Football Drills for U16s

1. Team shape shuttle

Moving as a unit out of possession

Set up

Two banks of players shift across a marked half pitch as the coach moves the ball between wide and central stations, holding distances between the units.

Coaching points

Shift together not individually, hold ten to fifteen yards between the lines, recognise the trigger to drop.

Make it harder

Add live attackers so the shape has to react to a real pass.

2. High press to regain

Pressing in the attacking third

Set up

The build-up team plays out from a keeper and back four; the pressing team scores a point for every regain inside the attacking half and a goal for scoring within eight seconds of it.

Coaching points

Press on the poor touch or backwards pass, block the switch, squeeze the far side across.

Make it harder

Reduce the counter window from eight seconds to five.

3. Playing through the thirds 8v8

Building play with structure

Set up

Three-zone pitch, 8v8 plus keepers. A goal counts double if the team has played into and out of the middle zone during the attack.

Coaching points

Break lines with the pass, use the pocket player, change the point of attack when the middle is blocked.

Make it harder

Limit the build-up team to two touches in their own third.

4. Finishing under fatigue

Repeat finishing at match intensity

Set up

Three finishes in twelve seconds: a driven shot from the edge, a cutback finish and a rebound off the keeper, then full recovery before the next set.

Coaching points

Hit the target first, react to the second ball, keep technique tidy when the legs are heavy.

Make it harder

Add a recovering defender to the second and third finish.

5. Attacking and defending corners

Set pieces

Set up

Rehearse two attacking routines and one defensive set-up, always playing out the second ball rather than stopping at the first header or clearance.

Coaching points

Simple routines with clear roles, attack the ball in front of the marker, defenders clear the first contact and push out.

Make it harder

Award a counter-attack goal to the defending team if they clear and score within ten seconds.

6. Football endurance blocks

Aerobic base with the ball

Set up

Four three-minute circuits around half a pitch with marked jog, stride and sprint sections, each block finishing with a pass and a strike at goal.

Coaching points

Full effort only in the sprint section, relaxed through the jog, keep the finish clean when tired.

Make it harder

Add a fifth block or shorten the walking recovery to 60 seconds.

7. 11v11 phase of play

Applying it to the match

Set up

Run the phase of play the team will face on Saturday from a specific restart — goal kick, throw-in or defensive corner — repeating it until the picture is clear.

Coaching points

Match-realistic restarts, organise before the ball is live, one coaching message per stoppage.

Make it harder

Play the phase live for three minutes after each rehearsed rep.

What should U16 football training include?

Team shape, pressing structure, playing through the thirds, set pieces and phases of play, all tested in 11v11 or large-sided games. Technical work continues inside those pictures rather than as isolated drills.

How long should a U16 session be?

80 to 90 minutes. Two tactical blocks plus a game works well midweek, with a shorter, sharper session close to a match.

Is conditioning work appropriate for U16s?

Yes. Repeat sprints, change of direction and football endurance blocks all fit at U16, ideally early in the week and always with the ball involved where possible.

How do you keep U16s engaged?

Competition and clarity. Score every practice, keep blocks short with clear targets, and explain why the session matters for the next match.