U22 Soccer Drills
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Soccer Tactics
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Depth - Preparatory drill for the seek of depth through striker's cuts
Passing
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of passes with combinations between several players
Transition
Flying 3 vs 2
Flying 3 vs 2
Transition - Small-sided game to train power play: training transitions and playing speed
Pressing
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing - Simplified game to train pressing and prevent counterattack
Depth
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Depth - Preparatory drill for the seek of depth through striker's cuts
Shooting
Three-player combination, through ball and finishing
Three-player combination, through ball and finishing
Shooting - 3-player tactical build-up pattern with combination of passes for conclusion on goal
Possession
8 v 8 + 4 jokers in a hexagon - Mikel Arteta
8 v 8 + 4 jokers in a hexagon - Mikel Arteta
Possession - Mikel Arteta’s drill to train players to seek numerical superiority during ball possession
Shooting
Combination between several players and shooting - Atlético Madrid
Combination between several players and shooting - Atlético Madrid
Shooting - Exercise with combination of passes between several players and shooting from a frontal position
1v1
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
1v1 - Rondo 3 v 1, plus 1 v 1 situation on the lateral band for crossing into the box and finishing on goal
2v1
Lateral 2 v 1 situation: countermovements and body positioning of the defender
Lateral 2 v 1 situation: countermovements and body positioning of the defender
2v1 - Lateral 2 v 1 situation that allows to focus on the timing and unmarking movements of the wing
Shooting
Finishing from a cross pass
Finishing from a cross pass
Shooting - Three drills to train forwards to finish from cross passes
Creating space
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Creating space - Analytical drill by Marcelo Bielsa to train the forward to lure the opponent out of their zone and then exploit the space created
Throw-in
Finishing starting from a throw-in
Finishing starting from a throw-in
Throw-in - Game situation starting from a throw-in to arrive at the conclusion on goal either directly or after a cross
Attacking Principles
Finishing and unmarking timing of attackers
Finishing and unmarking timing of attackers
Attacking Principles - Matching and opposite movements of two attackers for finishing
Passing
Conditioned game: attack against defense
Conditioned game: attack against defense
Passing - The exercise improves ball circulation under pressure and free space management
Possession
7 v 3 rondo: mobility + inside player - Club Atlético de Madrid
7 v 3 rondo: mobility + inside player - Club Atlético de Madrid
Possession - 7 v 3 rondo with 6 players + 1 inside player to train mobility during ball possession
Transition
3 v 3 for Transitions
3 v 3 for Transitions
Transition - Small-sided game to improve ball possession and transitions from defensive to offensive phase
Running with the ball
Running with the ball and 2v2
Running with the ball and 2v2
Running with the ball - Technical-motor circuit for ball driving and control with final 2v2 situation
Creating space
Spanish Game: 3 v 3
Spanish Game: 3 v 3
Creating space - 3 v 3 game for younger age groups with the objective of finishing on small goals
2v2
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2v2 - 2 v 2 game situation with defender's high pressing for ball recovery
Ball handling
Evaluation of trajectories with different balls
Evaluation of trajectories with different balls
Ball handling - Exercise with balls of different weights and sizes so that the trajectory is variable
1v1
1 v 1 duels with three objectives
1 v 1 duels with three objectives
1v1 - 1 v 1 drill to practice dribbling under pressure during the finishing phase and the transition phase
3v2
3 vs 2 - Receive, orienting and developing in depth or width
3 vs 2 - Receive, orienting and developing in depth or width
3v2 - Simplified game 3 vs 2 with the aim of passing to depth or width according with the teammates or opponents movements
1v1
Kick and defend: running with the ball, dribbling and finishing
Kick and defend: running with the ball, dribbling and finishing
1v1 - Exercise that trains ball driving, 1 v 1 and goal shooting
Positional game + progression: 2-man pressure
Playing out from the back - Exercise to train build-up from the back while avoiding 2-man pressure
Creating space
3 v 3 plus 2 jokers: width
3 v 3 plus 2 jokers: width
Creating space - Situational game to train playing in numerical superiority by exploiting width
Running with the ball
Robin Hood: driving the ball at speed - Ajax AFC
Robin Hood: driving the ball at speed - Ajax AFC
Running with the ball - Driving the ball at speed with fun elements for players
Education
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Education - What is bio-banding? What is the theoretical basis of bio-banding? How do we identify the stages of growth in soccer players? Let's find that out in this article.
Dribbling
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling - Improve dribbling and close control in spaces of different sizes
Basic motor skills
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Basic motor skills - Motor station with cognitive inputs to train speed and speed of processing in 1 v 1
Passing
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Passing - Improve players' technique by also stimulating peripheral vision
Dribbling
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Dribbling - Ball control with dribbling and shooting trying a running technique
Shooting
Competition of shots on goal
Competition of shots on goal
Shooting - Team challenge on shots on goal with different types of stops and ball control
1v1
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
1v1 - Practice for fast ball driving and goal shooting with 1 v 1 situation (attack and defend)
Running with the ball
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Running with the ball - Cognitive drill with the ball for Youth Academies
Running with the ball
Game: Numbered squares corner
Game: Numbered squares corner
Running with the ball - Game proposal for basic activity to train carrying the ball inside a square
Passing
Decision making ability: under pressure passes
Decision making ability: under pressure passes
Passing - Exercise to train quick decision making under pressure
Education
The importance of intellectual stimulations
The importance of intellectual stimulations
Education - Raise a "thinking player" thanks to many stimuli offered by futsal playing situations
Transition
Thematic match: preventative marking
Thematic match: preventative marking
Transition - Thematic game to train players in preventative marking when in possession of the ball
Creating space
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Creating space - Analytical drill by Marcelo Bielsa to train the forward to lure the opponent out of their zone and then exploit the space created
Passing
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of passes with combinations between several players
Anaerobic lactic
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Anaerobic lactic - SSG to be offered in multiple age groups by applying due consideration (number of sets and repetitions, size of the field, number of players, increased attention to joint mobility and endurance)
Education
Attention: Is it my problem?
Attention: Is it my problem?
Education - Kids are often labeled as energetic, rowdy, distracted when in reality the problem could be the way we communicate and manage practices
Education
Effective communication between the coach and the team: Obstacles and strategies to promote a constructive dialogue - Part 1
Effective communication between the coach and the team: Obstacles and strategies to promote a constructive dialogue - Part 1
Education - Communication between the coach and the team is not a spontaneous process, it requires the right approach and constant effort
Anaerobic alactic
4 v 4 with goalkeepers + speed endurance
4 v 4 with goalkeepers + speed endurance
Anaerobic alactic - Small-sided game integrated into a session with the aim of lactacid conditioning
Education
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Education - What is bio-banding? What is the theoretical basis of bio-banding? How do we identify the stages of growth in soccer players? Let's find that out in this article.
Nutrition
Are food supplements useful? When and how to use them
Are food supplements useful? When and how to use them
Nutrition - Is it necessary to use food supplements in sports? Let's dive into this increasingly popular topic
Nutrition
Nutritional Strategies In Half Time
Nutritional Strategies In Half Time
Nutrition - What foods are recommended to obtain a good performance in the second half? The nutritionist’s advice
Education
Muscle cramps: What they are and what to do when they occur
Muscle cramps: What they are and what to do when they occur
Education - Cramps are quite frequent on soccer fields and affect both professional and amateur players: why do they occur and how can you deal with them?
Education
Skeletal muscle tissue: what is it and how does it work?
Skeletal muscle tissue: what is it and how does it work?
Education - This brief text describes the striated skeletal muscle, i.e., the muscle that permits movement!
Attacking Principles
4-3-3 - Attacking development to shooting
4-3-3 - Attacking development to shooting
Attacking Principles - Combination proposal to get to shooting after a rejection by an opponent defender
Game construction for 4-3-3 system: Holding Midfielder free to play and Side Midfielder centralizing
Playing out from the back - Game construction proposal for 4-3-3 system with Holding Midfielder free to play and Internal Midfielder's insertion
Match Analysis
The importance of marking in the defensive phase
The importance of marking in the defensive phase
Match Analysis - The Chukwueze-Zalewski case in AC Milan vs FC Inter match
Match Analysis
Leicester vs Tottenham: a tactical analysis
Leicester vs Tottenham: a tactical analysis
Match Analysis - How Leicester capitalized on Tottenham’s defensive lapses and dynamic transitions to create offensive threats
Corner kick
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick - Build-up from a corner kick with short play and subsequent block to free the player that shoots from outside the area
Indirect free kick
Lateral free kick: long ball on the second post
Lateral free kick: long ball on the second post
Indirect free kick - Game plan for lateral free kick with zone defense
Goalkeeping
Ball possession with passback to the goalkeeper
Ball possession with passback to the goalkeeper
Goalkeeping - Exercise about possession with the objective of passing to goalkeeper, who defends their area learning to participate actively in the game with teammates
Passing
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of passes with combinations between several players
Transition
Flying 3 vs 2
Flying 3 vs 2
