AUTHO

Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo

National Football Coach – LEVEL III

Grassroots football coach in Author of the Blog MisterJoseMejias

Useful blog for coaches. Knowledge, Exercises and

CF FUENLABRADA SAD 2016 – 18 Technical - Tactical - Physical Games.
ADC BRUNETE 2011 – 16 http://misterjosemejias.blogspot.com.es/

Distinguished Contributor in Author of football ebooks

CONSTRUCTION OF THE GAME MODEL. From
http://www.laclinicadelfutbol.com/ theory to practice.
http://www.mejorfutbol.com

7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL.
Planning – methodology – training.
Football teacher in
The Football Clinic Website (2016 – 75 EXERCISES AND GAMES.
2017). Essential for grassroots football.
Best Football Website (2018).

“For me, goals are not achieved by setting them, but by taking steps towards them,
right?” Marcelo Bielsa.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 2

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
 EXERCISES AND
GAMES
Essential for grassroots football

INDEX
PROLOGUE. By ALEJANDRO LOPEZ GUTIERREZ Page 6

National Football Coach – LEVEL III

Grassroots football coach in
Author of the Blog MisterJoseMejias
Distinguished Contributor in
Football teacher in
Author of football ebooks
EXERCISES AND GAMES
Essential for grassroots football
CHAPTER 1. METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS TO TRAINING
CHAPTER 2. DESIGNING TASKS FOR TRAINING
CAPITULO 3. DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING SESSION
CAPITULO 4. 75 EXERCISES AND GAMES
4.1 PHYSICAL EXERCISES
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT WITH FINISH
GOALS
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall and
shooting.
GOALS
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall,
dribbling, shooting and coordination.
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION WITH FINISH II
GOALS
Exercise specially designed to improve oriented control, passing, dribbling and shooting with
integrated strength and coordination training.
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION I
GOALS
Analytical, physical, technical and coordination exercise with 3 stations to improve the player's
technique and basic physical and coordination abilities.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION II
GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.
GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.
GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.
GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.
GOALS
Physical circuit in the form of an analytical technical figure to improve passing, driving, feinting,
dribbling and interception.
GOALS
3-station physical circuit for technical, physical and coordination improvement, plus possession
in a reduced space, bringing the technique closer to real competition play.
GOALS
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a small space
bringing the technique closer to real competition play.
GOALS
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a small space
bringing the technique closer to real competition play.
1. 2 EXERCISES AND POSSESSIONS
GOALS
Combined action to improve changes of direction, support, marking and finishing with crosses
from the second line of attack.
GOALS
Combined action for a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side football system in which the central midfielder and the
two wingers intervene to move from the creation zone to the finishing zone.
GOALS
Combined action to improve the tactical principles of Attack, Support Breakaway, Breakthrough
and Changes of Direction in a 1-4-2-3-1 system.
POSSESSION AND COMBINED ACTION IN 1-4-3-3 SYSTEM
GOALS
Exercise developed to progress from the creation zone to the finishing zone in a 1-4-3-3 system
with changes of direction and finishing in the penalty area.
2v2 DUELS WITH QUICK ENDINGS
GOALS
Improve reaction speed and technical speed with quick finishes in 2v2 situations with limited
time.
Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4
75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH I
GOALS
Analytical exercise to improve passing technique, oriented control, dribbling and shooting.
GOALS
Very dynamic exercise, designed to improve the technique of short passing, oriented control and
shooting with active participation of the goalkeeper.
TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH DOUBLE ENDINGS
GOALS
Technical exercise to improve passing, oriented control and shooting with double finishes as they
can occur in competition after a rebound.
POSSESSION AND CIRCUIT OF RESISTANCE
GOALS
Mixed exercise with one possession to improve combination play and another for physical
resistance to lactic anaerobic capacity.
TECHNICAL FIGURE AND POSSESSION EXERCISE IN A REDUCED SPACE
GOALS
Exercise to improve oriented control and passing through a classic analytical technical figure and
an integrated possession exercise in a reduced space.
TECHNICAL EXERCISE DRIVING CONTROL PASS
GOALS
Analytical exercise with difficulty in perception and decision-making to improve passing
technique, oriented control and dribbling.
GOALS
Exercise to adapt players to real competition situations with continuous changes from defensive
to offensive roles and vice versa.
GOALS
Adaptation to real competition situations where the player needs to quickly change the attack-
defense role after losing.
POSSESSION SPECIFIC WORK MIDDLE FIELD
GOALS
Exercise designed to improve the specific work of the central midfielder by constantly supporting
his teammates and thus maintaining possession of the ball.
POSSESSION CREATION OF PASSING LINES AND SWINGS
GOALS
Exercise for creating free passing lines through permanent support and assistance and improving
defensive swings.
POSSESSION WITH PROGRESSION IN DEPTH
GOALS
Possession drill to improve progression in depth through combinative or indirect play.
GOALS
Possession drill designed to improve combination play through permanent support and assistance
to the ball possessor.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 5

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
 GOALS
Possession drill to improve changes of direction, creation of free spaces and breakaway runs with
a high cognitive load.
GOALS
Possession drill in small spaces to improve tactical combination play through support, permanent
assistance and runs.
DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
Possession drill in small spaces to improve the tactical game through support, permanent
assistance, and breakaways with finishing.
POSSESSION IN 3 ZONES COMBINATIVE PLAY AND COUNTERATTACK
GOALS
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or direct
play after recovering the ball.
POSSESSION IN A CONTAINED SPACE WITH FAST FINISHES
GOALS
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or direct
play after recovering the ball.
4.3 CONDITIONED MATCHES
4X4 CONDITIONING MATCH AND PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION
GOALS
Conditioned match to improve indirect play and direct play after recovery, combined with a
physical coordination circuit around the work area.
GOALS
A match conditioned by the improvement of combination play in numerical superiority and the
use of crosses from the wing.
GOALS
A match designed to improve combination play using the central midfielders in a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side
football system.
CONDITIONAL MATCH 8X8+2P TRIPLE AREA
GOALS
Conditioned match to improve fast play with few touches aimed at small fields, simulating real
conditions of the next match.
GOALS
Match conditioned by improving the game on the wings through changes of direction in 1-4-1-4-1
systems and arrivals to the finishing zone.
DEVELOPMENT
CONDITIONED MATCH AIR GAME
GOALS
A match conditioned by the improvement of the offensive and defensive aerial play after crosses
from the wing.
GOALS

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 6

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
 Match conditioned to improve the combination or indirect game and direct game or counterattack
after recovering the ball in the 1-5-3-2 system.
GOALS
Modified match to improve the combination play inside and outside through the work of the two
midfielders of each team with permanent support and assistance.
GOALS
Match conditioned by the improvement of the counterattack after recovering the ball in the rival
team's creative zone in a 1-4-4-2 system.
4.4 EXERCISES FOR GOALKEEPERS
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of deflection,
blocking, clearing and offensive technical action of passing.
GOALS
Exercise to improve specific goalkeeping techniques (blocking and clearing), as well as explosive
strength, which is essential for improving speed.
EXPLOSIVE FORCE RESISTANCE FOR GOALKEEPERS
GOALS
TECHNICAL-PHYSICAL EXERCISE COORDINATION FOR GOALKEEPERS
GOALS
3-station exercise to improve the goalkeeper's clearance technique, strength, coordination and
proprioception.
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of deflection
and blocking.
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions such as
blocking and clearing.
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's tactical offensive and defensive play in situations similar to
those in competitive play.
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response in decision-making in 1 vs 1 situations and the
correct position on the bisector formed between the ball and the goal.
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response to situations with difficulty in perception and the
resolution of 1 vs 1 plays as in a real competition game.
4.5 GAMES
GOALS
Classic relay game format for teams to improve linear ball handling and passing, while promoting
team competitiveness.
GOALS
A game in a team relay competition format to improve the player's physical and coordination
skills, as well as ball handling, passing and control.
Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 7
75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
GOALS
Classic game to improve balance and proprioception, specially designed for young players in the
final part of training or cooling down.
GOALS
Classic game for general body activation, specially designed for young players in the initial part
of training or warm-up.
GOALS
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player mobility.
GOALS
Game designed to improve passing with the inside and control oriented as an alternative to classic
technical figures.
GOALS
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final
part of training or calming down.
GOALS
Game to improve reaction speed and linear ball control at maximum speed.
GOALS
Games designed to improve progression in deep play, dribbling, feinting with or without the ball
and dribbling during the warm-up.
GOALS
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final
part of the week as a speed exercise.
GOALS
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final
part of the week as a speed exercise.
GOALS
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player mobility.
GOALS
Game designed to improve combination play by creating passing lines between outside players in
a confined space.
GOALS
Competitive game to improve technical and tactical aspects, both offensive and defensive, that
appear in most competitive situations.
GOALS
Game to improve progression in depth and width, through offensive tactical principles such as
ball conservation, supports and walls.
GOALS
Classic possession to improve combination play by adapting players to competition-like
situations in any area of the field.
GOALS
A game with a high cognitive load to improve tactics in terms of running away, creating free
spaces, changing direction, the long pass technique and oriented control.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 8

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
 GOALS
Game for tactical improvement of marking, support, creation of free spaces, changes of direction,
medium pass technique and oriented control.
GOALS
GOALS
Game to improve dribbling, feint, driving, charging, interception, tackling and tackling.
GOALS
A particularly fun game to improve control, passing and heading, simulating many real
competition situations.
GOALS
Game specially designed for the tactical improvement of the centre forward's runs through 1v1
situations, targeted control and shooting in real situations.
GOALS
CAPITULO 5. LEGEND OF BASIC SYMBOLS USED
CAPITULO 6. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES FOR CONSULTATION
REFLECTION. THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Other books by Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo
BUILDING THE GAME MODEL - From theory to practice
CONSTRUCTION OF THE
GAME MODEL
7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL. Planning - Methodology - Training
75 ESSENTIAL exercises and games for youth football
CAPITULO 1.

4.1 PHYSICAL EXERCISES Page 19

1. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT WITH FINISH
2. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL COORDINATION CIRCUIT WITH FINISH I
3. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION WITH FINISH II
National Football Coach – LEVEL III..................................................................................................
Grassroots football coach in.....................................................................................................................
Author of the Blog MisterJoseMejias......................................................................................................
Distinguished Contributor in....................................................................................................................
Football teacher in....................................................................................................................................
Author of football ebooks........................................................................................................................
EXERCISES AND GAMES...................................................................................................................................
Essential for grassroots football......................................................................................................................
CHAPTER 1. METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS TO TRAINING.........................................
CHAPTER 2. DESIGNING TASKS FOR TRAINING........................................................................
CAPITULO 3. DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING SESSION.......................................................
CAPITULO 4. 75 EXERCISES AND GAMES.................................................................................

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 9

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
4.1 PHYSICAL EXERCISES..................................................................................................................
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT WITH FINISH..............................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall and
shooting..................................................................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall,
dribbling, shooting and coordination.....................................................................................................
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION WITH FINISH II...........................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Exercise specially designed to improve oriented control, passing, dribbling and shooting with
integrated strength and coordination training.........................................................................................
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION I.....................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Analytical, physical, technical and coordination exercise with 3 stations to improve the player's
technique and basic physical and coordination abilities........................................................................
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION II....................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical circuit in the form of an analytical technical figure to improve passing, driving, feinting,
dribbling and interception......................................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
3-station physical circuit for technical, physical and coordination improvement, plus possession
in a reduced space, bringing the technique closer to real competition play...........................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a small space
bringing the technique closer to real competition play..........................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a small space
bringing the technique closer to real competition play..........................................................................
1. 2 EXERCISES AND POSSESSIONS...............................................................................................

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
 GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Combined action to improve changes of direction, support, marking and finishing with crosses
from the second line of attack................................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Combined action for a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side football system in which the central midfielder and the
two wingers intervene to move from the creation zone to the finishing zone.......................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Combined action to improve the tactical principles of Attack, Support Breakaway, Breakthrough
and Changes of Direction in a 1-4-2-3-1 system....................................................................................
POSSESSION AND COMBINED ACTION IN 1-4-3-3 SYSTEM.........................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Exercise developed to progress from the creation zone to the finishing zone in a 1-4-3-3 system
with changes of direction and finishing in the penalty area...................................................................
2v2 DUELS WITH QUICK ENDINGS....................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Improve reaction speed and technical speed with quick finishes in 2v2 situations with limited
time.........................................................................................................................................................
TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH I.............................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Analytical exercise to improve passing technique, oriented control, dribbling and shooting...............
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Very dynamic exercise, designed to improve the technique of short passing, oriented control and
shooting with active participation of the goalkeeper.............................................................................
TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH DOUBLE ENDINGS..........................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Technical exercise to improve passing, oriented control and shooting with double finishes as they
can occur in competition after a rebound...............................................................................................
POSSESSION AND CIRCUIT OF RESISTANCE..................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Mixed exercise with one possession to improve combination play and another for physical
resistance to lactic anaerobic capacity...................................................................................................
TECHNICAL FIGURE AND POSSESSION EXERCISE IN A REDUCED SPACE.............................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve oriented control and passing through a classic analytical technical figure and
an integrated possession exercise in a reduced space............................................................................
TECHNICAL EXERCISE DRIVING CONTROL PASS........................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Analytical exercise with difficulty in perception and decision-making to improve passing
technique, oriented control and dribbling..............................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to adapt players to real competition situations with continuous changes from defensive
to offensive roles and vice versa............................................................................................................

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
 GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Adaptation to real competition situations where the player needs to quickly change the attack-
defense role after losing.........................................................................................................................
POSSESSION SPECIFIC WORK MIDDLE FIELD................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Exercise designed to improve the specific work of the central midfielder by constantly supporting
his teammates and thus maintaining possession of the ball...................................................................
POSSESSION CREATION OF PASSING LINES AND SWINGS.........................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Exercise for creating free passing lines through permanent support and assistance and improving
defensive swings....................................................................................................................................
POSSESSION WITH PROGRESSION IN DEPTH.................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Possession drill to improve progression in depth through combinative or indirect play.......................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Possession drill designed to improve combination play through permanent support and assistance
to the ball possessor................................................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Possession drill to improve changes of direction, creation of free spaces and breakaway runs with
a high cognitive load..............................................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Possession drill in small spaces to improve tactical combination play through support, permanent
assistance and runs.................................................................................................................................
DEVELOPMENT..................................................................................................................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Possession drill in small spaces to improve the tactical game through support, permanent
assistance, and breakaways with finishing.............................................................................................
POSSESSION IN 3 ZONES COMBINATIVE PLAY AND COUNTERATTACK................................
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or direct
play after recovering the ball..................................................................................................................
POSSESSION IN A CONTAINED SPACE WITH FAST FINISHES..................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or direct
play after recovering the ball................................................................................................................
4.3 CONDITIONED MATCHES................................................................................................................
4X4 CONDITIONING MATCH AND PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION..............................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Conditioned match to improve indirect play and direct play after recovery, combined with a
physical coordination circuit around the work area.............................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
A match conditioned by the improvement of combination play in numerical superiority and the

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
 use of crosses from the wing................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
A match designed to improve combination play using the central midfielders in a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side
football system.....................................................................................................................................
CONDITIONAL MATCH 8X8+2P TRIPLE AREA..............................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Conditioned match to improve fast play with few touches aimed at small fields, simulating real
conditions of the next match................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Match conditioned by improving the game on the wings through changes of direction in 1-4-1-4-1
systems and arrivals to the finishing zone............................................................................................
DEVELOPMENT................................................................................................................................
CONDITIONED MATCH AIR GAME..................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
A match conditioned by the improvement of the offensive and defensive aerial play after crosses
from the wing.......................................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Match conditioned to improve the combination or indirect game and direct game or counterattack
after recovering the ball in the 1-5-3-2 system....................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Modified match to improve the combination play inside and outside through the work of the two
midfielders of each team with permanent support and assistance.......................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Match conditioned by the improvement of the counterattack after recovering the ball in the rival
team's creative zone in a 1-4-4-2 system..............................................................................................
4.4 EXERCISES FOR GOALKEEPERS....................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of deflection,
blocking, clearing and offensive technical action of passing...............................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve specific goalkeeping techniques (blocking and clearing), as well as explosive
strength, which is essential for improving speed.................................................................................
EXPLOSIVE FORCE RESISTANCE FOR GOALKEEPERS..............................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
TECHNICAL-PHYSICAL EXERCISE COORDINATION FOR GOALKEEPERS............................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
3-station exercise to improve the goalkeeper's clearance technique, strength, coordination and
proprioception......................................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of deflection
and blocking.........................................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
 Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions such as
blocking and clearing...........................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's tactical offensive and defensive play in situations similar to
those in competitive play......................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response in decision-making in 1 vs 1 situations and the
correct position on the bisector formed between the ball and the goal................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response to situations with difficulty in perception and the
resolution of 1 vs 1 plays as in a real competition game......................................................................
4.5 GAMES.................................................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Classic relay game format for teams to improve linear ball handling and passing, while promoting
team competitiveness...........................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
A game in a team relay competition format to improve the player's physical and coordination
skills, as well as ball handling, passing and control.............................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Classic game to improve balance and proprioception, specially designed for young players in the
final part of training or cooling down..................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Classic game for general body activation, specially designed for young players in the initial part
of training or warm-up.........................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player mobility.........
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game designed to improve passing with the inside and control oriented as an alternative to classic
technical figures...................................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final
part of training or calming down..........................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game to improve reaction speed and linear ball control at maximum speed......................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Games designed to improve progression in deep play, dribbling, feinting with or without the ball
and dribbling during the warm-up........................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final
part of the week as a speed exercise.....................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final
part of the week as a speed exercise.....................................................................................................
Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1
75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
 GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player mobility.........
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game designed to improve combination play by creating passing lines between outside players in
a confined space...................................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Competitive game to improve technical and tactical aspects, both offensive and defensive, that
appear in most competitive situations..................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game to improve progression in depth and width, through offensive tactical principles such as
ball conservation, supports and walls...................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Classic possession to improve combination play by adapting players to competition-like
situations in any area of the field.........................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
A game with a high cognitive load to improve tactics in terms of running away, creating free
spaces, changing direction, the long pass technique and oriented control...........................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game for tactical improvement of marking, support, creation of free spaces, changes of direction,
medium pass technique and oriented control.......................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game to improve dribbling, feint, driving, charging, interception, tackling and tackling...................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
A particularly fun game to improve control, passing and heading, simulating many real
competition situations..........................................................................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
Game specially designed for the tactical improvement of the centre forward's runs through 1v1
situations, targeted control and shooting in real situations..................................................................
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................
CAPITULO 5. LEGEND OF BASIC SYMBOLS USED................................................................
CAPITULO 6. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES FOR CONSULTATION...............................
REFLECTION. THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT.......................................................................
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................................................
Other books by Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo......................................................................
BUILDING THE GAME MODEL - From theory to practice.............................................................
CONSTRUCTION OF THE....................................................................................................................
GAME MODEL...........................................................................................................................................
7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL. Planning - Methodology - Training............................................................
75 ESSENTIAL exercises and games for youth football..................................................................................
4.
5. CIRCUITPHYSICAL TECHNICAL
Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1
75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
6. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT AND POSSESSION IN REDUCED SPACE I
7. PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION AND POSSESSION IN A REDUCED SPACE II
8. PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION AND POSSESSION IN A REDUCED SPACE III

4.2 EXERCISES AND POSSESSIONS Page 32

9. COMBINED ACTION WITH COMPLETION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK
10. COMBINED ACTION WITH FINISHING FOR 7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL
11. COMBINED ACTION SUPPORT AND BREAKOUT
12. POSSESSION AND COMBINED ACTION IN 1-4-3-3 SYSTEM
13. 2v2 DUELS WITH QUICK ENDINGS
14. TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH I
15. TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH II
16. TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH DOUBLE ENDINGS
17. POSSESSION AND CIRCUIT OF RESISTANCE
18. TECHNICAL FIGURE AND POSSESSION EXERCISE IN A REDUCED SPACE
19. TECHNICAL EXERCISE DRIVING CONTROL PASS
20. DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE TRANSITIONS
21. ATTACK - DEFENSE TRANSITIONS (DEFENSIVE TRANSITIONS)
22. POSSESSION SPECIFIC WORK MIDDLE FIELD
23. POSSESSION CREATION OF PASSING LINES AND SWINGS
24. POSSESSION WITH PROGRESSION IN DEPTH
25. 5x5 POSSESSION AND 4 GOALS
26. 4X4+4 WILD CARDS POSSESSION WITH FOUR GOALS
27. 5x5 POSSESSION AND 5 WILD CARDS IN REDUCED SPACES
28. POSSESSION IN SMALL SPACES 5X5 + 5 WILD CARDS AND 2 GOALKEEPERS
29. POSSESSION IN 3 ZONES COMBINATIVE PLAY AND COUNTERATTACK
30. POSSESSION IN A CONTAINED SPACE WITH FAST FINISHES

4.3 CONDITIONED MATCHES Page 56

31. 4X4 CONDITIONING MATCH AND PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION
32. CONDITIONED MATCH WITH LIMITED AREAS
33. MATCH CONDITIONED WORK OF MIDFIELDERS
34. GAME CONDITIONED 8X8+2P TRIPLE AREA
35. GAME CONDITIONED GAME BY BANDS
36. GAME CONDITIONED GAME AIR
37. GAME CONDITIONED GAME COMBINATIVE ZONE OFCREATION
38. GAME CONDITIONED GAME INTERIOR EXTERIOR SYSTEM1-4-2-3-1
39. CONDITIONED MATCH COUNTERATTACK IN 1-4-4-2 SYSTEM

4.4 EXERCISES FOR GOALKEEPERS Page 66

40. REACTION SPEED FOR GOALKEEPERS
41. EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH FOR GOALKEEPERS
42. EXPLOSIVE FORCE RESISTANCE FOR GOALKEEPERS
43. TECHNICAL-PHYSICAL EXERCISE COORDINATION FOR GOALKEEPERS
Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1
75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
44. DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER I
45. DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER II
46. OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE TACTICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER
47. 1x1 SITUATIONS AND POSITIONING ON THE GOALKEEPER'S BISECTOR
48. 1v1 SITUATIONS AND DIFFICULTY IN PERCEPTION OF THE GOALKEEPER

4.5 GAMES Page 79

49. RELAY RACE GAME TECHNIQUE

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
 50. RELAY RACE GAME PHYSICS TECHNIQUE
51. ENGLISH HIDE AND SEEK GAME
52. THE HUNTERS GAME
53. OCCUPY THE CONE GAME
54. CAT AND MOUSE GAME
55. CONCENTRATION GAME
56. I PLAY THE LINE
57. THE WALL AND THE SPIDER GAME
58. THE GAME OF PEPES AND PEPAS
59. I PLAY THE HANDKERCHIEF
60. KNOCK DOWN THE CONE GAME
61. I PLAY THE THREE ZONES
62. I PLAY THE THREE TEAMS
63. I PLAY THE H
64. I GAME THE IGLOO
65. TURRET ATTACK GAME
66. CASTLE ATTACK GAME
67. ATTACK – COUNTERATTACK GAME
68. THE dribblers' game
69. I PLAY THE HEADERS
70. 1X1 COMPETITION GAME
71. PENALTY AND STRETCHING COMPETITION GAME

CHAPTER 5. LEGEND OF BASIC SYMBOLS USED Page 103

CHAPTER 6. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES FOR CONSULTATION Page 104

REFLECTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT (Alejandro López Gutiérrez) Page 106
.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Page 109
PROLOGUE
OTHER BOOKS BY PROFESSOR JOSE LUIS MEJIAS POZUELO.

Page 110

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL
 Alejandro Lopez Gutierrez
National Football Coach
Professor at the Royal Football Federation of Madrid's coaching school

Alex Lopez
9 @alopezgu

“To begin with, I must welcome all of my football-loving friends who are coming to this
book looking for a tool, an inspiration with which they can then develop their own ideas
for the benefit of their team.”

“I would also like to thank Mr. José Luis Mejías for the affection he showed me for
writing this prologue.”

The book aims to be a support, a tool with which any coach can, in turn, provide
players with the necessary training to respond on their own with appropriate solutions
to the different variables that the game presents.

The game model will be a series of desirable behaviors that a team displays at each
moment of the game. This is an ideal and mobile, that is to say, perfection will never
be achieved in the model and that is why we must always be in search of improvement
and change.

This project was born with the idea that “doubt is the mother of certainty” and therefore
does not seek to provide certainties about the game. What we do try to do is to create
a foundation, a tool that any partner can use to ask their own questions, adapt the
tasks to their game model and capture all the care that has gone into each of the
exercises and games presented.

Through the exercises, you will discover what the person behind the coach is like,
something that I have discovered over the years. You will find an organized,
methodical, sensitive person who is passionate about this sport through these
essential exercises for grassroots football.

José Luis and I met in the summer of 2015, when we were taking the Level III Football
Coaching Course, the highest qualification available in Spain. We had exciting months
ahead of us, during which I discovered José Luis and why he was like that. What you
will discover in these exercises aimed at grassroots football, which requires special

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
affection, dedication and sensitivity, is based on a foundation - love. Of the love that
José Luis has for his children, for his wife, for his family, those who have been the
driving force that pushed him to continue achieving goals and it is for them that the
manager does everything he does.

All the efforts involved in managing a team, creating training tasks, sometimes do not
find immediate rewards and we often need that extra support that comes from the
people we appreciate. The purpose of this book is to be one more leg on the table that
is training, a support, a base from which you can grow and develop, together with your
team.

This collaboration is born between two people, who look into each other's eyes, enjoy
a good coffee while chatting about football. I hope that through the book you can look
into our eyes and that with a good cup of coffee you can enjoy "75 essential exercises
and games for grassroots football"

“Once again, thank you, friend. Enjoy”

Alejandro Lopez Gutierrez

CHAPTER 1. METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS TO TRAINING

TEACHING AND LEARNING THROUGH TRAINING

In today's football, tactics, technique or physical preparation, in addition to psychology, are not
isolated elements and therefore, their teaching must be understood as a global and integrated
learning of all the elements that make up football.
Let's take as an example - that of the coach who designs a magnificent tactical exercise to improve
ball retention and his players do not have the necessary conditions to execute the correct controls or
passes, they do not know the rules of the game or their physical condition cannot withstand the
exercise or the psychological and emotional conditions of the players are not adequate - we would be
faced with a teaching-learning process that is not very productive.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
1. Explain the dynamics of the exercise , where, how, how many and who does it. Repetitions,
sets, work and recovery times, exercise rules or scoring.
2. Demonstration of the movements that make up the exercise by the coach, assistant or most
skilled player, the intensity of execution and how to do it, distances, routes, type of jumps,
turns, contact surfaces with the ball, hitting power, direction and trajectory of the pass,
movements of the players with or without the ball, etc.
3. Development of the exercise by the players to see the movements and the dynamics of the
operation of the exercise.
4. Corrections on what is not right, from technical and tactical execution to intensity,
concentration, etc. Focus on the proposed objective of the exercise.

5. Perform repetitions or series of the proposed exercise. Make corrections on the fly or at the
end of each rep/set.
6. Final evaluation after several sessions ensures that the proposed objectives are executed
correctly.
7. Progression after completed evaluation, to perform exercises of a higher level than the
previous one, with greater complexity and difficulty, faster, in short with greater difficulty, that
is, working in progression on the variables Space - Time - Rivals.
8. The phase of improvement or performance enhancement is reached when all the learning
phases have been exhausted, with successive exercises in progression.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
PLAYER TRAINING PROCESS
Generally, grassroots football is classified by age and organized into categories ranging from pre-
benjamins to juveniles. Training methods in all these categories must be specific to the physical,
technical, tactical and psychological characteristics of the players, since training a 7-year-old, a 14-
year-old or an 18-year-old is not the same.
Therefore, it is necessary that the player's training process be divided into training stages with
specific content and objectives adapted to their age and related to each other.

CLASSIFICATION BY CATEGORIES
There are six categories, generally with 2 years of training each, except for the youth category with 3
years, so that first-year and second-year players can coexist in the same team or competition.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
 CATEGORIES AND AGES
Initiation Stage Performance Stage Stage of improvement
Prebenjamin: 6 to 7 years old.
Children: 12 to 13 years old.
Benjamin: 8 to 9 years old. Youth: from 16 to 18 years old.
Cadet: 14 to 15 years old.
Alevín: 10 to 11 years old.

GLOBAL AND ANALYTICAL TRAINING

Modern football is made up of four main elements: tactical, technical, physical and psychological.
When the coach plans the training, the four aspects must be worked on in a global manner and not
independently. Sometimes, when you want to focus on very specific aspects of teaching or as a first
approach to a task, the use of analytical methods is also advisable.

Global Methodology: consisting of designing a joint effort of the four capacities in an integrated
manner through exercises, games and training sessions similar to those the player will encounter
during the competition. Example,

1. Global task through possession exercise of 4x4 + 1 wildcard in a reduced space, with
intensities, dimensions and rules modified according to the objective sought by the coach,
where technical, tactical, physical and psychological concepts will be given.

GLOBAL EXERCISE - 4X4

POSSESSION + 1 Wildcard in a
small space (12x7 m)

Tactics: Attack, Support, Assist,

Keeping the ball, Changing
direction, Moving, Covering,
Swapping, Tackling, Charging,
Anticipation, Interception, etc.
Technique: Control, Pass,
Driving, Dribbling, Shooting,
Tackling, Charging, Anticipation
and Interceptions.
Physical: Aerobic Power,
Intensity at 80% -170 ppm. 2
sets x 10' with 2' Recovery
between sets.
Psychological: Attention,
concentration, security, will,
sacrifice and cognitive abilities
(PERCEPTION, DECISION and
EXECUTION).
MisterJoseMejias

In summary, overall training is a task that integrates tactics, technique, physical preparation and
psychology, developed through exercises with certain characteristics, playing with space, time, the
number of players and the rules that we impose based on the objectives that we want to achieve for

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
the competition.

Analytical Methodology: consists of separately and independently training technical, tactical,

physical and psychological capabilities through exercises. Examples,

1. Physical analytical task would be a circuit with jumps and zig-zags.

2. Technical analytical task through ball touches in pairs.
3. Tactical analytical task with mushroom-to-mushroom movements for learning anticipations.
4. Psychologically, in analytical tasks there is hardly any cognitive load, as the movements that
the player must perform are highly mechanized.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
CHAPTER 2. DESIGNING TASKS FOR TRAINING

The design of training tasks for the improvement and perfection of the four elements that make up
football must be progressive, varied and adapted to the player's sporting age, through:

DESIGNING TASKS FOR TRAINING

Analytical exercises Global exercises

• Technical figures. • Possession games and exercises.

• Combined actions. • Conditional matches.
DESIGNING TRAINING TASKS USING ANALYTICAL EXERCISES
When the coach chooses the option of training tasks through analytical exercises, he must orient the
objective very specifically and concretely, for example when he wants to improve some technical
aspect or tactical movement of his players, structuring the exercise well, with adequate rotations and
times and little or no opposition.
• TECHNICAL FIGURES. These are exercises to improve the different technical actions of
football represented on geometric figures, in which there will be a high number of repetitions
of the technical gestures being worked on, but far from real competition situations with a low
level of perception and decision-making.

TECHNICAL FIGURE. TO IMPROVE PASSING, DRIVING, FEINT,

DRIBBLING AND INTERCEPTION.
A. Long pass.
B. Control oriented, driving linear and inzigzag.
C. Middle pass.
D. Driving in zigzag andto thego out of thePussy,
happens short.
E. Driving, feinting and dribbling the player located between the
two cones who can only move laterally to make interceptions.
If you manage to dribble, short pass to the starting player. If he
loses the ball, he picks it up and goes back to the start.
Take into account the principle of multilateralism, changing the starting
direction. Influence the correct technical execution of the proposed
actions. Take care of the execution of the targeted controls.
Space: 40x30 m.
Players: 7.
Time: 14 reps. 30” rest between repetitions.
Material: balls and cones.
Rotations: each player advances to the free post. 2 repetitions for the
player who makes interceptions.
Variation: 2 players in each post to carry out active opposition.

• COMBINED ACTIONS. Training through combined or combinative actions consists of the

succession of different technical actions or tactical movements with well-defined objectives,
preferably without opposition or passive opposition to assimilate these concepts.
It is characterized by a high number of repetitions, giving priority to technical or tactical
execution, moving away from decision making (perception – decision).

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
COMBINED ACTION. 7 TECHNICAL ACTIONS WITH GOAL KICK
AND FINISHING.
To improve passing, oriented control, dribbling, relay and shooting.
The players are distributed as indicated in the graphic with the
goalkeeper throwing the ball to the open centre-back, he carries out a
short dribble and the full-back passes the ball to later execute a pass to
the centre-midfielder, who controls it and passes it back to the forward
who executes control and shot. Take into account the principle of
multilateralism, changing the starting direction. Influence the correct
technical execution of the proposed actions.

Space: half an 11-a-side football field.

Players: 8 + 2 Goalkeepers.
Rotations: the player moves to the mushroom where the ball goes. The
shooter goes to position 2 and the other goalkeeper starts in the other
direction. Technical Actions: short pass; oriented control; dribbling;
diagonal relay; medium pass; half-stop control; shot.
Reps: 10x2 and lateral change.
Variation: move the exercise to improvement, placing two players on
each cone, so that one of them makes it difficult to receive the pass by
trying to anticipate it (active opposition).

DESIGNING TRAINING TASKS USING GLOBAL EXERCISES

When the coach designs a possession drill or game, he must take into account: the space or
dimensions; the number of players; the number of contacts or touches; the conditioned
objectives. Depending on the age, category and level of the players, the 4 variables will be modified
to prepare the ideal task, in accordance with the real objectives.

• POSSESSION EXERCISES. These are training tasks with exercises in possession and ball
recovery, alternating the different tactical, technical, physical and psychological aspects that
allow our players to achieve the proposed objectives in a given space, forming players with a
great capacity for perception, decision-making and execution or, in other words, player
intelligence.
If possessions are also carried out in small spaces, players touch the ball more often, many
1v1 situations occur and the objectives proposed in the task are continually repeated.

GLOBAL EXERCISE. CONTROL, PASS WITH THE FOOT AND THE

HEADER SHOT.
Exercise to improve control, passing and finishing with the head. A
possession is carried out in a small space 4x4 with the foot + 4 offensive
Wild Cards in the corners with a ball in hand. When a wild card receives
a pass at the foot of a player, he throws the ball with his hand into the
shooting area, where the players who had possession must finish the
play with a header.
Insist on the correct execution of technical actions and that the wildcard
players always have the ball ready in their hands, so that the exercise is
dynamic.
Emphasize that this is a possession exercise, in which control and
passing are essential to progress towards the opponent's goal.

Space: double the goal area.

Players: 12.
Time: 5' x 3 repetitions.
Rotations: Each team performs a wildcard task repetition.
Material: bibs, balls and cones.
Variation: For teams with more players, introduce offensive wild cards
inside or on the sides.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
 • GAMES. A training task designed in game format has all the characteristics of global
exercises, with great competitiveness, in addition to generating a good group atmosphere,
helping to improve group cohesion.
To consider an exercise as a game it must have the following characteristics: name of the
game, teams, rules, scoring and winners.

GAME: THE DRIBBLERS.

Perfecting dribbling, feinting, driving, charging, intercepting,
tackling and tackling.
The players are distributed as indicated in the graph in three teams. A
wildcard team must defend the mini cone goals by intercepting them with
lateral movements, preventing a player from the other team from
dribbling and passing with the ball.
The blue team, for example, with a ball each player must try during the
duration of the game to pass between the cones defended by the wild
cards by means of a dribble or feint, and must also use good dribbling.
The red team must prevent the blue team players from achieving their
goal by means of defensive actions such as tackling, charging and
attacking.

Score and Winners: The team that further dribbles

performed
passing a ball between the cones defended by the wild cards.
Duration: 6x2', Break: 1,30’. 2 series each team with role
different (wildcard, dribblers and defensive).
Dimensions: 18x12 meters.
Players: 12.
Material: balls, mushrooms, cones and bibs.

• CONDITIONED MATCHES. Conditioned matches allow us to reinforce the tactical, technical,

physical and psychological behaviours and skills that help the group achieve the objectives for
building our game model, and to confront the players with different variables that may occur
throughout the matches.
By applying different conditions or obligations, we seek to ensure that players acquire training
experiences of the individual and collective behaviors that we desire in our team to
successfully resolve the different game situations that may arise later in the competition.

MATCH CONDITIONED FOR 1-4-2-3-1 SYSTEM

Modified match to improve oriented control and combination passing in
play by the two central midfielders of each team.
The two teams are distributed in 1-4-2-3-1 systems, without the striker
(for 20 players) on a 7-a-side football pitch as shown in the graphic with a
central area of 10x10 metres that can only be occupied by the central
midfielders.
To progress towards the opposing goal, the game must always pass
through the central zone, where the midfielders of each team will
constantly play 2v2, working on charging and intercepting the players
who do not have the ball.
Once the halfway line has been crossed, in the defensive zone all
possible technical defensive actions must be carried out to prevent goals,
tackles, interceptions and clearances.

Dimensions: 7-a-side football pitch with a central area of 10x10 m.

Players: 18 + 2 goalkeepers
Time: 2 reps 12'. Active rest between repetitions 2'.
Material: balls, mushrooms and bibs.
Variation 1: for 21 players, an offensive wildcard in the square to assist
the ball carrier.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
CAPITULO 3. DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING SESSION

The training session must contain the intended teaching objectives, through tasks, games, exercises
or matches conditioned in order to achieve learning. Generally speaking, the training session should
be structured in three parts.

WARM-UP: games or exercises related to the main part, where the intensity should increase
progressively. Duration 15 – 20'.

MAIN PART: tasks, games, exercises or conditioned matches in which the technical, tactical,
physical and psychological objectives planned for the session will be developed. Duration 40 – 50'.
RETURN TO CALM: games, low-intensity exercises, relaxation, stretching and feedback from the
coach to the players, to recover resting parameters. Duration 10 – 15'.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION TO TRAINING

The following is a practical presentation, through the design of a one-week work microcycle,
consisting of two training sessions with a mainly global methodology, where tactical, technical,
physical and psychological aspects oriented towards the next competition match will be jointly
present.

Microcycle (one week) of 2 60-minute training sessions for the Children's category, adapted
to our 1-4-3-3 game system.
They correspond to the 2nd Period of the Initiation Mesocycle for a planning developed based
on Structured Microcycles.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
 Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo
National Football Coach - LEVEL III

CLUB DATE SESSION PERIOD MESOCYCLE PLAYERS TIME

CHILDREN 02-2017 24 2 1- INITIATION 18(16+2P) 60'
MATERIAL Balls, mushrooms, bibs, cones.
GOALS OFFENSIVE KEEP DEFENSIVE AVOID KEEPING
TACTICAL Supports, markings, width, mobility, c. orientation Pressing, anticipation, entry, charge.
TECHNICIANS Control, driving, dribbling, passing. Entry, anticipation, interception, charge.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Attention, concentration, security, cognitive abilities, sacrifice and will.
PHYSICAL Endurance, Strength, Flexibility, Speed.

INITIAL PARTWARM-UP (Calen. General, Army Mobility

GAME: POISONED DICE. Like a game of tag. 2 players try to tag the rest who move in the delimited space. The caught player will run with one hand over the area
of the body that was touched.

KNOCK DOWN THE CONE GAME. 2 teams of 6 players are distributed with the help of 4
offensive wild cards on a surface as shown in the graphic. The objective of the
game is to knock down all of the opposing team's cones with the ball after having
maintained possession of at least 4 passes in a row. The cone that is knocked down is
removed from the playing area and is used to count the result.
Players: 16. Duration: 5'x2. Dimensions: 40x40m. Materials: mushrooms, bibs, balls and
cones. Winners: the team that knocks down the most cones.

MAIN PART________________________________________________
EXERCISE 1: PHYSICAL - TECHNICAL - COORDINATION CIRCUIT.
6 to 8 players are placed in Zone 1 and Zone 2.
From Zone 1, a player with the ball comes out for the first time, performing the
following technical actions: Linear dribbling; Wide zig-zag dribbling; Pass to the
player in Zone 2 and free coordination in a ladder;
In Zone 2, the player receiving the ball performs the following technical actions
depending on whether the ball is being controlled to the right or left: ■ Control to the right
and dribbling behind the cone; Zig-zag dribbling; Linear dribbling to the next cone and
Pass to the player in Zone 1.
■ Control facing left and driving behind the cone; Short low pass and jump over the
fence; Elevated pass and crawl under the fence; Linear driving to the next cone and
Pass to player in zone 1.
Dimensions: 11-a-side football area. Players: 14 to 16. Time: 5' x 3 repetitions.
Material: balls, cones, pikes, fences and ladder.________________________
EXERCISE 2: PROGRESSION FROM START ZONE TO CREATION.
In the space marked out as shown in the graph, the players are placed in a 1-4-3-3
system (without forwards) against 7 players. The team with superiority starts the play
from a goal kick in a combination or indirect game, trying to progress to the 2 mini
goals located in the middle of the field. The defending team, after recovering the ball,
will try to quickly reach and analyze the large goal.
Focus on the correct execution of technical gestures and the quick completion of the
stealing team. For the correct execution of the exercise, high intensity and the
following tactical concepts must be required: Supporting runs; Pressure; Timing;
Coverage; Search for free spaces; Permanent help.
Players: 8x7. Dimensions: half 11-a-side football pitch.
Duration: 10'x2. Materials: mushrooms, cones, bibs and balls.

FINAL PART - RETURN TO CALM

Collect Material. Continuous Race (2 laps around the field at a slow trot). Stretching (Stretching or F NP). Feedback Session

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 2

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
 Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo
National Football Coach - LEVEL III

CLUB DATE SESSION PERIOD MESOCYCLE PLAYERS TIME

CHILDREN 02-2017 25 2 1-INITIATION 18(16+ 2P) 60'
MATERIAL Balls, mushrooms, bibs, cones.
GOALS OFFENSIVE KEEP DEFENSIVE AVOID KEEPING
TACTICAL Supports, markings, width, mobility, c. orientation Pressing, anticipation, entry, charge.
TECHNICIANS Control, driving, dribbling, passing. Entry, anticipation, interception, charge.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Attention, concentration, security, cognitive abilities, sacrifice and will.
PHYSICAL Endurance, Strength, Flexibility, Speed.
JOINT MOVEMENTS: Players forming a circle perform joint movements for approximately 10" per joint. Ankles, knees, trunk, arms, wrists and
neck.

GAME: THE CLOCK. Two teams of equal number of players are made. Some people stand in a circle with a ball and others stand outside. It's
about seeing who can make more passes in the time it takes the players on the other side to do a lap, taking turns dribbling a ball. That is,
those in the circle count the passes until the last person from the other team turns around.
Focus on the correct execution of driving, oriented control and passing.
Winners: The team that manages to make the most directed controls and
passes correctly.

INITIAL PART - WARM-UP (Calen. General, Army Joint Mobility and Play) TIME 15'
MAIN PART_______________________________________________
EXERCISE 1: POSSESSION 6X6+4C.
Possession 6x6 + 4 offensive wild cards. There are 4 small goals placed in
the corners of the area. To score a point, you must pass the ball through
the goal with a teammate or a wild card. Each team defends and attacks
the 4 goals. Free touch. The same goal cannot be repeated consecutively.
Focus on constant mobility, lots of passes and support.

Duration: 2x8', Active rest, shortened static stretches for the lower body.
1,30'. Dimensions: 25x40m.
Rotations: changing the players who act as wild cards. TIME 40'

EXERCISE 2: CONDITIONED MATCH WORK WITH CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS.

On a surface as shown in the graphic, 2 teams are distributed based on a
1-4-3-3 system, where the wingers will be offensive wild cards for the
team in possession of the ball.
To progress to the finishing zone, the game must always pass through the
Central Halfs (who cannot leave their central zone).

Dimensions: triple 11-a-side football area. Players: 16 + 2 goalkeepers.

Duration: 2x10'.

FINAL PART - RETURN TO CALM TIME 5'

Collect Material. Continuous Race (2 laps around the field at a slow trot).
Stretching (Stretching or FNP). Feedback Session

CAPITULO 4. 75 EXERCISES AND

GAMES

Below is a set of high-quality exercises and games to

be used in different parts of training throughout the
season.
The basis of each of the exercises and games can be used in any category, conveniently modifying
the space, number of players, contacts or rules of the task and the objectives.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
VARIABLES FOR DESIGNING TRAINING TASKS
When the coach designs an exercise or game, he must take into account the space or dimensions,
the number of players, the number of contacts or touches and the conditioned objectives.
Depending on the age, category and level of the players, the 4 variables will be modified to prepare
the ideal task, in accordance with the real objectives.

Space or dimensions.
• At early ages, using large spaces for tasks allows players more time for motor mechanisms in
execution.
• The physical demand will be greater if the number of players is reduced in relation to the
space.
• Therefore, if the number of players is greater in relation to the space, the physical intensity
decreases, although the speed of execution of the motor mechanisms will increase.

Number of players.
• The greater the number of players, the less travel and physical demands there are.
• For ball possession or conservation exercises, create numerical superiority or the use of
offensive wild cards (with the ball possessor).
• Tasks depending on teammates, rivals, wild cards or goalkeepers.

Number of contacts or touches.

• When designing the exercises, the less contact or touches you make with the ball, the more
difficult it will be.
• And therefore, the more touches allowed in the task, the more time players have available for
execution.

Conditional objectives.
In the sporting development of football, within the foundation of the game, all the actions that the
player performs involve three basic cognitive processes: PERCEPTION – DECISION – EXECUTION.
• The tasks must train players with great capacity for perception, decision-making and
execution, or in other words, player intelligence.
• Drills and games should prepare players to be able to provide effective responses and
solutions during the competition.
• Tasks should be planned in a logical progression from the most global to the specific and from
the simplest to the most complex.

4.1 PHYSICAL EXERCISES

When designing and implementing physical circuits, the physical objectives that the coach wants to
improve in his players must be taken into account, bearing in mind that football is a sport in which all
the physical and coordinative capacities possible in man appear.

BASIC PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES COORDINATIVE CAPABILITIES

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
 STRENGTH ENDURANCE FLEXIVILITY AGILITY COORDINATION BALANCE
SPEED SKILL POWER

The physical exercises presented below use different materials, which are not always part of the
material resources available to the club or team. A coach should not become discouraged or
constantly complain about the lack of material or space available, but should adapt to the means
available at each moment and situation.

In most cases, exercises can be performed with balls, mushrooms, bibs or cones.

1. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT WITH FINISH

2. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL COORDINATION CIRCUIT WITH FINISH I
3. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION WITH FINISH II
National Football Coach – LEVEL III..................................................................................................2
Grassroots football coach in.....................................................................................................................2
Author of the Blog MisterJoseMejias......................................................................................................2
Distinguished Contributor in....................................................................................................................2
Football teacher in....................................................................................................................................2
Author of football ebooks........................................................................................................................2
EXERCISES AND GAMES...................................................................................................................................3
Essential for grassroots football......................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 1. METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS TO TRAINING.........................................21
CHAPTER 2. DESIGNING TASKS FOR TRAINING........................................................................26
CAPITULO 3. DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING SESSION.......................................................29
CAPITULO 4. 75 EXERCISES AND GAMES.................................................................................32
4.1 PHYSICAL EXERCISES..................................................................................................................33
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT WITH FINISH..............................................................................41
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................41
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall and shooting.
................................................................................................................................................................41
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................43
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall, dribbling,
shooting and coordination......................................................................................................................43
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION WITH FINISH II...........................................44
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................44
Exercise specially designed to improve oriented control, passing, dribbling and shooting with
integrated strength and coordination training.........................................................................................44

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION I.....................................................................46
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................46
Analytical, physical, technical and coordination exercise with 3 stations to improve the player's
technique and basic physical and coordination abilities........................................................................46
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION II....................................................................47
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................47
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................47
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................49
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................49
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................50
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................50
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................51
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's basic
physical and coordination abilities.........................................................................................................51
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................52
Physical circuit in the form of an analytical technical figure to improve passing, driving, feinting,
dribbling and interception......................................................................................................................52
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................53
3-station physical circuit for technical, physical and coordination improvement, plus possession in a
reduced space, bringing the technique closer to real competition play..................................................53
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................54
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a small space
bringing the technique closer to real competition play..........................................................................54
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................56
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a small space
bringing the technique closer to real competition play..........................................................................56
1. 2 EXERCISES AND POSSESSIONS...............................................................................................57
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................60
Combined action to improve changes of direction, support, marking and finishing with crosses from
the second line of attack.........................................................................................................................60
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................62
Combined action for a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side football system in which the central midfielder and the two
wingers intervene to move from the creation zone to the finishing zone..............................................62
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................64
Combined action to improve the tactical principles of Attack, Support Breakaway, Breakthrough and
Changes of Direction in a 1-4-2-3-1 system..........................................................................................64
POSSESSION AND COMBINED ACTION IN 1-4-3-3 SYSTEM.........................................................66
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................66
Exercise developed to progress from the creation zone to the finishing zone in a 1-4-3-3 system with

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
 changes of direction and finishing in the penalty area...........................................................................66
2v2 DUELS WITH QUICK ENDINGS....................................................................................................68
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................68
Improve reaction speed and technical speed with quick finishes in 2v2 situations with limited time...68
TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH I.............................................................................................70
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................70
Analytical exercise to improve passing technique, oriented control, dribbling and shooting...............70
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................72
Very dynamic exercise, designed to improve the technique of short passing, oriented control and
shooting with active participation of the goalkeeper.............................................................................72
TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH DOUBLE ENDINGS..........................................................................74
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................74
Technical exercise to improve passing, oriented control and shooting with double finishes as they can
occur in competition after a rebound......................................................................................................74
POSSESSION AND CIRCUIT OF RESISTANCE..................................................................................75
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................75
Mixed exercise with one possession to improve combination play and another for physical resistance
to lactic anaerobic capacity....................................................................................................................75
TECHNICAL FIGURE AND POSSESSION EXERCISE IN A REDUCED SPACE.............................77
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................77
Exercise to improve oriented control and passing through a classic analytical technical figure and an
integrated possession exercise in a reduced space.................................................................................77
TECHNICAL EXERCISE DRIVING CONTROL PASS........................................................................79
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................79
Analytical exercise with difficulty in perception and decision-making to improve passing technique,
oriented control and dribbling................................................................................................................79
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................81
Exercise to adapt players to real competition situations with continuous changes from defensive to
offensive roles and vice versa................................................................................................................81
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................82
Adaptation to real competition situations where the player needs to quickly change the attack-defense
role after losing.......................................................................................................................................82
POSSESSION SPECIFIC WORK MIDDLE FIELD................................................................................84
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................84
Exercise designed to improve the specific work of the central midfielder by constantly supporting his
teammates and thus maintaining possession of the ball.........................................................................84
POSSESSION CREATION OF PASSING LINES AND SWINGS.........................................................86
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................86
Exercise for creating free passing lines through permanent support and assistance and improving
defensive swings....................................................................................................................................86
POSSESSION WITH PROGRESSION IN DEPTH.................................................................................88

