warm-up U15 soccer drills

warm-up U15 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 U15 drills

Passing Sequence with Directional Touches and Forward Play

Passing Sequence with Directional Touches and Forward Play

10 min
5-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U14 - U17
Sequential drill aimed at receiving behind the mannequin, directing the first touch in the direction of play, and following up with a forward pass....
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....
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....
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....
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The U15 exercises can encompass many themes, but we advise you to focus on the basics: movement, control-pass, and game understanding. These will be the foundations for your players for many years to come. Make sure to animate your U15 training sessions well, as this will help maintain a motivating pace for your players.

The U15 category in soccer, which includes players aged 14-15 and is also known as under 15, marks an important stage in a young player's learning. Indeed, they transition from understanding the sport to a more competitive and rigorous aspect. This development period is characterized by a significant increase in the players' technical, tactical, and physical skills, all linked to maximum game mastery and understanding of its stakes.

What is the U15 category in soccer?


The U15 category in soccer includes players under 15 who practice this sport. At this age, players are generally in full adolescence, which implies significant changes both physically, emotionally, and socially.

On the field, this translates to an increase in size, strength, and coordination. Tactical game concepts are also more easily grasped, allowing you, as a coach, to vary your training approach.

The objectives of the U15 category


The main objective of the U15 category in soccer is to prepare players for higher levels of competition they will encounter in upcoming seasons. The goal is to continue their progress as athletes but also as individuals.

Other objectives may stem from the main one, including: 
  1. Perfecting individual technical skills like dribbles, controls, shots, and passes.
  2. Developing a true tactical understanding of the game through both defensive and offensive movements, not forgetting game awareness.
  3. Strengthening the physical condition of growing players: endurance, speed, strength, and agility.
  4. Promoting sports values like fair play, respect for teammates, opponents, and referees.
  5. Expressing player leadership and helping them understand their responsibilities.
  6. Preparing players for higher competitions by offering complex and pressure-filled game situations.

Some tips for coaching a U15 team


Coaching a U15 team requires a dynamic and personalized approach to discover the potential of each of your players, who individually do not grow in the same way. Here are some tips we can give you: 
  • Set clear expectations in terms of behavior, commitment, and performance while creating a positive and stimulating training environment.
  • Design varied and progressive training sessions that emphasize the development of technical, tactical, and physical skills.
  • Encourage autonomy and responsibility among players by giving them leadership roles and promoting their involvement in session planning and evaluation.
  • Provide constructive and individualized feedback to help players identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Integrate elements of mental preparation and stress management to help players face competition challenges and develop resilience.

What training exercises for U15s?


As with all categories, it is important for you to adapt your training sessions based on your group's level.

Here are some examples: 
  1. Ball possession exercises with quick transitions to improve decision-making and coordination.
  2. Set up combinations and triangle plays to promote team play and communication.
  3. Work on shooting with realistic game situations to improve offensive efficiency in front of the goal.
  4. Offer small-sided games with specific rules to stimulate creativity and problem-solving among players.
  5. Improve individual and collective defense with marking exercises and pressing.

In summary, the U15 category in soccer marks a true turning point in soccer learning. Adolescents grow and develop their game, skills, and understanding of the sport to play at higher levels in upcoming seasons.
Unai Emery: small warm-up game in a triangle

Unai Emery: small warm-up game in a triangle

10 min
6-24 joueurs
Warm-up
U14 - U17
Used by Unai Emery during his time at FC Sevilla in 2013, this warm-up is ideal for starting a session focused on playing between the lines....
Passing drills with one-touch play and supporting player

Passing drills with one-touch play and supporting player

15 min
16-24 joueurs
Warm-up
U14 - U17
Small one-touch play combination exercise, ideal for a warm-up or a technical workshop during a session focused on passing. Numerous variations possible....
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....
Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work

Warm-up Circuit: Speed and Agility Work

15 min
10-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U14 - U17
Used by Unai Emery during a training session at Arsenal, this drill aims to work on speed, coordination, and overall mobility. Ideal as a warm-up!...
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....
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....

Other theme U15 soccer drills

U15 Conditioning soccer drills

  1. Athletic training: slalom and ball control in 2 columns
  2. Athletic work in 30-15 with the ball on 4 stations
  3. High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
See all

U15 Small-sided games soccer drills

  1. 5v2 possession game with dribbling exit
  2. Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones
  3. Possession game in 2 zones with role change
See all

U15 Tactical soccer drills

  1. Interception and forward ball control in 4v3
  2. Attacking transition: recovery and retention
  3. Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery
See all

U15 Technical soccer drills

  1. Working on Duels: Offensive and Defensive Techniques (Version 2)
  2. Layoff in one-touch play during a passing sequence
  3. Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals
See all