Transition - Small-sided game to train power play: training transitions and playing speed
Pressing
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing - Simplified game to train pressing and prevent counterattack
Depth
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Depth - Preparatory drill for the seek of depth through striker's cuts
Shooting
Three-player combination, through ball and finishing
Three-player combination, through ball and finishing
Shooting - 3-player tactical build-up pattern with combination of passes for conclusion on goal
Possession
8 v 8 + 4 jokers in a hexagon - Mikel Arteta
8 v 8 + 4 jokers in a hexagon - Mikel Arteta
Possession - Mikel Arteta’s drill to train players to seek numerical superiority during ball possession
Shooting
Combination between several players and shooting - Atlético Madrid
Combination between several players and shooting - Atlético Madrid
Shooting - Exercise with combination of passes between several players and shooting from a frontal position
1v1
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
1v1 - Rondo 3 v 1, plus 1 v 1 situation on the lateral band for crossing into the box and finishing on goal
2v1
Lateral 2 v 1 situation: countermovements and body positioning of the defender
Lateral 2 v 1 situation: countermovements and body positioning of the defender
2v1 - Lateral 2 v 1 situation that allows to focus on the timing and unmarking movements of the wing
Shooting
Finishing from a cross pass
Finishing from a cross pass
Shooting - Three drills to train forwards to finish from cross passes
Creating space
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Creating space - Analytical drill by Marcelo Bielsa to train the forward to lure the opponent out of their zone and then exploit the space created
Throw-in
Finishing starting from a throw-in
Finishing starting from a throw-in
Throw-in - Game situation starting from a throw-in to arrive at the conclusion on goal either directly or after a cross
Attacking Principles
Finishing and unmarking timing of attackers
Finishing and unmarking timing of attackers
Attacking Principles - Matching and opposite movements of two attackers for finishing
Passing
Conditioned game: attack against defense
Conditioned game: attack against defense
Passing - The exercise improves ball circulation under pressure and free space management
Possession
7 v 3 rondo: mobility + inside player - Club Atlético de Madrid
7 v 3 rondo: mobility + inside player - Club Atlético de Madrid
Possession - 7 v 3 rondo with 6 players + 1 inside player to train mobility during ball possession
Transition
3 v 3 for Transitions
3 v 3 for Transitions
Transition - Small-sided game to improve ball possession and transitions from defensive to offensive phase
Running with the ball
Running with the ball and 2v2
Running with the ball and 2v2
Running with the ball - Technical-motor circuit for ball driving and control with final 2v2 situation
Creating space
Spanish Game: 3 v 3
Spanish Game: 3 v 3
Creating space - 3 v 3 game for younger age groups with the objective of finishing on small goals
2v2
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2v2 - 2 v 2 game situation with defender's high pressing for ball recovery
Ball handling
Evaluation of trajectories with different balls
Evaluation of trajectories with different balls
Ball handling - Exercise with balls of different weights and sizes so that the trajectory is variable
1v1
1 v 1 duels with three objectives
1 v 1 duels with three objectives
1v1 - 1 v 1 drill to practice dribbling under pressure during the finishing phase and the transition phase
3v2
3 vs 2 - Receive, orienting and developing in depth or width
3 vs 2 - Receive, orienting and developing in depth or width
3v2 - Simplified game 3 vs 2 with the aim of passing to depth or width according with the teammates or opponents movements
1v1
Kick and defend: running with the ball, dribbling and finishing
Kick and defend: running with the ball, dribbling and finishing
1v1 - Exercise that trains ball driving, 1 v 1 and goal shooting
Positional game + progression: 2-man pressure
Playing out from the back - Exercise to train build-up from the back while avoiding 2-man pressure
Creating space
3 v 3 plus 2 jokers: width
3 v 3 plus 2 jokers: width
Creating space - Situational game to train playing in numerical superiority by exploiting width
Running with the ball
Robin Hood: driving the ball at speed - Ajax AFC
Robin Hood: driving the ball at speed - Ajax AFC
Running with the ball - Driving the ball at speed with fun elements for players
Education
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Education - What is bio-banding? What is the theoretical basis of bio-banding? How do we identify the stages of growth in soccer players? Let's find that out in this article.
Dribbling
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling - Improve dribbling and close control in spaces of different sizes
Basic motor skills
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Basic motor skills - Motor station with cognitive inputs to train speed and speed of processing in 1 v 1
Passing
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Passing - Improve players' technique by also stimulating peripheral vision
Dribbling
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Dribbling - Ball control with dribbling and shooting trying a running technique
Shooting
Competition of shots on goal
Competition of shots on goal
Shooting - Team challenge on shots on goal with different types of stops and ball control
1v1
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
1v1 - Practice for fast ball driving and goal shooting with 1 v 1 situation (attack and defend)
Running with the ball
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Running with the ball - Cognitive drill with the ball for Youth Academies
Running with the ball
Game: Numbered squares corner
Game: Numbered squares corner
Running with the ball - Game proposal for basic activity to train carrying the ball inside a square