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
 GOALS...................................................................................................................................................88
Possession drill to improve progression in depth through combinative or indirect play.......................88
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................90
Possession drill designed to improve combination play through permanent support and assistance to
the ball possessor....................................................................................................................................90
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................92
Possession drill to improve changes of direction, creation of free spaces and breakaway runs with a
high cognitive load.................................................................................................................................92
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................94
Possession drill in small spaces to improve tactical combination play through support, permanent
assistance and runs.................................................................................................................................94
DEVELOPMENT..................................................................................................................................94
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................96
Possession drill in small spaces to improve the tactical game through support, permanent assistance,
and breakaways with finishing...............................................................................................................96
POSSESSION IN 3 ZONES COMBINATIVE PLAY AND COUNTERATTACK................................98
GOALS...................................................................................................................................................98
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or direct play
after recovering the ball..........................................................................................................................98
POSSESSION IN A CONTAINED SPACE WITH FAST FINISHES..................................................100
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................100
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or direct play
after recovering the ball........................................................................................................................100
4.3 CONDITIONED MATCHES................................................................................................................101
4X4 CONDITIONING MATCH AND PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION..............................102
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................102
Conditioned match to improve indirect play and direct play after recovery, combined with a physical
coordination circuit around the work area............................................................................................102
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................104
A match conditioned by the improvement of combination play in numerical superiority and the use of
crosses from the wing...........................................................................................................................104
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................106
A match designed to improve combination play using the central midfielders in a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side
football system.....................................................................................................................................106
CONDITIONAL MATCH 8X8+2P TRIPLE AREA..............................................................................108
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................108
Conditioned match to improve fast play with few touches aimed at small fields, simulating real
conditions of the next match................................................................................................................108
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................110
Match conditioned by improving the game on the wings through changes of direction in 1-4-1-4-1
systems and arrivals to the finishing zone............................................................................................110
DEVELOPMENT................................................................................................................................110

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
 CONDITIONED MATCH AIR GAME..................................................................................................111
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................111
A match conditioned by the improvement of the offensive and defensive aerial play after crosses from
the wing................................................................................................................................................111
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................113
Match conditioned to improve the combination or indirect game and direct game or counterattack after
recovering the ball in the 1-5-3-2 system.............................................................................................113
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................115
Modified match to improve the combination play inside and outside through the work of the two
midfielders of each team with permanent support and assistance.......................................................115
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................117
Match conditioned by the improvement of the counterattack after recovering the ball in the rival
team's creative zone in a 1-4-4-2 system..............................................................................................117
4.4 EXERCISES FOR GOALKEEPERS....................................................................................................118
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................124
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of deflection,
blocking, clearing and offensive technical action of passing...............................................................124
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................125
Exercise to improve specific goalkeeping techniques (blocking and clearing), as well as explosive
strength, which is essential for improving speed.................................................................................125
EXPLOSIVE FORCE RESISTANCE FOR GOALKEEPERS..............................................................127
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................127
TECHNICAL-PHYSICAL EXERCISE COORDINATION FOR GOALKEEPERS............................128
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................128
3-station exercise to improve the goalkeeper's clearance technique, strength, coordination and
proprioception......................................................................................................................................128
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................130
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of deflection and
blocking................................................................................................................................................130
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................132
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions such as blocking
and clearing..........................................................................................................................................132
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................134
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's tactical offensive and defensive play in situations similar to those
in competitive play...............................................................................................................................134
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................136
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response in decision-making in 1 vs 1 situations and the correct
position on the bisector formed between the ball and the goal............................................................136
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................138
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response to situations with difficulty in perception and the
resolution of 1 vs 1 plays as in a real competition game......................................................................138
4.5 GAMES.................................................................................................................................................140

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................141
Classic relay game format for teams to improve linear ball handling and passing, while promoting
team competitiveness...........................................................................................................................141
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................143
A game in a team relay competition format to improve the player's physical and coordination skills, as
well as ball handling, passing and control............................................................................................143
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................145
Classic game to improve balance and proprioception, specially designed for young players in the final
part of training or cooling down...........................................................................................................145
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................147
Classic game for general body activation, specially designed for young players in the initial part of
training or warm-up..............................................................................................................................147
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................149
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player mobility.........149
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................151
Game designed to improve passing with the inside and control oriented as an alternative to classic
technical figures...................................................................................................................................151
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................153
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final part
of training or calming down.................................................................................................................153
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................155
Game to improve reaction speed and linear ball control at maximum speed......................................155
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................157
Games designed to improve progression in deep play, dribbling, feinting with or without the ball and
dribbling during the warm-up..............................................................................................................157
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................159
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final part
of the week as a speed exercise............................................................................................................159
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................161
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in the final part
of the week as a speed exercise............................................................................................................161
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................163
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player mobility.........163
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................165
Game designed to improve combination play by creating passing lines between outside players in a
confined space......................................................................................................................................165
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................167
Competitive game to improve technical and tactical aspects, both offensive and defensive, that appear
in most competitive situations..............................................................................................................167
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................168
Game to improve progression in depth and width, through offensive tactical principles such as ball
conservation, supports and walls..........................................................................................................168

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
 GOALS.................................................................................................................................................169
Classic possession to improve combination play by adapting players to competition-like situations in
any area of the field..............................................................................................................................169
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................171
A game with a high cognitive load to improve tactics in terms of running away, creating free spaces,
changing direction, the long pass technique and oriented control.......................................................171
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................173
Game for tactical improvement of marking, support, creation of free spaces, changes of direction,
medium pass technique and oriented control.......................................................................................173
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................174
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................176
Game to improve dribbling, feint, driving, charging, interception, tackling and tackling...................176
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................178
A particularly fun game to improve control, passing and heading, simulating many real competition
situations...............................................................................................................................................178
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................179
Game specially designed for the tactical improvement of the centre forward's runs through 1v1
situations, targeted control and shooting in real situations..................................................................179
GOALS.................................................................................................................................................181
CAPITULO 5. LEGEND OF BASIC SYMBOLS USED................................................................182
CAPITULO 6. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES FOR CONSULTATION...............................182
REFLECTION. THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT.......................................................................185
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................................................187
Other books by Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo......................................................................189
BUILDING THE GAME MODEL - From theory to practice.............................................................189
CONSTRUCTION OF THE....................................................................................................................189
GAME MODEL...........................................................................................................................................189
7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL. Planning - Methodology - Training............................................................189
75 ESSENTIAL exercises and games for youth football..................................................................................190
4.

5. CIRCUITPHYSICALTECHNICAL
6. PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT AND POSSESSION IN REDUCED SPACE I
7. PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION AND POSSESSION IN A REDUCED SPACE II
8. PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION AND POSSESSION IN A REDUCED SPACE III

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT WITH FINISH

GOALS
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall
and shooting.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace, wall and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, passing, driving and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the correct technical

execution of the different actions.
Distribute the material, 2 players per cone and the rest in cone 1. VOLUME 25’
1. The goalkeeper starts with a throw-in to a player in cone 1, who performs a INTENSITY Avera
directed control, linear and zig-zag dribbling to pass to a player in cone 2. ge
DURATION
2. Cone player 2 performs oriented control and passes to cone player 3. 5’
3. Cone player 3 makes a 1-2-1 wall with cone player 4. REPETITIONS
2
4. Player returns a deep wall pass so that the player who made the wall pass at cone REP Recovery.
3 can reach the mushroom and make a pass to the penalty spot.
1’
SERIES
5. Player jumps over fences and arrives at the precise moment of the pass to finish. 2
SER Recovery.
Principle of multilateralism, changing the starting area of the exercise. 1’

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Rotations: Players rotate to the cone where they pass the ball, the player at cone 5 finishes, picks up the ball and returns to cone

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 3

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
1.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL COORDINATION CIRCUIT WITH FINISH I
GOALS
Physical circuit to improve endurance, driving technique, oriented control, passing, wall,
dribbling, shooting and coordination.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, wall, change of pace and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, dribbling and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the correct technical

execution of the different actions.
Distribute the material, 2 players per cone and the rest in cone A with the ball, as VOLUME 20’
indicated in the graphic.
A. Linear and zig-zag driving between cones and pass to cone B player. INTENSITY Avera
ge
B. Oriented control and self-pass. Coordination on stairs and low plyometrics on DURATION
hurdles are started. The ball is collected, the zig-zag drive continues and passed to the 4’
REPETITIONS
partner in cone C. 2
C. Dribble the dummy, pass to the teammate in cone D who returns the wall through REP Recovery.
1’
the second dummy so that player C finishes with a shot on goal. SERIES
Take into account the principle of multilateralism and change the starting area of the 2
exercise. Rotations: the player stays where the ball passes. The shooter stays on cone SER Recovery.
1’

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Midfiel
d

D to make the wall and starts again from cone A.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION WITH FINISH II

GOALS
Exercise specially designed to improve oriented control, passing, dribbling and shooting
with integrated strength and coordination training.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass, dribble and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the correct technical

execution of the different actions.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
Player 1 performs a slalom between pikes, controls the ball which passes to the resting goalkeeper, passes to player 2 and then
skips.
Player 2 oriented control and pass to player 3, continue on coordination ladder.
Player 3 performs oriented control, driving between cones and passing to player 4.
Player 4 oriented control, driving to the pike and passing to player 5. He performs skipping with double support on the hurdles
and heads to post 5.
Player 5 receives the ball, controls the ball and shoots. Return to post 1.
Rotations: Players rotate to the cone where they pass the ball, the player at cone 5 finishes, picks up the ball and returns to cone
1. Variation: move the exercise to improvement, placing two players on each cone, so that one of them makes it difficult to
receive the pass by trying to anticipate it (active opposition).

VOLUME
INTENSITY
DURATION
REPETITIONS
REP Recovery.
SERIES
SER Recovery.

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Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION I

GOALS
Analytical, physical, technical and coordination exercise with 3 stations to improve the
player's technique and basic physical and coordination abilities.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the ideal contact surface

for finishing.

On a surface as shown in the diagram, 4 to 5 players are placed at posts 1, 2 and 3, VOLUME 20’
with one player leaving each post at the same time when the coach gives the starting INTENSITY Avera
signal as follows: ge
Post 1: Jump over medium hurdles, zig-zag between pikes and header of the ball
DURATION
6’
thrown by the teammate. REPETITIONS
Post 2: coordination ladder with double support, somersault on a mat and full instep 3
REP Recovery.
shot at the large goal with the ball thrown by the partner. 2’
Post 3: support on hoops with increasing distance, slalom between pikes and shooting SERIES
1
with the inside of the foot of a ball thrown by a partner. SER Recovery.

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Rotations: the player who finishes stays to pass the ball to another teammate.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION II

GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's
basic physical and coordination abilities.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, passing and driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on doing the exercises slowly

and well, not quickly and poorly.
Distribute the material and 5 or 6 players in mushroom 1 and 2, as indicated in the graphic.
Circuit 1: the player drives, performs the slalom between cones and after passing the
last one, a 180º turn maneuver, passing to the player of Circuit 2. Continue changing
VOLUME 20’
pace with a zig-zag between pikes at maximum speed and turning behind the INTENSITY Avera
mushroom. Perform 4-hurdle plyometrics, ladder coordination, and recovery by ge
DURATION
walking to row in Circuit 2. 9’
Circuit 2: the player receives a diagonal pass, oriented control and begins driving with REPETITIONS
slalom between cones, turns 180º and passes to player Circuit 1. Continue with a REP Recovery. 2
change of rhythm in ladder coordination and turn behind the mushroom. Performs a 2’
wide lunge on hoops and a final somersault on the mat. Recover by walking to row SERIES 1
Circuit 1. SER Recovery.
Take into account the principle of multilateralism and change the starting area of the exercise.

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Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT
GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's
basic physical and coordination abilities.

TACTICAL Speed in the game and change of pace.

TECHNICIANS Control, passing and driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Remember that it is better to do it well

and slowly, than badly and quickly.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
2 or 4 players at posts 1, 2 and 3, with one player from each team leaving at the same time. Post 1: drive, turn and pass to the
partner waiting behind; continue around the pikes and jump over the fences to start at a change of pace (sprint) to post 2.
Post 2: drive, turn and pass to the partner waiting behind; continue performing a varied stair coordination to exit in a change of
pace (sprint) to post 3.
Post 3: driving, turning and passing to the teammate waiting behind; jumping on the leg that finds the hoop (hoop to the left,
player lands on left leg and vice versa); lateral movement between pikes lowering the centre of gravity of the trunk to return to
the starting post 1 at a recovery trot pace.

VOLUME
INTENSITY
DURATION
REPETITIONS
REP Recovery.
SERIES
SER Recovery.

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Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT
GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's
basic physical and coordination abilities.

TACTICAL Speed in the game and change of pace.

TECHNICIANS Control, passing and driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Insist that they make variations in

3 to 5 players are placed at the starting cones as indicated in the graphic and the
first two players begin the exercise at the same time as follows: VOLUME 15’
Linear driving; Zigzag driving; Pass to the starting player of the opposite mushroom;
Change of pace and Turn between pikes or Lateral movement between the lying
INTENSITY Avera
ge
pikes; Exit to coordination ladder; Return in recovery trot to the opposite mushroom DURATION
where the exercise started. 7’
REPETITIONS
As soon as the player receives the ball, he must go out with it, starting the circuit.
Please note that to correctly perform the exercise, the coach must synchronize very REP Recovery.
well so that all the players keep the same rhythm. Variations: replace pikes with SERIES 2
hurdles to perform low plyometrics and lying pikes with 2 bosus to perform
proprioception. SER Recovery. 1’

• «
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the coordination of stairs.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT
GOALS
Physical, technical and coordination circuit with different stations to improve the player's
basic physical and coordination abilities.

TACTICAL Speed in the game and change of pace.

TECHNICIANS Control, passing and driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on attacking the ball when

Distribute the material and place 3 to 5 players in Zone 1 and Zone 2.

From Zone 1, a player with the ball comes out for the first time, performing the VOLUME 15’
following technical actions: Linear dribbling; Wide zig-zag dribbling; Pass to the
player in Zone 2 and performing free coordination in a ladder;
INTENSITY Avera
ge
In Zone 2, the player receiving the ball must perform the following technical actions DURATION
depending on whether the ball is controlled from the right or left side: 7’
REPETITIONS
· Right-facing control and driving behind the cone; Driving
zig-zag; Linear driving to the next cone and Pass to the player in Zone 1. REP Recovery.
· Left-facing control and driving behind the cone; Short pass SERIES 2
Low pass and jump over the fence; Elevated pass and crawl under the fence; Linear
drive to the next cone and Pass to player in zone 1. SER Recovery. 1’

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controlling it.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 4

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL
GOALS
Physical circuit in the form of an analytical technical figure to improve passing, driving,
feinting, dribbling and interception.

TACTICAL Speed in the game and change of pace.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the correct technical

Distribute the material and 5 or 6 players in mushroom 1 and 2, as indicated in the

graphic. VOLUME 20’
A. Long pass.
B. Oriented control, linear and zig-zag driving.
INTENSITY Avera
ge
C. Middle pass. DURATION
D. Zigzag driving and when leaving the cone, short pass. 9’
REPETITIONS
E. Driving, feinting and dribbling the player located between the two cones who 1
can only move laterally to make interceptions. If you manage to dribble, short pass REP Recovery.
to the starting player. If he loses the ball, he picks it up and goes back to the start. SERIES 2
Single gesture oriented controls and change the start area of the exercise.
Rotations: each player advances to the free post. 2 repetitions the player who SER Recovery. 2’

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execution of all actions.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
10 PHYSICAL TECHNICAL CIRCUIT AND POSSESSION IN REDUCED SPACE I
GOALS
3-station physical circuit for technical, physical and coordination improvement, plus
possession in a reduced space, bringing the technique closer to real competition play.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, change of pace, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

Influence the correct technical

DEVELOPMENT execution of all actions.

