with 2 central players
12 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
This exercise is a variation of the famous "6 cones game" specific to Tiki Taka training. It is a passing circuit with 2 central players with numerous variations, ideal for soccer academies....
The 4-Step Clock: Passing and Dribbling
15 min
8-24 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Fun exercise ideal for soccer school (from U11 to U13), it will allow your players to work on dribbling while keeping their heads up. Several variations are possible for this drill....
Dribbling in figure 8 then 1v1 duel
15 min
4-14 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
This exercise is quite simple to set up and will allow your players to work on dribbling and improve their concentration level, while fostering a healthy competitive spirit....
Passing sequence with double one-two pass in a group of 3
12 min
5-20 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Passing drill in the form of a double triangle that will allow your players to work on passing from different angles. In terms of progression, you can add your own touch with an auditory or visual signal....
The pickpocket game: dribbling and decision-making
12 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Ideal animation game in soccer school to work on dribbling with decision-making. This exercise will allow your players to progress in a fun way....
The hourglass: passing game and dribbling
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U8 - U13
Perfect for youth soccer training, the hourglass drill will help your players develop their passing and dribbling skills while varying the angles and surfaces of the foot used....
Passing drills with lateral support and high support
12 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Passing circuit with variations to work on all surfaces of the foot, ideal for youth categories such as U11 or U13....
3-Pass Drill with Forward Progression
15 min
3-18 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Simple and effective, this ideal exercise for youth soccer will allow you to work on passing technique while offering your players numerous variations....
Pass into the run and shooting work
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Repetition drill focused on the final pass and shooting, it is ideal for U11, U12, or U13 teams to work on body positioning and ball handling....
Passing game work in a square with a central pivot
12 min
7-14 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
A very simple passing drill to set up, but with almost infinite variations. Ideal for soccer schools, it combines quality technique, game intelligence, and movement in tight spaces....
Passing and layoff work in groups of 4
12 min
4-24 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Simple drill to set up for working on the short passing game in 8v8 play, ideal for youth categories to increase touches on the ball. Numerous variations possible....
Off-the-ball run with a change of direction in a passing circuit with a shot on goal
10 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U13
Used by youth teams at Bayern Munich, this drill is ideal for working on passing as a whole, as well as your players' movements before and after receiving the ball....
Square of passes and directional controls
10 min
4-12 joueurs
Technical
U7 - U14
Simple yet effective, this square drill used by Pep Guardiola with FC Barcelona's B team is ideal for starting a session. The variations are then endless....
Precision and speed of ball movement (1)
16 min
10-15 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
Quick passing drill, your players work on precision and speed of ball movement....
Drop-off and ball control
15 min
12-14 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U15
Ideal exercise to practice the back-pedal technique (defense) and dribbling (attack) with a point system to instill a good competitive spirit....
Defensive Techniques: Working on Interception
20 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U15
Exercise designed to improve both the quality of passes for attackers and the quality of interceptions for defenders. An ideal exercise for improving defensive positioning....
Motor skills and ball control to improve footwork and balance
12 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Excellent exercise to improve footwork and balance for U11 or U13 players. Use the competitive spirit to create enthusiasm....
Oriented Controls – Ground Balls and Aerial Balls
15 min
12-15 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U15
By asking the players to switch positions and position themselves correctly to receive the ball, your players practice anticipating and looking up before the teammate's pass and before controlling the ball....
Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 3)
12 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U15
Ideal exercise for practicing duel techniques: dribbling and acceleration with the ball (offensive); backpedaling and positioning of the attacker (defensive)...
Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 2)
12 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U15
Ideal exercise for practicing 1v1 techniques: dribbling and acceleration with the ball (offensive); backpedaling and positioning of the attacker (defensive)...
Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 1)
12 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U15
Ideal exercise for practicing duel techniques: dribbling and accelerating with the ball (offensive); backpedaling and positioning the attacker (defensive)...
Shot on the move without control
15 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U11 - U15
Excellent exercise to work on shooting without control and on the move with your players. Game awareness is essential in this type of drill, so remember to remind your players!...
Play in Space and Switches of Play
15 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U14
With this exercise, your players can calmly practice switching sides and playing in space with or without the ball. The possibility of scoring in multiple goals also enhances concentration for defenders and creativity for attackers....
1v1 Duel and Wing Play
20 min
10-14 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
Excellent exercise for practicing 1v1 duels on the flanks with an attacker’s feint and shooting situation....
1v1 Duel with Chasing Defender
15 min
12-14 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U14
By giving a slight disadvantage to the defenders, this 1v1 drill helps work on both ball control at full speed for the attacker and delayed defensive situations for the defender....
Ball control in varied situations and combined shooting
12 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
By requiring your players to use both feet and different contact surfaces in various situations, this drill is ideal for working on dribbling and ball control, as well as shooting in succession....
Dribbling then cross: right foot, left foot
15 min
8-14 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
Practice crosses with this easy-to-set-up drill that allows for good rotation when you have a large number of players....
1v1 Duels and Defensive Positioning
15 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U9 - U13
Exercise focused on defensive technique: how to effectively defend when positioned against an attacker in a 1v1? Numerous repetitions to enhance learning....
4v4 and off-the-ball runs into space
15 min
8-10 joueurs
Technical
U10 - U15
With this 4v4 enhanced by off-the-ball runs and duels in the box, this drill is perfect for working on both offensive and defensive technique....
Other theme U11 soccer drills
U11 Conditioning soccer drills
- Agility and Shooting
- Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
- Agility and game awareness: The cone drill in youth academy
U11 Small-sided games soccer drills
- 4v4 Possession Game with Central Square
- 2v1 Rondo in two zones
- Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload