technical U20 soccer drills

Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery

This highly dynamic drill starts with a goalkeeper's distribution followed by a series of 1v2 duels with a defender in pursuit, potentially evolving into a 3v3.

Mark out a zone of about 30x40m then place 2 large goals on each width. Next, set up 4 mini-goals in the center of the field as well as 2 cones at the same level (see animation). Finally, place a cone near each large goal. Form 2 teams of 6 players and ask them to position themselves at each cone.

The exercise will proceed as follows:

1. Everything starts with a goalkeeper's distribution to the first player (A) who will control it and then lay it off to the goalkeeper. 
2. The latter will then switch sides by finding the second player (B) on the opposite side. 
3. B performs a directional control then dribbles within the first half of the field. 
4. Player A then positions as a defender, resulting in a 1v1 on the large goal against the opposing attacker. 
5. The third player (C) starts as soon as B has made their control and will act as a chasing defender. This results in a 1v2. 

Variation: as soon as the 2v1 duels are over, you can continue with a 3v3 on the 2 large goals. Remember to limit the opposition in time (we recommend 1 minute to 1 minute 30) to maintain a high intensity.

Categories

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Sub-themes

Duels Overload Defensive recovery / Tracking back

Discover our technical U20 drills

Offensive "Y" Combination with Support Play and Shooting

15 min

5-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

Y combination work integrating layoff, support play, and shooting from the half-spaces....

Finishing Exercise from 4 Different Angles

15 min

5-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

Highly dynamic finishing exercise aimed at working on quick combinations, movements in the box, and a variety of shots from different angles....

Circuit with offensive combinations in groups of 4

20 min

10-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

This double station, inspired by a training session from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is ideal for working on positioning during attacking combinations. Emphasize the importance of positioning on the field, as well as body positioning in relation to the ball....

Layoff in one-touch play and timing of the final pass in the Spanish national team

15 min

4-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

Exercise used during a training camp with the Spanish national team, it allows your players to work on the weight and accuracy of the final pass, especially when they are facing away from the goal....

J. Klopp: Shooting drills with a give and go around the penalty area

15 min

4-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Used by Jurgen Klopp during a training session in 2021 at Liverpool, this highly intense drill allows for multiple shots around the edge of the penalty area, always in one-touch play....

Finishing drill in front of the goal by J. Klopp with a three-player play

15 min

7-21 joueurs

Technical

U20

With these 3 phases of shooting, this drill used by Jurgen Klopp will allow you to work on shooting, of course, but also the final pass and play around the penalty area....

Shooting with diamond play from the German national team

20 min

8-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

Drill used during a training session of the German national team, it will allow you to work on several different combinations in front of the goal, with a focus on diamond play....

Luis Enrique: High-Intensity Passing Sequence

12 min

4-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

Used by Luis Enrique with the Spanish national team last August, this drill will help your players improve their passing quality at high intensity and their ability to stay focused within a set time frame....

Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1

15 min

6-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

On the agenda for this exercise: shooting, decision-making, and reaction time. An exercise that players generally enjoy a lot....

Passing circuit followed by shooting on 2 colored mini goals

18 min

10-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

This passing sequence with 7 players finishing on 2 colored mini goals is ideal for working on passing in a circuit format, with a cognitive component: auditory and visual signals....

The arena: protecting your goal with defensive duels work

20 min

10-19 joueurs

Technical

U20

How to work on defensive duels? Here you will have the opportunity to tackle numerous defensive situations in 1v1 then 2v2 from different angles. A rather intense exercise!...

Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery

15 min

8-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

This highly dynamic drill starts with a goalkeeper's distribution followed by a series of 1v2 duels with a defender in pursuit, potentially evolving into a 3v3....

Jurgen Klopp's offensive combination with a double cross in front of the goal

20 min

8-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

With this passing drill that ends with a double cross in front of the goal, you will be able to work on different aspects of shooting. Remember to vary the routes whenever you have the opportunity....

Pep Guardiola's technical circuit with shooting and speed drill

15 min

8-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

Used at Bayern Munich, this technical circuit consists of a sequence of passes, mini speed drills, and concludes with shooting on a full-size goal....

Finishing exercise with diamond passing game

15 min

8-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Finishing workshop focused on the repetition of techniques with a passing circuit where you can implement many variations: changing sides, pass and follow with shooting, 2v1 situation, etc....

1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing

15 min

12-24 joueurs

Technical

U20

On the agenda: 1v1 duels followed by 2v1 with a defender in pursuit. Quick decision-making will be crucial!...

Shooting then defensive transition in 3v2

15 min

6-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Used at Liverpool, this shooting exercise with a 3v2 attacking transition is ideal for practicing classic moves and working on positioning in front of the goal....

Agility and Shooting in a 2v2 Matchup

15 min

8-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

1v1 duels with a chasing player, 2v2 matchups, and shooting on a full-size goal are part of this varied and highly dynamic drill....

1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

15 min

12-24 joueurs

Technical

U20

1v1 duels from different perspectives: first a 1v1, then a defensive transition to quickly move into a 2v1 on the large goal....

Finding the Ideal Position with Passing Sequence

12 min

8-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

Creative passing game with rules that will require your players to work on their concentration and improve their decision-making speed....