Distribute the material to form 3 work stations around the possession exercise with 4 players in each one, as indicated in the
graphic.
VOLUME 25’
1. Linear and zig-zag driving between pikes, turn around the cone and half pass to the
partner who controls it and continues. INTENSITY Avera
2. Long pass technique using a full instep strike and chest cushioning control. ge
DURATION
3. Coordination and resistance circuit with zig-zag between pikes, coordination ladder 2’
and half-hurdle jump. REPETITIONS
4. Possession in a small space of 4x4 + 4 wild cards to improve combination play REP Recovery.
4
through short passing and targeted control. 1’
SERIES
2
SER Recovery.
2’

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field
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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
 12 PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION AND POSSESSION IN A REDUCED
GOALS
SPACE III
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a
small space bringing the technique closer to real competition play.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, change of pace, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
Distribute the material around the possession exercise with 9 players in the outer circuit and another 9 in
the possession exercise.
DEVELOPMENT Physical circuit with medium
plyometrics, coordination on stairs
with lateral supports, zig-zag between pikes and walking recovery.
VOLUME 25’
Classic 6x3 possession in which two teams of 3 players team up to
INTENSITY Avera
In possession the player must perceive
ge
DURATION
and decide before receiving the ball.
5’
maintain possession of the ball, while the other tries to recover it. The REPETITIONS
one who loses the ball changes roles and goes on to recover it. 2
REP Recovery.
1’
SERIES
2
SER Recovery.
2’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
 12 PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION AND POSSESSION IN A REDUCED
GOALS
SPACE III
Physical circuit to improve endurance, strength and coordination, plus possession in a
small space bringing the technique closer to real competition play.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, change of pace, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

In possession the player must perceive

DEVELOPMENT and decide before receiving the ball.

10 players on the outside circuit and

another 10 in possession exercise.
Physical circuit: 1. Coordination in hoops with left or right foot depending on the VOLUME 25’
position of the hoop, double step within the coordination ladder and sprint to the next INTENSITY Avera
mushroom. 2. Run with a wide stride and zig-zag between pikes to the next mushroom. ge
3. Easy jog, low plyometrics on hurdles with feet together and sprint start to the next DURATION
5’
mushroom. 4. Progressive race, jogging at the start, running and sprinting at the end. REPETITIONS
6x5 possession in a 20x20 meter area between two teams, with 3 players inside and 2 2
REP Recovery.
outside trying to keep the ball for as long as possible. If an inside player passes to an 1’
outside teammate, he goes out and the one who was outside goes in. Although there is SERIES
2
no limitation on touches, insist on mobility, support and permanent assistance for a SER Recovery.
2’

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Midfiel
d
good fluidity of the exercise.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
 1. 2 EXERCISES AND POSSESSIONS
TECHNICAL FIGURES. These are exercises to improve the different technical actions of football
represented on geometric figures, in which there will be a high number of repetitions of the
technical gestures that are worked on but far from real competition situations with a low level of
perception and decision.

COMBINED ACTIONS. Training through combined or combinative actions consists of the

succession of different technical actions or tactical movements with well-defined objectives,
preferably without opposition or passive opposition to assimilate these concepts.
It is characterized by a high number of repetitions, giving priority to technical or tactical execution,
moving away from decision making (perception – decision).

POSSESSION EXERCISES. These are training tasks with exercises in possession and ball
recovery, alternating the different tactical, technical, physical and psychological aspects that allow
our players to achieve the proposed objectives in a given space, forming players with a great
capacity for perception, decision-making and execution or, in other words, player intelligence.
If possessions are also carried out in small spaces, players touch the ball more often, many 1v1
situations occur and the objectives proposed in the task are continually repeated.

A series of analytical exercises are presented in the form of technical figures, combined actions
and also integrated or global exercises through possessions, in addition to mixed exercises that
include in the same exercise a technical figure or combined action for a work group, while the other
group is carrying out a possession.

13. COMBINED ACTION WITH COMPLETION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK

14. COMBINED ACTION WITH FINISHING FOR 7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL
15. COMBINED ACTION SUPPORT AND BREAKOUT
16. POSSESSION AND COMBINED ACTION IN 1-4-3-3 SYSTEM
17. 2v2 DUELS WITH QUICK ENDINGS
18. TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH I
19. TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH II
20. TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH DOUBLE ENDINGS
21. POSSESSION AND CIRCUIT OF RESISTANCE
22. TECHNICAL FIGURE AND POSSESSION EXERCISE IN A REDUCED SPACE
23. TECHNICAL EXERCISE DRIVING CONTROL PASS
24. DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE TRANSITIONS
25. ATTACK - DEFENSE TRANSITIONS (DEFENSIVE TRANSITIONS)
26. POSSESSION SPECIFIC WORK MIDDLE FIELD
27. POSSESSION CREATION OF PASSING LINES AND SWINGS

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
28. POSSESSION WITH PROGRESSION IN DEPTH
29. 5x5 POSSESSION AND 4 GOALS
30. 4X4+4 WILD CARDS POSSESSION WITH FOUR GOALS
31. 5x5 POSSESSION AND 5 WILD CARDS IN REDUCED SPACES
32. POSSESSION IN SMALL SPACES 5X5 + 5 WILD CARDS AND 2 GOALKEEPERS
33. POSSESSION IN 3 ZONES COMBINATIVE PLAY AND COUNTERATTACK
34. POSSESSION IN A CONTAINED SPACE WITH FAST FINISHES

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
13 COMBINED ACTION WITH COMPLETION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK

GOALS
Combined action to improve changes of direction, support, marking and finishing with
crosses from the second line of attack.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, marking, free spaces, speed in the game and finishing.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, dribble and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT
The players are distributed as indicated in the graph and it begins: Player 1
who drives and passes to J3. VOLUME 20’
Player 3 controls the ball and passes to J2. Player 2 oriented control and INTENSITY High
deep pass to J4.
DURATION 4’
Player 4 controls and passes to the penalty spot. Precise synchronization of movements
Players 1, 2 and 3 break away from the players waiting for their turn and join REPETITIONS
and orientation changes.
in the shot in a balanced manner. REP Recovery.
Rotations: each group once and each series the game starts from one side.
SERIES 4
Variation: active opposition of players waiting their turn and 2 players
defending the shooting area. SER Recovery. 1’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
14 COMBINED ACTION WITH FINISHING FOR 7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL
GOALS
Combined action for a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side football system in which the central midfielder and
the two wingers intervene to move from the creation zone to the finishing zone.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, marking, speed in the game and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass, dribble and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Insist on executing

The players are distributed as indicated in the graph and it begins:

1. The Center Midfielder passes to the Left Winger who comes out to receive the VOLUME 20’
ball and returns a wall pass in front and even touches it to the Center Midfielder.
2. The Center Midfielder picks up a wall pass, directed control and changes direction
INTENSITY Avera
ge
to the Right Wing. DURATION
3. Right winger changes pace to receive the pass in cone 4 from the Central 4’
REPETITIONS
Midfielder and changes direction to the penalty spot.
At the end, the central midfielder moves to the far post and the left winger reaches REP Recovery.
the near post. SERIES 4
Change the direction of the center from the band. Rotations: 2-1-3-2.
Variation: active opposition with 2 defenders and 1 midfielder. SER Recovery. 1’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
14 COMBINED ACTION WITH FINISHING FOR 7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL
technical actions well, even if slowly.

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15 COMBINED ACTION SUPPORT AND BREAKOUT
GOALS
Combined action to improve the tactical principles of Attack, Support Breakaway,
Breakthrough and Changes of Direction in a 1-4-2-3-1 system.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, marking, speed in the game and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass, dribble and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the correct execution of

the two types of marking.
An attacking team consisting of 2 MCs, 1 MP, 2 wingers and the striker is distributed, as well as another team consisting of 4
defenders and 2 MCs. The midfielders start Supporting breakaway: MC passes to the right winger who, being marked, approaches
to receive the ball. Changes in direction: right winger passes to the attacking midfielder, returns the pass to the other centre
midfielder, to make another pass to the left winger. Breakaway: Left winger who, while marked, runs towards the goal to receive
the ball sent by the centre midfielder.
Rotations: 1 series each team and the goalkeepers change every 3 repetitions.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
15 COMBINED ACTION SUPPORT AND BREAKOUT
Variation: Real game refinement, players will decide the moves based on the attacking game. If the defending team steals the
ball, they must drive across the halfway line.

VOLUME
INTENSITY
DURATION
REPETITIONS
REP Recovery.
SERIES
SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
16 POSSESSION AND COMBINED ACTION IN 1-4-3-3 SYSTEM

GOALS
Exercise developed to progress from the creation zone to the finishing zone in a 1-4-3-3
system with changes of direction and finishing in the penalty area.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, finishing, tackling and marking.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, drive, shoot, tackle and clearance.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
In the creation zone, possession is
DEVELOPMENT
contested 3v2 with free touches.

When 3 passes are combined, a player must change direction to one VOLUME 20’
of the wild cards on the wing who will drive and cross to the penalty INTENSITY High
spot where 2 defenders will try to prevent the shots of the forward
DURATION 1’
Focus on intense possession and
REPETITIONS 7
precise changes of direction.
REP Recovery. 1’
and the wild card on the opposing wing plus 2 midfielders in
possession who also join in. Rotation: goalkeepers and wild cards SERIES 2
every two plays. The defending team plays against the attacking team SER Recovery. 1’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
in each series.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
17 2v2 DUELS WITH QUICK ENDINGS

GOALS
Improve reaction speed and technical speed with quick finishes in 2v2 situations with
limited time.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, runs, finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, shooting, dribbling, tackling, charging and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT
Two teams face each other, assigning numbers to each player as in the
game of tag. The coach will call out two numbers at a time and these VOLUME 15'H
players will go out at maximum speed to compete 2v2 with the ball INTENSITY igh1
thrown by the coach to the center, having to finish in any of the goals DURATION 2”
before 8". If the ball goes out or time runs out, the players are Ensure that actions are completed
REPETITIONS
quickly.
removed and the coach will call out two more numbers. The coach can
throw the ball into the air, bounce it, or drop it, etc. Variation: each REP Recovery.
player is assigned several numbers or letters (the more variables, the SERIES 2
more difficult). SER Recovery. 2’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
 18 TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH I

GOALS
Analytical exercise to improve passing technique, oriented control, dribbling and shooting.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass, dribble and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
The players are divided into two
DEVELOPMENT teams A and B, which are further
divided into two groups each (A1 and
B1). From mushroom A1 a player comes out at maximum speed, zig-
VOLUME
zagging between pikes, to perform an oriented control of the pass sent by
the player located on mushroom A2. Continue driving to the A3 cones and INTENSITY
DURATION
Ensure that the pass arrives at the
REPETITIONS
right time.
shoot at goal. B mushroom players continue. Take into account the REP Recovery.
principle of multilateralism by changing the zone teams. Rotations: player SERIES
A2 after the pass runs to mushroom A1. Player who shoots at A3, picks up SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
the ball and goes to A2.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
19 TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH II

GOALS
Very dynamic exercise, designed to improve the technique of short passing, oriented
control and shooting with active participation of the goalkeeper.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Contour the body for control and

The player in Cone 1 starts by giving a diagonal pass to the player in Cone 2 who will
perform an oriented control and shoot at the goal. The exercise continues with the VOLUME 20’
Cone 3 player giving a diagonal pass to the Cone 4 player who performs an oriented INTENSITY High
control and shot at goal. The goalkeeper, positioned in the goal, moves laterally to
the mushroom, surrounding it without losing sight of the ball every time a player DURATION 9’
makes a pass. The other goalkeeper performs a complete rotation of the exercise REPETITIONS
with the players. Rotations: Players rotate counter-clockwise. The thrower picks up
the ball. Variation: move the exercise to improvement, so that one of the players
REP Recovery.
waiting to shoot makes it difficult to receive the pass by trying to anticipate it (active SERIES 2
opposition).
SER Recovery. 2’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
19 TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH FINISH II
precision and power of the shot.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
20 TECHNICAL EXERCISE WITH DOUBLE ENDINGS

GOALS
Technical exercise to improve passing, oriented control and shooting with double finishes
as they can occur in competition after a rebound.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace and finishing.

TECHNICIANS Control, pass and shoot.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Make a change of pace in the

3 to 5 players are placed in the corners (zones B) and one player will alternately go
to the middle of the delimited space (zone A) as indicated in the graphic. VOLUME 20’
Example of development: Red Player 2 gives a pass to Blue Player 2 who performs
an oriented control and shoots at goal, turns quickly and will do the same with the
INTENSITY High

pass he receives from Blue Player 3. DURATION 9’

Take into account the principle of multilateralism by changing the laterality of the B
REPETITIONS
zones where the pass starts. To correctly perform the exercise, the coach must
synchronize very well so that all the players keep the same rhythm. Variations: REP Recovery.
active opposition in zone A of the player who will perform the next finishing action. SERIES 2
The coach will name the number of the player who will perform the finish in order to
improve reaction speed. SER Recovery. 2’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
execution of one shot to another.

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21 POSSESSION AND CIRCUIT OF RESISTANCE

GOALS
Mixed exercise with one possession to improve combination play and another for physical
resistance to lactic anaerobic capacity.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Control, passing, driving, dribbling, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, sacrifice, attention and concentration.
Possession drill 4x4 + 2 offensive
DEVELOPMENT
wild cards on a 20x20m surface and
continuous running at 90% of
different distances formed by the outer cones as indicated: VOLUME 20’
Possession 2' + Run at 90% on Distance 1. INTENSITY Avera
Possession 2' + Run at 90% on Distance 2. ge
DURATION
Focus on mobility, support and 2’
REPETITIONS
marking in combined play. 4
Possession 1' + Run at 90% on Distance 3. REP Recovery.
1’
The wild cards must generate support and free passing lines to the team SERIES
2
in possession of the ball, through constant movement. SER Recovery.
1’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
 22 TECHNICAL FIGURE AND POSSESSION EXERCISE IN A REDUCED SPACE

GOALS
Exercise to improve oriented control and passing through a classic analytical technical
figure and an integrated possession exercise in a reduced space.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Control, passing, driving, dribbling, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, sacrifice, attention and concentration.
Players perform directed control,
DEVELOPMENT
pass outside and move to the place
where they throw the ball for 2'
until, at the coach's signal, all players move on to carry out a 4x4 VOLUME
possession + 2 offensive wild cards inside the pentagon for 2 more'. Focus INTENSITY
on the correct technical execution of passes and control oriented in a
DURATION
Take into account the principle of
REPETITIONS
multilateralism in the exercise.
single gesture and good change of pace when moving to the next cone. REP Recovery.
Variation: the player goes to the opposite side where he throws the ball. SERIES
The player drives and passes to a teammate who is waiting. SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
 23 TECHNICAL EXERCISE DRIVING CONTROL PASS

GOALS
Analytical exercise with difficulty in perception and decision-making to improve passing
technique, oriented control and dribbling.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace.

TECHNICIANS Control, passing and driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.
DEVELOPMENT In a circular area marked by
mushrooms, the players are
distributed as indicated in the graphic, occupying one of the free
mushrooms. With 2 or 3 balls in play, two or three players start driving VOLUME 12’
from the perimeter of the circle towards the central area of cones INTENSITY High
where they must pass to a free teammate on the outside who will DURATION 5’
Insist on driving without looking at the
2
REPETITIONS
ground to avoid collisions between
REP Recovery.
colleagues. 2’
repeat the process after carrying out the oriented control. The partner SERIES
who made the pass makes a change of pace to occupy a free SER Recovery.

12

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
mushroom. Variation: during the exercise the coach will indicate the colour of the mushroom occupied by a
player to make the pass.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
24 DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE TRANSITIONS
GOALS
Exercise to adapt players to real competition situations with continuous changes from
defensive to offensive roles and vice versa.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Control, passing, driving, dribbling, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, sacrifice, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence rapid role changes after

recovery and after loss.

4 teams of 4 players are distributed, two waiting on the baselines (ZONE 1 and ZONE 2) VOLUME 25’
and two disputing possession 4x4 (Red and Green). The team with the ball (Red) must INTENSITY High
progress to Zone 1, passing or dribbling past it, and the defending team (Green) must
prevent this progression. DURATION 5’
When the waiting team receives the ball (Yellow), they will start an attack against the REPETITIONS 4
defending team (Green) that had not been able to steal the ball from the attacking
REP Recovery. 1’
team (Red). This team (Green) must quickly retreat to prevent the ball from reaching
the opposite zone (Zone 2). In case of theft by the defending team (Green), they will SERIES
carry out a Defense - Attack Transition, taking the ball to the other zone (Zone 1)
SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
25 ATTACK - DEFENSE TRANSITIONS (DEFENSIVE TRANSITIONS)
through passes and overcoming the line in driving.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
25 ATTACK - DEFENSE TRANSITIONS (DEFENSIVE TRANSITIONS)
GOALS
Adaptation to real competition situations where the player needs to quickly change the
attack-defense role after losing.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Control, passing, driving, dribbling, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, sacrifice, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence a high degree of defensive

concentration.
We divided into two teams of 8 players plus goalkeepers, divided into two groups of 4 (two groups participating and the other two
behind each goal).
The exercise begins with the attack of one of the offensive groups (red) against one of the defensive group (yellow). Once this
action is finished, the team that was defending (yellow) leaves the work area in an orderly manner, and the other group of their
teammates (yellow) appears in it, becoming the attacking team, against the first group of offensive players (red), who change their
work role to defend. The new group (yellow) must leave quickly to prevent the attacking team (red) from organizing defensively.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
25 ATTACK - DEFENSE TRANSITIONS (DEFENSIVE TRANSITIONS)
High intensity and offensive speed and quick shifts, coverage, changes and a good Rational Occupation of the Playing Field in
defensive actions.

VOLUME 25’
INTENSITY High

DURATION 5’
REPETITIONS 4
REP Recovery. 1’
SERIES
SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
26 POSSESSION SPECIFIC WORK MIDDLE FIELD

GOALS
Exercise designed to improve the specific work of the central midfielder by constantly
supporting his teammates and thus maintaining possession of the ball.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
Players are divided into two teams,
DEVELOPMENT
placed in pairs in each corner zone
or circle. The centre-midfielder
plays the role of an offensive wildcard in the central zone with the aim VOLUME
of maintaining possession of the ball for as long as possible, taking it INTENSITY
from one area to another through permanent support and assistance.
DURATION
Focus on constant mobility to
REPETITIONS
generate passing options.
Exercise in which the team that must recover the ball will have to use all REP Recovery. 20'H
possible defensive actions with anticipation and interceptions. SERIES igh6
Variation: add another central midfielder who can occupy any of the SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
five zones to maintain possession.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
27 POSSESSION CREATION OF PASSING LINES AND SWINGS

GOALS
Exercise for creating free passing lines through permanent support and assistance and
improving defensive swings.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
The teams are distributed as
DEVELOPMENT
indicated in the graph, playing 3x1
in Zones 1 and 2 with the help of 2
offensive wild cards in the central zone. VOLUME 15’
The team in possession of the ball will try to pass the ball through the INTENSITY High
cones in the opposing team's area, either from their own area or from a
DURATION 7’
Insist on carrying out a quick and
REPETITIONS 2
orderly tipping.
1’
teammate in the opposing area. The team that does not have the ball REP Recovery.
must make a good defensive shift, trying to avoid the goal through SERIES
interceptions or anticipations. SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
 28 POSSESSION WITH PROGRESSION IN DEPTH

GOALS
Possession drill to improve progression in depth through combinative or indirect play.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
On a surface as shown in the graph, 3 teams of 3 players are distributed. Inside the rectangle, possession is
contested 3x3 with the help of 3
DEVELOPMENT offensive wild cards (2 outside and 1
inside) with the objective of
progressing through combination or indirect play towards the mini goals VOLUME
formed by the cones and passing by driving. When the defending team
INTENSITY
Insist that passes are made with the
DURATION
intention of progressing.
recovers the ball near the opponent's cones, it will quickly try to pass REPETITIONS
through the opposing team's cones through counterattack play or REP Recovery.
directly. Rotations: In each repetition, one team will be a wild card. SERIES
SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
 29 5x5 POSSESSION AND 4 GOALS

GOALS
Possession drill designed to improve combination play through permanent support and
assistance to the ball possessor.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, shot, tackle, charge, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
A 5x5 possession is played as
DEVELOPMENT indicated in the graphic, with a
marked central zone where the team
in possession of the ball can have 2 players and the team trying to recover VOLUME
the ball can only have 1 player. To score a goal in any of the mini goals,
INTENSITY
two players in the central area must touch it. A header is worth double.
DURATION
Focus on constant mobility and
REPETITIONS
assistance to the ball carrier.
Variation: the coach will give the instructions for the attacking team to try REP Recovery. 20'H
to score a goal in one of the previously numbered goals. SERIES igh4
SER Recovery.

10

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
30 4X4+4 WILD CARDS POSSESSION WITH FOUR GOALS

GOALS
Possession drill to improve changes of direction, creation of free spaces and breakaway
runs with a high cognitive load.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
Possession drill with 4 goals to
DEVELOPMENT
improve changes of direction,
support and permanent assistance necessary for combination play from the base.
They are distributed on a surface as shown in the graphic, 4 mini goals VOLUME 20’
(or with cones), where a 4v4 is played with the help of 4 external INTENSITY Avera
offensive wild cards. A goal cannot be repeated in the same goal. Wild ge
DURATION
5’
Influence the creation of free spaces
REPETITIONS
and their final use. 3
cards play one-touch assisting the team in possession of the ball. REP Recovery.
1’
Variation: the defending team has the permanent role during the 5'. SERIES
Afterwards it will become a wild card. SER Recovery.

12

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
31 5x5 POSSESSION AND 5 WILD CARDS IN REDUCED SPACES

GOALS
Possession drill in small spaces to improve tactical combination play through support,
permanent assistance and runs.

Influenc in mobility of the

DEVELOPME ewildcards to support zones.
NT
On a surface as shown in the graphic, 3 teams of 5 players are
distributed, who will have to maintain possession of the ball with the VOLUME 20’
help of the 4 wild cards on the outside and 1 wild card inside. The INTENSITY Hig
mushrooms placed in the central areas of each side will force the DURATION h
players to make movements to receive the ball and not remain static REPETITIONS 5’
in the center. 3
REP Recovery.
Rotations: Wildcard team rotates each rep. Variation: Outside players 1’
may perform cushioning controls with their head or thigh in central SERIES
areas that are prohibited with their feet. SER Recovery.

15

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
32 POSSESSION IN SMALL SPACES 5X5 + 5 WILD CARDS AND 2
GOALKEEPERS
TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation
TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, shot, tackle, charge, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
32 POSSESSION IN SMALL SPACES 5X5 + 5 WILD CARDS AND 2
GOALKEEPERS
GOALS
Possession drill in small spaces to improve the tactical game through support, permanent
assistance, and breakaways with finishing.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, shot, tackle, charge, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT

A 5x5+5 wild cards and 2 goalkeepers are played in a space the size of
the 11-a-side football area as indicated in the graphic. Two teams VOLUME 20’
compete inside and one remains outside in the corners plus one INTENSITY Hig
player inside for support. The team that scores the most goals during DURATION h
Focus on constant mobility, helping
the time determined by the exercise wins the match. After 3 or 4 REPETITIONS
the person in possession of the
passes and having touched at least one outside wild card, the game
REP
ball. Recovery. 2'4
can be finished. The losing team occupies the wild card position.
Influence constant mobility, generating solutions for those in SERIES 2
possession of the ball. SER Recovery. 2’

17

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
 33 POSSESSION IN 3 ZONES COMBINATIVE PLAY AND COUNTERATTACK

GOALS
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or
direct play after recovering the ball.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, shot, tackle, charge, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence constant mobility and thus

generate free passing lines.

It starts with possession of the ball with the aim of taking the ball from the VOLUME
outer square (formed by red mushrooms) to the inner square (yellow INTENSITY
mushrooms) occupied by the goalkeeper through permanent support and
DURATION
assistance. If the goalkeeper receives the ball, he must perform directed control
and look for a pass to a free player from the team that maintains possession. REPETITIONS
The team occupying the middle square (between the red and yellow REP Recovery. 20'H
mushrooms) must prevent the ball from reaching the goalkeeper by intercepting SERIES igh9
it. If he manages to recover the ball, he must quickly leave his area to take the
ball to any of the mini goals located in the corners of the outer square through SER Recovery.

30

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
direct play.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 8

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
34 POSSESSION IN A CONTAINED SPACE WITH FAST FINISHES

GOALS
Exercise to improve combination or indirect play through possession and counterattack or
direct play after recovering the ball.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, shot, tackle, charge, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the reaction speed of the

In the space marked out as shown in the graph, two teams are placed, which are in
turn divided into the same number of players on each side of their goal. At the VOLUME 15'H
coach's signal, the players on the left side of each team will go out at maximum
speed through the outer area of the rectangle, passing behind the goal that they will INTENSITY igh3
have to defend in order to enter the playing area. The coach will put a ball inside and DURATION 0”
the two teams will play a 2v2 or 3v3 game and try to finish in the opponent's goal in
less than 20 minutes. If the ball goes out or ends in a goal before time, the coach will REPETITIONS
start with the next players who are waiting (those on the right side). Players who REP Recovery.
finish leave the area in an orderly manner without disturbing those who are starting
the race on the outside. And so on, the two teams alternate.
SERIES 2
SER Recovery. 2’

12

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 output command.

4.3 CONDITIONED MATCHES

CONDITIONED MATCHES. Conditioned matches allow us to reinforce the tactical, technical,
physical and psychological behaviours and skills that help the group achieve the objectives for
building our game model and confront the players with different variables that can occur throughout
the matches.
By applying different conditions or obligations, we seek to ensure that players acquire training
experiences of the individual and collective behaviors that we desire in our team in order to
successfully resolve the different game situations that may arise later in the competition.

Below are a series of conditioned matches that should serve as a basis for each coach's own design
based on the number of players he has, the space available, his own system, as well as the
objectives he wishes to improve and reinforce by applying rules or conditions so that many practical
situations occur during the performance of the task.

35. 4X4 CONDITIONING MATCH AND PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION

36. CONDITIONED MATCH WITH LIMITED AREAS
37. MATCH CONDITIONED WORK OF MIDFIELDERS
38. CONDITIONAL MATCH 8X8+2P TRIPLE AREA
39. CONDITIONED MATCH PLAY BY BANDS
40. CONDITIONED MATCH AIR GAME
41. CONDITIONED MATCH COMBINATIVE PLAY CREATION ZONE
42. CONDITIONED MATCH INTERIOR OUTSIDE GAME SYSTEM 1-4-2-3-1
43. CONDITIONED MATCH COUNTERATTACK IN 1-4-4-2 SYSTEM

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
 35 4X4 CONDITIONING MATCH AND PHYSICAL CIRCUIT COORDINATION

GOALS
Conditioned match to improve indirect play and direct play after recovery, combined with
a physical coordination circuit around the work area.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
Conditional matches will be played
DEVELOPMENT between 2 teams of 4 players +
goalkeepers to improve combination
play (indirect) and counterattack play (direct) after recovering the ball in a VOLUME
double area for 2'. INTENSITY
Meanwhile, the rest of the players perform a medium-intensity circuit
DURATION
Focus on playing direct play after
REPETITIONS
recovery and quick finishes.
around the playing area: Low plyometrics with jumps over lateral and REP Recovery.
frontal hurdles; Coordination Ladder; ZigZag between Pikes and Wide SERIES
Stride between Hoops. Recovery walking in the lateral areas. SER Recovery.

'i ei
•.M 18

F11
Midfiel
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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 2
36 CONDITIONED MATCH WITH LIMITED AREAS

GOALS
A match conditioned by the improvement of combination play in numerical superiority and
the use of crosses from the wing.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
A conditioned match is played
DEVELOPMENT
between two teams of 4 players
with the help of 4 offensive wild cards (2 inside and 2 outside), to improve combination play without being
able to enter the areas marked with mushrooms (neither defending nor VOLUME 20’
attacking). There is no limit on the number of touches per player, but at INTENSITY High
least two wild cards must touch the ball. A header is worth double.
DURATION 6’
Take advantage of numerical
REPETITIONS 3
superiority to generate free passing
REP
lines. Recovery. 1’
Rotations: Each team will be a wildcard for one repetition. Variation: To SERIES
make the exercise dynamic, the side wild cards cannot be pressured, but
SER Recovery.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 3
37 MATCH CONDITIONED WORK OF MIDFIELDERS
they must play one touch.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 9

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 4
37 MATCH CONDITIONED WORK OF MIDFIELDERS
GOALS
A match designed to improve combination play using the central midfielders in a 1-2-3-1 7-
a-side football system.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
On a surface as shown in the
DEVELOPMENT
graphic, 2 teams are distributed
based on a 1-2-3-1 7-a-side football system, where the wingers will be
offensive wild cards for the team in possession of the ball (4x4+2 wild VOLUME
cards + 2 goalkeepers). INTENSITY
To progress towards the opponent's goal, play must always pass through
DURATION
Emphasize that the central midfielders
REPETITIONS
can always generate support.
the Central Midfielders (who cannot leave their central zone) and at REP Recovery.
least one of the offensive wild cards on the wings must touch the ball. SERIES
SER Recovery.

12

10

30

Area
F11

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 9

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 5
37 MATCH CONDITIONED WORK OF MIDFIELDERS
Insist on giving speed to the game through tense passes, speed in the game by working in a small space.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
38
39 CONDITIONAL MATCH
CONDITIONED 8X8+2P
MATCH TRIPLE
PLAY AREA
BY BANDS

GOALS
Conditioned match to improve fast play with few touches aimed at small fields, simulating
real conditions of the next match.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
DEVELOPMENT

Two teams of 8 players plus 1 goalkeeper each will play a conditioned

VOLUME 30’
match, reducing the space as indicated in the graph. The objective is
to try to progress as quickly as possible towards the opponent's goal INTENSITY Media

DURATION 12'
and finish there with the only rule being to play with one touch using
Influence the use of single 12 walls and
walls, free spaces, quick passes and constant movement to give clear REPETITIONS
triple 1-2-3 with 3 players.
options to the ball holder. Variation: the difficulty of the exercise can REP Recovery.
be reduced by using the rule to touch and a half the ball. SERIES 2
SER Recovery. 2’

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 7
 GOALS
Match conditioned by improving the game on the wings through changes of direction in 1-
4-1-4-1 systems and arrivals to the finishing zone.

Influence in carry changes of

DEVELOPME out
precise orientation.
NT
The players are distributed as indicated in the graphic, placing 2
players from each team in the marked side areas, which can only be VOLUME
used by them. 4 mini goals are placed on the sides. A goal in the INTENSITY
central goal defended by the goalkeepers is worth 2 points and a goal DURATION
in the mini goals is worth 1 point. Combinative (indirect) game with no
REPETITIONS
limitation on touches, but the ball must pass through one of the wings
to score a goal. If the opposing team recovers the ball, they must carry REP Recovery.
out a counterattack through direct play. SERIES
SER Recovery.

20

¾
field
F11

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 8
40
39 CONDITIONED
CONDITIONEDMATCH
MATCHAIR GAME
PLAY BY BANDS

GOALS
A match conditioned by the improvement of the offensive and defensive aerial play after
crosses from the wing.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, dribble, feint, dribble, interception, anticipation and clearance.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention, sacrifice and concentration.
DEVELOPMENT Match conditioned by the offensive
improvement of the header
preceded by a change of direction or cross from the wing and the
defensive improvement of the directed header clearance. VOLUME
Two teams of 9 players + 1 goalkeeper are distributed, occupying 3/4 of INTENSITY
the field, where there is no limitation of touches, with the objective of DURATION
Focus on clearing the ball towards the
REPETITIONS
wings.
scoring a goal in the opposing goal through direct play valid for fields REP Recovery.
with small dimensions. Variation: with a goal kick, a central midfielder SERIES
or attacking midfielder extends the ball with his head to the forward SER Recovery.

20

(marking the desired areas).

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 9
41 CONDITIONED MATCH COMBINATIVE PLAY CREATION ZONE
GOALS
Match conditioned to improve the combination or indirect game and direct game or
counterattack after recovering the ball in the 1-5-3-2 system.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.
Two teams of 7 players + 3
DEVELOPMENT
offensive wild cards + 2
goalkeepers are distributed as indicated in the graph. Placing a central area where a 4v4 is played with the
help of an offensive wild card, after 3 or 4 passes you must combine VOLUME
with the outside wild card progressing towards the rival goal, with 2
INTENSITY
players from the possession area joining in the shot. The other two wild
DURATION
Focus on high mobility to support
REPETITIONS
possession players.
cards are positioned in outer areas where they cannot be pressured REP Recovery.
when they receive the ball and will be responsible for making the cross SERIES
to the forwards. Insist that the outside wildcard on the opposite side SER Recovery.

19

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
0
42 CONDITIONED MATCH INTERIOR OUTSIDE GAME SYSTEM 1-4-2-3-1
also joins in on the shot.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
1
42 CONDITIONED MATCH INTERIOR OUTSIDE GAME SYSTEM 1-4-2-3-1
GOALS
Modified match to improve the combination play inside and outside through the work
of the two midfielders of each team with permanent support and assistance.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, charging and tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT
The two teams are distributed in 1-4-2-3-1 systems, without the striker (for
20 players) on a surface as shown in the graphic with a central area of 20x20 VOLUME 25’
meters that can only be occupied by the central midfielders. To progress
INTENSITY Avera
towards the opposing goal, the game must always pass through the central ge
zone, where the central midfielders of each team will constantly compete DURATION
Focus on high mobility to support
12’
2v2. There is no technical limitation on passes in any zone. Insist that the REPETITIONS
possession players.
other players in the different lines offer favorable offensive and defensive REP Recovery.
tactical solutions to the midfielders. Variant: technical limitation of passes in
initiation zone (3), creation (2), completion (no limitation). SERIES 2
SER Recovery. 2’

20

¾
field
F11

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
2
43 CONDITIONED MATCH COUNTERATTACK IN 1-4-4-2 SYSTEM
GOALS
Match conditioned by the improvement of the counterattack after recovering the ball in
the rival team's creative zone in a 1-4-4-2 system.

