Protect Your Goal #1 - U16
Protect Your Goal #1 - U16
Dynamic Warm Up

Organization:
Area: 20y x 10y
Create two rows of players who work in pairs during the exercise.
Players jog around the cone and back, followed by performing a variety of dynamic movements, such as heel kicks, knee lifts, side steps, karaoke steps, skipping (include arm movements), backwards jogging and running, bounding steps, plant and cuts and so forth.
When working with couples add shoulder bumps, circling around partner.
Finish with several sprints of varying intensity.
Variation: Finish the warmup with a tag game.
Coaching Points:
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Proper execution of the movements.
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Focus and concentration.
Ball Mastery

Organization
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Area: 10 x 10 yards
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Setup: Each player has a ball and dribbles freely inside the grid.
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Activity: The coach stands outside the grid and calls out a 1v1 move, fast footwork skill, or turning move.
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Players immediately perform the skill, then resume dribbling at a pace faster than walking.
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Use juggling as an active rest or recovery activity.
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Variation
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Instead of the coach, a player can call out the skill or command.
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Add additional cues such as “Take Over”, “Speed Dribble”, or others — encourage creativity.
Focus Points
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Dribbling Skills: Keep the ball close and under control.
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Turning Skills: Use both feet and multiple turns (inside, outside, drag back, Cruyff, etc.).
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1v1 Moves: Execute with speed and confidence.
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Ball Mastery: Continuous touches, rhythm, and coordination.
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Spatial Awareness: Dribble into open space, avoid bunching, and maintain awareness of others.
1v1, Block Shots

Organization:
Area: 12y x 10y
Set up a small field with a large goal on one endline and large cones on the other. The defender passes the ball from the halfway line to start the 1v1. The attacker tries to score on the large goal. After winning the ball, the defender scores by dribbling over the endline. Switch positions after each turn.
Variation: Use a GK and rotate positions; the attacker becomes the GK, the GK the defender, and the defender the attacker.
Game: Keep individual or team scores.
Focus Points:
Defending
- Block shots.
- Protect your own goal.
- Pressure the ball and win it back.
Attacking
- Touch the ball forward as you receive and try to score as quickly as possible.
- If the shot is not possible, beat the defender with a 1v1 move.
Transition Defending to Attacking
- After winning the ball, quickly score with a dribble over the endline.
Transition Attacking to Defending
- Immediate reaction and try to win the ball back as quickly as possible.
2v2 With Counter Attacking

Organization:
Area: 20y x 30y
The teams play 2v2+GK. A defender begins play by dribbling the ball onto the field and making a 1v1 move before passing the ball across to an attacker. The turn ends when a goal is scored or the ball goes over the end line. Continue the game when the goalkeeper makes a save. When the ball goes over the sideline, players can pass or dribble the ball back in. Players switch sides after each turn. Rotate goalkeepers every couple minutes.
Game: Keep track of the score. Switch sides after six minutes.
Focus Points:
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Dribbling technique.
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1v1 moves.
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Passing technique.
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Shooting technique.
Attacking
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Keep the field wide.
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Go for 1v1 move or pass?
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Creative runs, overlaps, give and go.
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Finishing.
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Value the ball.
Defending
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First defender runs to the attacker with the ball, but not too wild. Don't get beat with a pass or 1v1 move. Pressure the ball.
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The second defender gives cover to the first defender.
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The first defender can force the ball to the sides or to towards the other second defender.
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The first defender can turn the 1v1 into a 2v1 (defender + goalkeeper) by forcing the attacker with the ball to the sideline. Make the angle for the shot as small as possible. Guide attacker to and over the endline.
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Win the ball back at the right moment.
Transition Attacking to Defending
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Try to win the ball back as quickly as possible. 5-Second Rule.
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Run to the player with the ball.
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Run after the player with the ball.
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Make the field small together.
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Protect the goal.
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Block shots.
Transition Defending to Attacking
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Explode and quickly dribble forward or pass forward.
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Try to create a scoring chance as quickly as possible.
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Keep ball possession.
3v3 With GKs

Organization:
Area: 30y x 20y
The teams play 4v4, with three field players and a GK. When the ball goes out of bounds, dribble or pass the ball back in. Substitute players or rotate a new team in when a goal is scored. The goal scoring team stays on.
Game: Keep track of the score.
Coaching Points:
Attacking: Build Up
Transition: Attacking to Defending; Quick reaction after losing the ball.
Defending: Pressure / Cover / Balance principles, 1v1 Defending, staying compact
Transition: Defending to Attacking: Explode and quick first pass in transition.
Technical:
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Passing and Receiving
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Moves and Dribbling
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Finishing
Tactical:
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Team Shape
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Movement to keep ball possession. Use goalie.
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Defending: staying compact and moving with the ball.
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Recognizing the moment of pressure, winning the ball.
7v7, Large Goals

Organization:
Area: 60y x 40y
Create two teams and play 7v7 (six plus a GK), with both teams playing in a 1-2-3-1 formation. Regular soccer rules apply.
Game: Keep track of the score.
Coaching Points:
Attackers:
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In ball possession, make the field large and get into the correct build up shape.
Defenders:
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When the opponent has the ball, make the field small by moving towards the ball and pressuring the ball
Transition:
- After winning the ball, look to play the ball forward, one touch in transition, or explode with a dribble into space.
- After losing the ball, try to win the ball back asap.