Passing Square and Quick Combinations

10 min

10-14 joueurs

Technical

U20

Used at Bayern Munich, this drill emphasizes the quality of passing and speed of execution. Recommended for U17-Seniors, it can also be adapted for younger age groups....

Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals

15 min

6-24 joueurs

Technical

U20

A small, dynamic drill that will allow your players to work on sequences in tight spaces and under pressure. Many variations are possible!...

Quickly combine around and inside the penalty area

15 min

10-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

A very interesting drill to work on attacking combinations, it will allow you to multiply sequences at high intensity. Ideal for energizing a session!...

Specific Forwards: Shooting Around the Edge of the Box

18 min

8-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Shooting drill with numerous variations, this exercise will definitely appeal to your attacking players. Directional controls, shots, quickness: it's all there!...

Forward passing circuit with one-touch layoff

15 min

10-20 joueurs

Technical

U20

Offensive combination with one-touch layoffs in a confined space, this drill used by Jürgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund) was designed to develop coordination and the final pass before shooting....

Offensive combination with short passing game, overlap, and shooting

20 min

12-21 joueurs

Technical

U20

Mix of quick offensive combination play, overlap, and shooting, this exercise used by Unai Emery at Arsenal in 2018 is ideal and can be used throughout the year....

Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting

20 min

8-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Another exercise used by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich during a public training session, this circuit is ideal for working on agility: reaction time, concentration, and footwork. Your players will not be disappointed!...

Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense

14 min

9-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Excellent technical drill for defenders to work on speed of movement, agility, and coordination. Conducted by Bayern Munich during a training session in 2013....

Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit

12 min

8-12 joueurs

Technical

U20

Drill conducted by Manchester City in 2016 during a pre-season training session, it perfectly combines numerous aspects such as athletic work, agility, shooting, and precision of passes....

3v1 Exchange, Layoff and Shooting on Full-Size Goal (Variation)

15 min

6-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Possession, forward passes, layoff, and shooting on a full-size goal. This is a variation of a passing drill that brings together all the elements to offer a quality drill to your players....

One-two pass and forward run in a passing square

10 min

5-25 joueurs

Technical

U20

Several aspects are highlighted during this exercise: passing game, directional control, and movement. Many variations are possible....

3v1 Exchange, layoff and shooting on small goal

20 min

8-24 joueurs

Technical

U20

Possession, forward passes, layoff, and shooting on a small goal. All the elements are in place to offer a quality drill to your players....

Passing game with one-touch shooting

15 min

12-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

A perfect drill to work on finishing in front of the goal with one-touch play. Ideal when you have many players at practice!...

Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure

20 min

11-22 joueurs

Technical

U20

With this drill, players are challenged to find creative solutions to maintain possession of the ball while constantly being put under pressure....

Speed of play and quickness in 6v6 with support

20 min

12-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Through a 6v6 with support players, this drill works on both the quickness of your players and ball control in high-speed play....

Short passing game and direct play with support

20 min

12-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Ideal exercise for your players to practice the short passing game and direct play, with several phases of possession under strict instructions, including a variation that allows your players more freedom....

Fast Play: Speed of Passing and Play

25 min

12-18 joueurs

Technical

U20

Through a quick play exercise with support, your players work on the speed of ball movement in the short passing game and finding the available teammate....

Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting

15 min

12-14 joueurs

Technical

U20

Excellent exercise for your forwards to practice quick combinations as well as crossing and shooting accurately....

Attacker Technique: Combination and Shooting

15 min

8-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

Ideal exercise for training your forwards on offensive combinations (in pairs and threes) and shooting in front of the goal....

Crosses and Heading with 2 Side Zones

15 min

14-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

Exercise that trains your players in both crosses and heading, by setting up 2 wide areas reserved for attacking players....

Working on Heading

12 min

4-8 joueurs

Technical

U20

Ideal exercise for practicing headers and crosses with your players, with an increase in aerial duels....

Technical work in 2v2, cross and shooting

25 min

15-17 joueurs

Technical

U20

Through a 2v2 drill ending with a shot, your players work on ball retention and recovery as well as shooting in front of the goal....

Collective play in deflection: movement and availability

20 min

14-16 joueurs

Technical

U20

Through a 4v4 passing game with the possibility of support, your players work on layoff play and following their movements to remain available. They also practice keeping their heads up and gathering information....

Forwards: Agility and precision of shots without control

20 min

10-12 joueurs

Technical

U20

By having players practice shooting without controlling the ball at the end of a run, they work on both their quickness and speed of execution in ball control, as well as their accuracy in front of goal....

Getting Open and Combinations in Front of Goal

15 min

8-10 joueurs

Technical

U20

By asking your players to combine on one side, they practice getting open and being available for their teammates. They also work on shooting and quick consecutive passes....

Back pass and 2v2 at the edge of the penalty area

15 min

10-12 joueurs

Technical

U20

Back pass followed by a 2v2 near the penalty area. An exercise your players will definitely enjoy!...

Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run

14 min

8-14 joueurs

Technical

U20

Pass into the run, dribbling, cross, and off-the-ball run to the near post... All the elements are combined in this drill to train your players under the best conditions!...