TACTICAL Supports, assists, speed in the game, shooting, marking, counterattack, charging and
tackling.
TECHNICIANS Control, pass, driving, feint, dribble and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Defensive intensity in the central zone to

Two teams are placed in a 1-4-4-2 system with the help of 2 defensive wild cards in
the possession area marked by the central circle and another 4 offensive wild cards VOLUME 20’
on the wing who will act as wingers.
The game always starts from the possession area where the ball must be quickly
INTENSITY High
recovered with the help of the two defensive wild cards and a change of direction DURATION 6’
must be made to one of the wings, where the wild card after a short dribble will
REPETITIONS
make another change of direction (pass) to the centre of the area where the two
forwards and the wild card winger from the opposite wing will enter to finish. REP Recovery.
Variation: It starts with a long throw from the goalkeeper towards the central zone, SERIES 3
where possession will be contested for 20” of time, marked by the coach, after
which, after recovering the ball, the counterattack must be executed. SER Recovery. 1’

'i ei

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20

¾
field
F11

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
3
43 CONDITIONED MATCH COUNTERATTACK IN 1-4-4-2 SYSTEM
recover and initiate counterattacks.

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
4
 4.4 EXERCISES FOR GOALKEEPERS
The teaching and learning of goalkeeping technique must be integrated with the rest of the tactical,
physical and psychological aspects. Furthermore, it must be developed from the base, so that there
is no incorrect learning that is later more difficult to correct.

The effectiveness of the technical actions performed by the goalkeeper depends on his cognitive
ability in the development of the game. Let us remember then that the goalkeeper, like the rest of the
field players, must be trained with integrated or global exercises that allow him to develop the
capacity for perception, decision-making and execution at all times.

PERCEPTION – DECISION – EXECUTION

DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER

These are the technical actions carried out by the goalkeeper to counteract the actions of the
opponent in possession of the ball with the primary aim of preventing a goal in his goal by means of
Blocks, Deflections, Clearances, Extensions and Rebounds.

SPECIFIC TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER

ProlongationRejection
Blocking
Diversio
nCleara
Furthermore, before carrying out an effective technical action, the goalkeeper must adopt a basic
defensive position that will allow him to be prepared for the subsequent execution.
Another fundamental aspect of the goalkeeper's defensive technique is knowing the goalkeeper's
positioning on the bisector to reduce the opponent's shooting angle with the ball.

Basic defensive position. These are the previous movements that the goalkeeper makes before
executing the defensive action. Before making a block, a clearance or any defensive technical action,
the goalkeeper will make movements of: displacement, orientation and positioning.

DISPLACEMENT – ORIENTATION – PLACEMENT

The basic defensive position is characterized by the following keys:

• Slightly forward thorax.
• Semi-bent knees.
• Heels slightly raised with 90% of the foot touching the ground.
• Aggressive hands.
• Game-oriented vision at all times.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
5
Positioning of the goalkeeper on the bisector. The goalkeeper must know that good positioning or
placement on the bisector formed between the opposing player and the goal will reduce his shooting
angle and therefore increase the effectiveness of the technical action executed by the goalkeeper.

Therefore, a goalkeeper under the sticks will offer a greater shooting angle to the opponent than if
the goalkeeper makes an advance exit along the bisector, enabling a one-on-one action, thus
reducing the shooting angle and increasing the chances of avoiding a goal.

DIFFERENT MOMENTS OF EXECUTION IN THE

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
6
GOALKEEPER'S TECHNIQUEWe can make a simple classification of the technical actions that the
goalkeeper will perform based on the moment of execution of the technical action itself:
• Before contact with the ball.
• Contact with the ball.
• After contact with the ball.

OFFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER

These are the technical actions that the goalkeeper, like any other field player, performs when he has
the ball, to make all the possible technical gestures, both at the start of the play and with the ball in
play, through passes, controls, dribbles, dribbling, covering and even shooting.

OFFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER

Individual Technique Collective Technique
Control
Dodge
Ability Relay Pass Feint
Shot
Driving
Technical

TACTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOALKEEPER

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 0
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DOMINATION OF SPACE: the goalkeeper must dominate and organize the elements of the space
around him.
• Correct position, location and orientation of oneself with the ball in play or in set pieces with
respect to the goal, the ball, one's team and the opponent.
• Maintain an appropriate distance from your fellow defenders by performing tilting, progression
and retreat movements as part of the block.

SPACE DOMINATION with respect to

The To your
goalTo the teamTo
PARTICIPATION IN COLLECTIVE PLAY: ball your rival
a goalkeeper today has a great tactical involvement in
defense, being prepared for any situation that requires his action. To do so, he must be aware at all
times of Perceiving, Deciding and Executing the most favorable option for his team, as well as in
attack, both at the start of the game from a dead ball or with the ball already in play, also deciding
whether to start the attack with combination play (indirect) or direct play looking for a counterattack
(direct).

ORGANIZATION OF STRATEGY PLAYS: The goalkeeper must be in charge of organizing his

teammates in defensive strategy plays primarily.

44. REACTION SPEED FOR GOALKEEPERS

45. EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH FOR GOALKEEPERS
46. EXPLOSIVE FORCE RESISTANCE FOR GOALKEEPERS
47. TECHNICAL-PHYSICAL EXERCISE COORDINATION FOR GOALKEEPERS
48. DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER I
49. DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER II
50. OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE TACTICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER
51. 1x1 SITUATIONS AND POSITIONING ON THE GOALKEEPER'S BISECTOR
52. 1v1 SITUATIONS AND DIFFICULTY IN PERCEPTION OF THE GOALKEEPER

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44 REACTION SPEED FOR GOALKEEPERS
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of
deflection, blocking, clearing and offensive technical action of passing.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Deflection, blocking, clearance, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.

Focus on good timing and execution

DEVELOPMENT by all goalkeepers.

Four goalkeepers are distributed as

indicated in the graph, where one performs the exercise and the other three
work with him as follows:
VOLUME 20'
1. Flat detour to the left. INTENSITY High

2. Quick incorporation, skipping double support hurdles and blocking at DURATION 10”
medium height. Pass with your foot or hand to your partner. REPETITIONS 3
3. Lateral movement and clearance to the left of a high ball with the opposite
REP Recovery. 2’
hand.
Take into account the principle of multilateralism by changing the position of SERIES 8
the start of the cones and the proper technical execution of blocking, clearing, SER Recovery. 2’

10

lateral movement and falling or beating technique.

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45 EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH FOR GOALKEEPERS
GOALS
Exercise to improve specific goalkeeping techniques (blocking and clearing), as well as
explosive strength, which is essential for improving speed.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Deflection, blocking, clearance, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.

The goalkeeper must never lose

DEVELOPMENT sight of the ball from mushroom to
mushroom.

Four goalkeepers are distributed as indicated in the graph, where one

VOLUME 20'
performs the exercise and the other three work with him as follows:
1. The yellow goalkeeper begins the exercise, performing medium INTENSITY High
plyometrics on hurdles, returning to the cone without losing sight of the ball. DURATION 20”
2. The goalkeeper who is in front takes a shot that the yellow goalkeeper
REPETITIONS 3 2’
must block and pass the ball to the green goalkeeper with his hands.
3. The yellow goalkeeper zig-zags between pikes and must block or clear the REP Recovery. 8 2’
low ball to the near post, thrown by the green goalkeeper. SERIES
Changing the position of the start of the cones and the proper technical SER Recovery.

10

AREA
F11

execution of blocking, clearing, lateral movement and hitting.

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46 EXPLOSIVE FORCE RESISTANCE FOR GOALKEEPERS

GOALS
Exercise to improve defensive technical actions and resistance to explosive force through a 7-station
circuit.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Deflection, blocking, clearance, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.
DEVELOPMENT
Correct hand placement and body
Station 1: 1v1 situation, where the goalkeeper defending the goal will hold on to
avoid being dribbled. Station 2: Short pass with the inside of the foot. Use dominant VOLUME 30’
and non-dominant legs. Station 3: With a low fence, jump with feet together
forward and backward and perform a lateral block (low, medium or high) of a throw INTENSITY High
made by your partner. Station 4: zig-zag between pikes, lowering the body's center DURATION 2’
of gravity and at the exit, clearing the ball thrown by the partner, covering the short
post. Station 5: high, low and medium hand passes blocking the ball protected with REPETITIONS
the body. Station 6: The goalkeeper, located between the two pikes, circles them REP Recovery. 2’
from behind in an alternating manner to go out and block an aerial ball with a jump
and knee protection. Station 7: 1x1 possession + 2 Goalkeepers in a double area
SERIES 2
with constant finishing after passing between the goalkeeper and the player. SER Recovery. 2’

AREA
F11

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positioning.

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47 TECHNICAL-PHYSICAL EXERCISE COORDINATION FOR GOALKEEPERS

GOALS
3-station exercise to improve the goalkeeper's clearance technique, strength, coordination
and proprioception.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Deflection, blocking, clearance, lateral movement and passing.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on good lateral movement and

hitting.

3 or 4 goalkeepers are distributed as indicated in the graph to work on the following elements: Strength to enhance
the jump, Proprioception to avoid injuries, Clearing as a specific technical improvement of the position, General
coordination of the body and above all constant Mobility and Positioning at all times within the area.
1. Skipping quadriceps with 1 kg medicine ball.
2. Proprioception jumps on Bosu, mat jump and clearance.
3. Coordination ladder with 1 kg medicine ball.

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Change the position of the start of the cones. Rotations: from mushroom 1 to 2, from 2 to 3 and back in recovery trot
to mushroom 1.

VOLUME 20’
INTENSITY Avera
ge
DURATION
5’
REPETITIONS
3
REP Recovery.
1’
SERIES
SER Recovery.

10

AREA
F11

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49 DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER II

GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions of
deflection and blocking.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Deflection, blocking, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention, sacrifice and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on good timing and execution

by all goalkeepers.

Four goalkeepers are distributed as indicated in the graph, where one VOLUME
performs the exercise and the other three work with him as follows: INTENSITY
1. Aerial block on the left and return the ball long to the teammate. DURATION
2. In quick lateral movement, low block to the right.
REPETITIONS
3. Quick incorporation and low detour to the right.
4. Quick incorporation and high detour to the left. REP Recovery.
Take into account the principle of multilateralism by changing the position of SERIES
SER Recovery.

10

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49 DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER II
the start of the cones and the proper technical execution of blocking, deflection, lateral movement and striking.

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49 DEFENSIVE TECHNICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER II

GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's reaction speed in defensive technical actions such as
blocking and clearing.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Clearing, blocking, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT

Three goalkeepers are distributed as indicated in the graph, where VOLUME 20’
one performs the exercise and the other two work with him as INTENSITY High
follows:
DURATION 20”
1. Low block to the left. Focus on good timing and
2. Quick incorporation, passing between cones and low blocking to REPETITIONS 3
execution by all goalkeepers.
the right. REP Recovery.
3. quick incorporation and half-height clearance to the left. SERIES 10
Take into account the principle of multilateralism by changing the SER Recovery.

10

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 50 OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE TACTICAL ACTIONS OF THE GOALKEEPER

GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's tactical offensive and defensive play in situations
similar to those in competitive play.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Clearing, blocking, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.
A 4v4 possession is contested as indicated in
DEVELOPMENT the graphic, between two teams + 2

VOLUME 25’
INTENSITY High

DURATION 5’
Domination of space with respect to the 4
REPETITIONS
goal, the ball, teammates and opponents.
offensive wild cards on the wing. They must make a minimum of 2-3 passes to make a REP Recovery. 1’
change of direction on the wild cards and start a Counterattack. The team that does
SERIES
not have the ball must press to recover it and begin possession. When the red team
starts the counterattack, it brings two possession players into the shooting zone and a SER Recovery.

Half
Field
F11

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 51 1x1 SITUATIONS AND POSITIONING ON THE GOALKEEPER'S BISECTOR
player from the blue team must fall back to defend alongside the goalkeeper. If the goalkeeper stops the ball, he quickly starts a
counterattack against the wild card on the opposite side and it will be the blue team with only two players from the possession area
that will try to get to the points area by driving the ball and a red player will try to prevent it. If the play ends in a goal or in the
points zone, start the game from the possession zone.

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51 1x1 SITUATIONS AND POSITIONING ON THE GOALKEEPER'S BISECTOR
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response in decision-making in 1 vs 1 situations and
the correct position on the bisector formed between the ball and the goal.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Clearing, blocking, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.
Goalkeeper 1 starts the exercise
DEVELOPMENT with a pass with his foot to
goalkeeper 2, who performs
oriented control and passes to goalkeeper 3, who can decide between VOLUME 25'
dribbling between cones facing goalkeeper 1 to score in the large goal or
INTENSITY High
dribbling outside the cones and shooting at any of the mini goals on the
DURATION 30”
Influence the correct position on
REPETITIONS
the goalkeeper's bisector. 3 2’
sides. REP Recovery. 8 2’
Rotations: each goalkeeper works 3 repetitions. Variation: Goalkeeper SERIES
SER Recovery.

10

AREA
F11

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51 1x1 SITUATIONS AND POSITIONING ON THE GOALKEEPER'S BISECTOR
1 starts the game with a hand throw-in. After finishing the play the coach will quickly take a shot at the same
goal.

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52 1v1 SITUATIONS AND DIFFICULTY IN PERCEPTION OF THE
GOALKEEPER
GOALS
Exercise to improve the goalkeeper's response to situations with difficulty in perception
and the resolution of 1 vs 1 plays as in a real competition game.

TACTICAL Domination of space, ball, goal and opponent.

TECHNICIANS Clearing, blocking, lateral movement, passing and shooting.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Perception, decision, attention and concentration.
The 4 goalkeepers are positioned as
DEVELOPMENT indicated in the graph. Goalkeeper
1 starts with a pass with his hands
over the dolls to goalkeeper 2 who decides to shoot to the left or right of the 11-a-side football goal where
goalkeeper 1 must make a lateral clearance. He immediately gets up and must resolve the 1v1 situation with
goalkeeper 3 or 4 depending on which side goalkeeper 2 threw the ball to. The 1x1 situation must be
Focus on lowering the center of
gravity in the 1v1 situation.
resolved by lowering the center of gravity well and being well positioned on the bisector.

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52 1v1 SITUATIONS AND DIFFICULTY IN PERCEPTION OF THE
GOALKEEPER
Rotations: each goalkeeper works 3 repetitions.

VOLUME 25'
INTENSITY High

DURATION 25”
REPETITIONS 3 2’
REP Recovery. 8 2’
SERIES
SER Recovery.

10

0
8
AREA
F11

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 4.5 GAMES
GAMES. A training task designed in game format has all the characteristics of global exercises,
with great competitiveness, in addition to generating a good group atmosphere and helping to
improve group cohesion.
To consider an exercise as a game it must have the following characteristics: name of the game,
teams, rules, scoring and winners.

The games presented below can be used in the different phases of the training session, with
particular importance during the warm-up and cool-down.
The games are valid for all categories, conveniently modifying the level of intensity or distance.
The coach has in the game a powerful tool as a pedagogical teaching method, due to its playful
and competitive characteristics, which he must take full advantage of.

53. RELAY RACE GAME TECHNIQUE

54. RELAY RACE GAME PHYSICS TECHNIQUE
55. ENGLISH HIDE AND SEEK GAME
56. THE HUNTERS GAME
57. OCCUPY THE CONE GAME
58. CAT AND MOUSE GAME
59. CONCENTRATION GAME
60. I PLAY THE LINE
61. THE WALL AND THE SPIDER GAME
62. THE GAME OF PEPES AND PEPAS
63. I PLAY THE HANDKERCHIEF
64. KNOCK DOWN THE CONE GAME
65. I PLAY THE THREE ZONES
66. I PLAY THE THREE TEAMS
67. I PLAY THE H
68. I GAME THE IGLOO
69. TURRET ATTACK GAME
70. CASTLE ATTACK GAME
71. ATTACK – COUNTERATTACK GAME
72. THE dribblers' game
73. I PLAY THE HEADERS
74. 1X1 COMPETITION GAME
75. PENALTY AND STRETCHING COMPETITION GAME

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53 RELAY RACE GAME TECHNIQUE

GOALS
Classic relay game format for teams to improve linear ball handling and passing, while
promoting team competitiveness.

TACTICAL Speed in the game.

TECHNICIANS Pass, driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
The players are distributed into 3
DEVELOPMENT teams as indicated in the graph.

VOLUME 12’
INTENSITY High

DURATION 5’
Focus on driving with the outside of
REPETITIONS
the foot and head raised.
2
The first person in line must pass the ball backwards over his head REP Recovery. 1’
with his hand to the next person and so on until reaching the last SERIES 1
player, who will throw the ball on the ground and begin a quick drive SER Recovery.

