technical U13 soccer drills
technical U13 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the technical aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsFirst touch in the direction of play and double shooting
Shooting exercise that focuses on the importance of the first touch in the final third. Ideal for working on the attacking aspect against a team that would defend in a low block.
Discover our technical U13 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....
Progress with our drills
Join our community of amateur coaches and access 500+ premium drills with diagrams inspired by pro coaches. Get new drills every week.
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.
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....
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....
One-two pass drill against a diamond formation
15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U15
Speed of execution, work on passing and movement are key to this drill, which will require several repetitions to achieve a good rhythm....
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....
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....
Escaping a 1v2 Under Pressure: Creativity and Quickness
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U15
A small, dynamic exercise that will allow your players to express their creativity and react quickly under pressure....
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....
Training on directional control and shooting in 2 drills
15 min
10-20 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U15
Ideal shooting workshop to work on the final touch and specifically the speed during this ball control. The objective is to get into shooting position as quickly as 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....
First touch in the direction of play and double shooting
20 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U16
Shooting exercise that focuses on the importance of the first touch in the final third. Ideal for working on the attacking aspect against a team that would defend in a low block....
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....
Double square with passing combinations
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U15
Inspired by a workshop used by Vicente Del Bosque at Real Madrid, this exercise helps work on the timing of the pass as well as movements before and after receiving the ball. You can apply it as is for U12-U13 or adjust the distances to use it in other age groups....
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....
Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2
15 min
12-18 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U17
Exercise to work on attacking combinations and the final action in front of the goal. The sequence ends with a 2v2 duel, progressing to a 3v2 situation with a numerical advantage....
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....
4v1 Rondo with Zone Changes
10 min
6-24 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U17
This rondo across 2 zones involving a total of 6 players is very dynamic and offers a very engaging exercise for your players. Be sure to clearly demonstrate the drill so that the rondo is as smooth as possible....
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....
Working on playing between the lines with a passing circuit
15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U17
Ideal technical drill to grasp playing between the lines, it will enable your players to perform a technical circuit while staying constantly engaged in the game....
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....
1v1 and agility: support and change of direction
12 min
6-12 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U15
Through this 1v1 drill, your players improve their footwork and change of direction at high speed. They also practice both offensive dribbling and defensive back-pedaling....
1v1 Duel Facing the Goal
15 min
10-12 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U17
Excellent 1v1 drill allowing your players to practice both the duel as the last defender (defensive) and the duel facing the goal to finish an action (offensive)....
Passing Technique Training
12 min
12-14 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U17
Ideal drill to train your players on execution and technique for making accurate passes....
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....
Precision and speed of ball movement (2)
16 min
10-15 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U15
Quick passing drill where your players work on both the accuracy 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....
1v1 Duel: Working on Footwork and Balance
12 min
8-16 joueurs
Technical
U12 - U15
1v1 Duel Exercise with Gate Passing: Ideal for working on footwork, balance, and defensive technique....
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....
5v5 Shooting Game
20 min
10-14 joueurs
Technical
U13 - U17
Simple but incredibly effective drill to work on shooting. Find the right angle, position yourself, strike, all while simulating match situations....
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 U13 soccer drills
U13 Conditioning soccer drills
- Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
- Agility and Shooting
- Cognitive work without the ball with 1v1v1 duels
U13 Small-sided games soccer drills
- Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions
- 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
- Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates