warm-up U13 soccer drills

warm-up U13 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the warm-up aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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4-player passing sequence with scanning

Ideal for youth soccer, this exercise, seemingly very simple, will allow your players to work on their awareness and passing quality.

Animation: 4-player passing sequence with scanning
Using cones, set up triangles of approximately 15m per side, so that the triangles overlap. Then form teams of 4 players: 1 player at each cone and the last player at the first cone (with the ball).

The sequence will proceed as follows:
  1. The 1st player A will play to the 2nd player B.
  2. The latter controls, then plays to the 3rd player C.
  3. C controls and then makes a pass to the 4th player D, and so on.
  4. A takes B's place, B takes C's place, and C returns to the starting point.

Progression

Once the sequence is well established, you can offer several variations to your players:
  • Change the direction of play arbitrarily in the middle of the sequence.
  • Add double one-two passes after each pass to make the exercise even more challenging.
  • Modify the position of the cones to create even more “crossing” between the players.

Very simple in appearance, this exercise is ideal for working on game awareness, due to the placement and overlapping of the different triangles. The game awareness in this exercise centered around a passing sequence will help players better read ball trajectories and anticipate the movements of their opponents as well as those of their teammates.

U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15

Passes Scanning

Discover our warm-up U13 drills

Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball

Diamond: layoff, switch of play, and through ball

10 min
5-15 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U15
Diamond passing sequence incorporating a short layoff, a one-two pass, a switch of play, and a pass into the run to attack the depth....
4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players

4vs4+1: corner-to-corner possession with fixed support players

10 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
4v4+1 possession exercise where the team in possession must connect their corner players by making a minimum number of passes in the central area....
Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games

Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games

12 min
14-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - Seniors
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4

Information Gathering on a Sequence of Passes in 4v4

15 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
Perfect warm-up exercise to work on information gathering before, during, and after the pass. It will require your players to be attentive to their surroundings while emphasizing the technical aspect of passing....
Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares

Cognitive work with a passing game on 4 squares

12 min
9-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it allows for concentration and cognitive development while promoting ball use and movement in space....
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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: 
  1. Avoid "physical" training as you are used to practicing. Favor exercises for agility, endurance, and flexibility to promote psychomotor development.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
Dynamic Warm-up with Passing, Slalom, and Dribbling

Dynamic Warm-up with Passing, Slalom, and Dribbling

15 min
8-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U15
Used during a training session at FC Barcelona, this highly dynamic warm-up will allow your players to quickly increase their intensity....
Passing game work with a square of 6 players

Passing game work with a square of 6 players

15 min
6-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U15
This exercise allows you to work on passing from different angles. It is very easy to set up and can be used as a warm-up or a technical drill within your session....
Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering

Double rondo with game awareness and information gathering

10 min
9-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
This exercise is quite simple to set up but is highly appreciated by players during a warm-up in a session with a technical focus....
Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go

Passing Circuit with Triple One-Two Pass and Give-and-Go

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U15
Used within youth teams at Bayern Munich, this passing circuit is an ideal warm-up to work on positioning and movement before and after receiving the ball....
4-player passing sequence with scanning

4-player passing sequence with scanning

12 min
12-24 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U15
Ideal for youth soccer, this exercise, seemingly very simple, will allow your players to work on their awareness and passing quality....
Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play

Short passing game, direct play on a passing sequence with switch of play

15 min
7-19 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
This drill, structured as a passing sequence with a double triangle, is perfect for working on alternating between short passing game and direct play. The team chemistry will be on point!...
Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas

Warm-up with neutral support in the wide areas

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U15
8v8 warm-up drill to work on using width with 2 neutral players in the channels. Ideal for starting a session on the theme of space occupation....
Ball control and triangle play in youth academy

Ball control and triangle play in youth academy

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U6 - U13
Fun dribbling drill ideal for soccer school with triangular zones and defenders who will do everything to touch the attackers....
Warm-up with the ball: sequence of passes in groups of 3 with opening

Warm-up with the ball: sequence of passes in groups of 3 with opening

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
A very simple drill to set up that allows you to work on a passing sequence while being attentive to the movements around you....
One-two pass game on a square of 4

One-two pass game on a square of 4

12 min
4-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
Ideal for a warm-up or technical drill in a soccer school, this passing exercise will allow you to implement numerous variations and add your personal touch....
Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

Triangle passing sequence and dribbling through gates

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
Drill in the form of a predetermined passing sequence and dribbling with various possible variations. Perfect for youth soccer or as a warm-up....
Fun Warm-up: Dribbling and Ball Control in Tight Spaces

Fun Warm-up: Dribbling and Ball Control in Tight Spaces

10 min
5-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
A very simple drill to set up that will allow young players to maximize their touches on the ball in a small space and under pressure. Perfect for the start of a session....
Passing circle: ball control, dribble, pass and follow

Passing circle: ball control, dribble, pass and follow

12 min
8-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U8 - U13
Ideal warm-up that allows players to get in condition with the ball while activating different muscle groups. Players work on their first touch, dribbling, and passing....
Heading practice in double circle (warm-up with ball)

Heading practice in double circle (warm-up with ball)

10 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U13
Ideal warm-up exercise to improve heading accuracy and overall coordination. We recommend it as a warm-up, and you can also use it during technical skill work....
Warm-up: 2v2 positioning work

Warm-up: 2v2 positioning work

15 min
6-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U15
Ideal warm-up drill for your players to improve in 2v2 situations, particularly on positioning in such scenarios....
Warm-up: team ball possession

Warm-up: team ball possession

20 min
10-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U10 - U15
Ideal warm-up drill to practice team ball retention, focusing on movement and passing accuracy....
Warm-up: Passing drills and 1v1 training

Warm-up: Passing drills and 1v1 training

20 min
16-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U12 - U17
Warm-up drill to work your players on short passing, direct play, and ball recovery in 1v1 situations....
Warm-up: ball passing work

Warm-up: ball passing work

8 min
5-10 joueurs
Warm-up
U13 - U17
Excellent warm-up drill for ball control to practice touches and passes....
Warm-up: Directional ball control on the ground

Warm-up: Directional ball control on the ground

15 min
4-8 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
Comprehensive warm-up exercise to improve your players on various types of directional control and work on passing in youth soccer training....
Technical warm-up: directional control and pass

Technical warm-up: directional control and pass

12 min
3-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
Through a sequence of directional control and pass, this exercise, ideal for warm-up, works on ball mastery while being simple to set up....
Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing

Warm-up: sequence, control, dribbling, and passing

10 min
10-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U13
Through a simple sequence of control-dribble-pass, this exercise, ideal for warm-up, allows players to work on the basics while staying in motion....
Passing and directional control work

Passing and directional control work

9 min
3-12 joueurs
Warm-up
U9 - U14
Work on passing and directional control with this simple yet incredibly effective drill!...

Other theme U13 soccer drills

U13 Conditioning soccer drills

  1. Agility and Shooting
  2. Mastery of footwork, balance, and body control - without the ball
  3. Cognitive ability with agility work and color play
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U13 Small-sided games soccer drills

  1. 3v3 with a neutral player and central support – stop-ball and overlaps
  2. Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals
  3. 2v1 Rondo in two zones
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U13 Tactical soccer drills

  1. Zonal Defense in 6v6: Marking, Cover, and Balance
  2. Protecting a Defensive Zone
  3. Compact defense with a back three in a reduced central area
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U13 Technical soccer drills

  1. 1v1 Distance Duels on Mini Goals
  2. Tiki Taka: passing game with 2 central players
  3. Passing Technique Training
See all