12

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54 RELAY RACE GAME PHYSICS TECHNIQUE
to the cone and back, passing the ball to the first teammate in his line, who will repeat the process. The
player who drove and delivered the ball will be placed first, so that the teams will advance until they reach
the cones. The team that arrives first will win.

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 54 RELAY RACE GAME PHYSICS TECHNIQUE

GOALS
A game in a team relay competition format to improve the player's physical and
coordination skills, as well as ball handling, passing and control.

TACTICAL Speed in the game.

TECHNICIANS Pass, driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
The players are divided into 2 groups
DEVELOPMENT as shown in the graph. Start with a
linear drive, zigzag between pikes,
dribble the dummy and self-pass to the cone to be able to perform VOLUME 12’
coordination by jumping over the hoops with feet together. Pick up the High
ball from behind the cone and pass it long to the next teammate waiting INTENSITY
DURATION 5’
Focus on driving with the outside of
REPETITIONS
the foot and head raised. 2
at the exit. The team that completes the relay correctly first will win. REP Recovery. 1’
SERIES 1
SER Recovery.

12

10

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 55 ENGLISH HIDE AND SEEK GAME

GOALS
Classic game to improve balance and proprioception, specially designed for young players
in the final part of training or cooling down.

TACTICAL
TECHNICIANS
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
On a rectangular surface, all players
DEVELOPMENT stand on one leg in the Start area,

VOLUME
INTENSITY 7'Lo
w7'
DURATION
Focus on doing balance work with
1
REPETITIONS
both legs.
holding their foot with their hand. The trainer stands with his back to REP Recovery.
the goal area and says out loud “1, 2, 3 English hide and seek” and then SERIES
turns around. If he sees any player moving, he will order him to start SER Recovery.

12

20

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 56 THE HUNTERS GAME
again from the starting area. The first player to reach the finish area wins. Players can catch the foot with the
hand on the same side or with the hand on the opposite side. Variation: the players perform the exercise in
pairs, holding on to each other's legs.

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 56 THE HUNTERS GAME
GOALS
Classic game for general body activation, specially designed for young players in the initial
part of training or warm-up.

TACTICAL Breakaways, free spaces and pressing.

TECHNICIANS
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
On a surface as shown in the
DEVELOPMENT diagram, all the players are
distributed with a bib hanging on
their pants, except for 2 or 3 players depending on the space and the VOLUME
number of participants, who try to catch the bib from their teammates.
When they get it, they change roles. The player who leaves the marked INTENSITY
DURATION
Insist on constant mobility of all
REPETITIONS
players.
area while fleeing will hand over his vest to the pursuer. REP Recovery.
Variation: competition between 2 teams, at the end of time the one SERIES
who has collected the most vests will win. SER Recovery.

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57 OCCUPY THE CONE GAME
GOALS
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player
mobility.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of direction, change of pace, supports and aids.
TECHNICIANS Passing, controlling, dribbling and driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
In a space as indicated in the
DEVELOPMENT graphic, cones are distributed
randomly (3-4 less than the number
of players participating). Driving and passing while moving a ball in VOLUME 12’
pairs. At the Visual signal (lift mushroom) or Acoustic (... (NOW!!) They Avera
INTENSITY
drop the balls and at maximum speed they must occupy a cone. The 3- ge
DURATION
Influence perception, decision and
5’
REPETITIONS
correct execution constantly
2
4 who are left without a cone must sprint to touch a goal post and REP Recovery.
come back (about 10 m). Those who have the ball continue with the 2’
SERIES
game. The player who has left the cone unoccupied the least number 1
SER Recovery.

•«
12
% YO

30

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75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 1
58 CAT AND MOUSE GAME
of times wins.

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58 CAT AND MOUSE GAME

GOALS
Game designed to improve passing with the inside and control oriented as an alternative
to classic technical figures.

TACTICAL Speed in the game and change of direction.

TECHNICIANS Oriented pass and control.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
The players are distributed as
DEVELOPMENT indicated in the graphic in a circle
of 10 - 12 players with 2 balls that
will circulate around the rondo and that at the beginning must be VOLUME 15’
placed facing each other. At the coach's signal, they begin to pass the Avera
INTENSITY
balls in the same direction from teammate to teammate following the ge
DURATION
Focus on single-gesture oriented7’
REPETITIONS
control by outlining the body.
2
rondo (without jumping over anyone and using CONTROL AND PASS. It REP Recovery.
is about one ball catching the other. Change the direction of rotation 1’
SERIES
every time a ball hits another. The caught player must perform 10 1
SER Recovery.

12

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58 CAT AND MOUSE GAME
push-ups or squats depending on the category.

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59 CONCENTRATION GAME

GOALS
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in
the final part of training or calming down.

TACTICAL Anticipation
TECHNICIANS
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
Players are placed in 2 teams in
DEVELOPMENT pairs, approximately 1 meter apart
from a ball or mushroom between
them. The coach will say areas of the body that the player must touch VOLUME
(elbow, head, ankle, knee, etc.) or movements (clapping, sitting,
jumping, lying down, etc.), until he says the command, in this case INTENSITY
DURATION
Focus on maintaining concentration
REPETITIONS
and a good state of activation.
BALL!! and the players will try to take possession of the ball, with the REP Recovery.
team that keeps the most balls getting 1 point. Variation: replace the SERIES
ball with 2 mushrooms of different colors. Now the slogan will be the SER Recovery.

12

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60 I PLAY THE LINE
color of the mushroom.

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60 I PLAY THE LINE

GOALS
Game to improve reaction speed and linear ball control at maximum speed.

TACTICAL Speed in the game.

TECHNICIANS Driving.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
Players are placed in 2 teams in a line, separated by 3 meters as indicated in the graphic, with a distance of
approximately 2 meters between
DEVELOPMENT players.
Each player will be assigned a
number and a ball. When the coach calls out a number, the
corresponding players will drive out and circle around their entire line VOLUME
INTENSITY
Focus on driving with the outside of
DURATION
the foot and head raised.
until they return to their spot. The player who arrives first wins, getting REPETITIONS
1 point for his team. REP Recovery.
SERIES
SER Recovery.

12

12

10

8x20
m

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 61 THE WALL AND THE SPIDER GAME

GOALS
Games designed to improve progression in deep play, dribbling, feinting with or without
the ball and dribbling during the warm-up.

TACTICAL Speed in the game, change of pace, tackling and charging.

TECHNICIANS Driving, feinting, dribbling, tackling and charging
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on different tricks with the

body, feints and dribbles

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 62 THE GAME OF PEPES AND PEPAS
In rectangular spaces like the one in the graph, the group is divided into two teams.
The Wall: without the ball. All players to one side, except two in the middle holding hands who will move horizontally trying to
touch the players who want to pass them. If a player is touched, he stays with those in the middle. When those in the middle
manage to touch two players, they will be free, keeping the two they have caught.
The Spider: with a ball. Half of the players on one side with the ball and the others without the ball on the opposite side. Players
with the ball must try to get past the two players in the middle by dribbling, feints and dribbling. If they succeed, they will pass the
ball to their teammates waiting on the other side. If those in the middle recover the ball, an exchange of roles occurs.

VOLUME
INTENSITY
DURATION
REPETITIONS
REP Recovery.
SERIES
SER Recovery.

10

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 62 THE GAME OF PEPES AND PEPAS
GOALS
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in
the final part of the week as a speed exercise.

TACTICAL
TECHNICIANS
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
On a surface as shown in the graphic,
DEVELOPMENT the team is divided into two groups,
pairing the players.
Some will be Pepes (red) and others Pepas (yellow). With the players VOLUME 5’
standing with their backs to each other, approximately 1 metre apart and
activated for the speed exercise, at the Coach's command, for example, ... INTENSITY
High
DURATION 30”
Focus on maintaining concentration
REPETITIONS
and a good state of activation. 10
Pepas!!, the yellow players will run to their safety line and the red players REP Recovery.
will turn around and try to catch their yellow partners. The team that SERIES
saves the most players at the end of the game will win. SER Recovery.

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 63 I PLAY THE HANDKERCHIEF

GOALS
Game specially designed to improve concentration, reaction speed and group cohesion in
the final part of the week as a speed exercise.

TACTICAL
TECHNICIANS
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
Two teams of five players are made.
DEVELOPMENT The coach in the middle holds a

VOLUME 5’
INTENSITY High
DURATION 30”
Focus on maintaining concentration
REPETITIONS
and a good state of activation. 10
handkerchief or bib. Each player on both teams has an assigned number REP Recovery.
(example, 1 to 5). The coach will say a number and the corresponding SERIES
players will go out in search of the handkerchief. When they reach the SER Recovery.

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 64 KNOCK DOWN THE CONE GAME
point where the handkerchief is, it has to be caught by one of the participants. Whoever catches it runs to
their side trying not to get caught. The player who does not get the handkerchief or is caught in the chase is
eliminated. The team with the most players competing at the end of time will win.

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64 KNOCK DOWN THE CONE GAME
GOALS
Possession game to improve passing, targeted control, dribbling and constant player
mobility.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
2 teams of 5 players are distributed
DEVELOPMENT with the help of 2 offensive wild
cards on a surface as shown in the
graphic. The game consists of knocking down all of the opposing team's VOLUME
cones with the ball after having maintained possession of at least 4
passes in a row beforehand. The cone that is knocked down is removed INTENSITY
DURATION
Influence perception, decision and
REPETITIONS
correct execution constantly
from the playing area and is used to count the result. The team that REP Recovery.
knocks down all of the opponent's cones first will win. SERIES
Variation: knocking down a cone will be rewarded double if done with SER Recovery.

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64 KNOCK DOWN THE CONE GAME
the non-dominant leg.

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 65 I PLAY THE THREE ZONES
GOALS
Game designed to improve combination play by creating passing lines between outside
players in a confined space.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
3 teams of 3 players are distributed
DEVELOPMENT in 3 zones divided into 4 corridors.

VOLUME
INTENSITY
DURATION
Focus on the mobility of all players
REPETITIONS
and correct tilting.
The game consists of passing the ball between the players on the REP Recovery. 20'H
outside lines (green and yellow), looking for an unprotected area in the SERIES igh6
central zone defended by the red team, which must quickly move SER Recovery. '31'

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 66 I PLAY THE THREE TEAMS
around avoiding free passing lines and intercepting the balls. If the ball is intercepted by a player on the
center line, it is returned and play continues. The team that makes the most passes from one zone to another
without being intercepted will win. The three teams will rotate in the central zone

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66 I PLAY THE THREE TEAMS
GOALS
Competitive game to improve technical and tactical aspects, both offensive and defensive,
that appear in most competitive situations.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on the mobility of all players

3 teams of 5 players distributed in three zones as shown in the graph.
Start the exercise pe in Zone 1, where a 5x2 possession is contested between the yellow and
red players of Zone 2 who go out to defend. If the yellow team manages to link 4 passes, it VOLUME 20’
can change direction to the green players in Zone 3 who must carry out a control and start INTENSITY Hig
their possession 5x2 against two new red players as they have not managed to steal the ball in
Zone 1. The red players in Zone 2 who are waiting can intercept the pass when the direction DURATION h6'
changes from one zone to another. To do this, they must maintain good rational occupation
and quick swings. When the team that maintains possession loses the ball, it will perform an
REPETITIONS
intensive retreat to Zone 2, while the team that stole the ball occupies the zone. The ball is REP Recovery.
always returned to the opposing area where possession was being contested to restart play.
The team that makes the most passes from one area to another in a controlled condition will SERIES 3
win. SER Recovery. 1’

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66 I PLAY THE THREE TEAMS
and correct tilting.

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 67 I PLAY THE H
GOALS
Game to improve progression in depth and width, through offensive tactical principles
such as ball conservation, supports and walls.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging, anticipation and interception.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on progressing quickly with

passes to the opposing area.
In an H-shaped space as shown in the graphic, possession is contested 8x3. In each VOLUME
zone of the H, a 4x2 is played, with the objective of progressing to the other zone
through combination play (indirect) to get the ball to the teammate on the other side,
INTENSITY
getting 1 point each time. Only 2 players can defend inside, and one of them can change DURATION
zones if the ball has also changed zones. If the ball goes out or is recovered by the
REPETITIONS
defending players, play starts in the same area.
Insist on the constant mobility of outside players to generate the support and REP Recovery. 20'H
assistance necessary to maintain possession and progress from one area to another. The SERIES igh4
team that makes the most passes from one area to another in a controlled condition will
win. SER Recovery. '21'
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68 I GAME THE IGLOO

GOALS
Classic possession to improve combination play by adapting players to competition-like
situations in any area of the field.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
In a space as shown in the graph,
DEVELOPMENT two teams of 5 players with 3 inside

VOLUME 20’
INTENSITY Avera
ge
DURATION
Influence perception, decision and
6’
REPETITIONS
correct execution constantly
3
the zone (Igloo) and 2 outside it, carry out a possession with the help REP Recovery.
of 2 offensive wild cards inside. The game consists of giving a pass to 1’
SERIES
one of the players outside, who can enter the Igloo, with the player or 1
SER Recovery.

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68 I GAME THE IGLOO
wild card who gave the pass taking his place outside. Each time an outside player enters the Igloo, 1 point
will be awarded, and 2 points if the player entering is a wild card. The team with the most points at the end
of the game will win.

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69 TURRET ATTACK GAME
GOALS
A game with a high cognitive load to improve tactics in terms of running away, creating
free spaces, changing direction, the long pass technique and oriented control.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence perception, decision and

correct
execution constantly

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70 CASTLE ATTACK GAME
10x5 possession game between 3 teams of 5 players each. Two teams team up to keep the ball. yellow and green through passes
and controls until a teammate makes a run and can receive the ball in one of the turrets marked with mushrooms in the corners,
where he must perform an oriented control to score 1 point. The red team that does not have possession must recover the ball as
soon as possible, through anticipation and interceptions, preventing potential receivers from receiving the ball at the Turrets. The
team that loses the ball goes on to defend and the other team and the team that was previously defending team up to maintain
possession. The team that scores the most points by carrying out controls inside the turrets will win. Variation: Variable scoring
system, 1 point for foot-oriented control, 2 points for chest or thigh control, and 3 points for head control.

VOLUME
INTENSITY
DURATION
REPETITIONS
REP Recovery.
SERIES
SER Recovery.

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40x40
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70 CASTLE ATTACK GAME
GOALS
Game for tactical improvement of marking, support, creation of free spaces, changes of
direction, medium pass technique and oriented control.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Insist that the point is made after a

6x6 possession game between two teams with the particularity that the
team with the role of defending the castle will do so in pairs holding hands VOLUME 20’
to recover the ball. The team that maintains possession of the ball must
INTENSITY Avera
score the highest number of points during 2' when a teammate performs an ge
oriented control inside the Castle. If the opposing team recovers the ball, it is DURATION
returned to continue play. There should be no players waiting inside the REPETITIONS 9’
castle, they arrive to carry out the check. The team with the most points at REP Recovery.
the end of the game will win. Variation: Variable scoring system, 1 point for
foot-oriented control, 2 points for chest or thigh control, and 3 points for SERIES 2
head control. SER Recovery. 2’

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70 CASTLE ATTACK GAME
breakaway in the castle.

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71 ATTACK - COUNTERATTACK GAME
GOALS
Game for the tactical improvement of the offensive principles of Attack through indirect play for one team
and the other Counterattack through direct play in situations similar to the competition.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the types of direct or

The players are distributed as indicated in the graphic in two teams to play a
7v7 + 1 goalkeeper. The Red team carries out a combination attack with the
aim of scoring a goal in the central goal, after having 4-5 passes between VOLUME 25’
them. They can change direction in all directions and finish in both directions INTENSITY Avera
of the goal. The Yellow team, with the help of the goalkeeper, must defend ge
the goal and try to recover the ball to start a quick counterattack (few players DURATION
and passes) with the aim of scoring a goal in any of the 4 mini goals located REPETITIONS 5’
in the corners. No player can enter the central zone defended by the
goalkeeper (neither defend nor shoot). If the green team scores a goal, they REP Recovery.
restart the game with a throw-in. Score and Winners: The team that scores SERIES 4
the most goals. Rotations: 2 series as an attacking team and two as a
counterattacking team. SER Recovery. 1’

'if
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72 THE dribblers' game
indirect play for each team.

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72 THE dribblers' game
GOALS
Game to improve dribbling, feint, driving, charging, interception, tackling and tackling.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the unique lateral

movement of the wild cards.
The players are distributed as indicated in the graph in three teams. A wildcard team
VOLUME 15’
must defend the mini cone goals by intercepting them with lateral movements,
preventing a player from the other team from dribbling and passing with the ball. The INTENSITY Avera
blue team, for example, with a ball each player must try during the duration of the ge
DURATION
game to pass between the cones defended by the wild cards by means of a dribble or 4’
feint, and must also use good dribbling. The red team must prevent the blue team REPETITIONS
3
players from achieving their goal by means of defensive actions such as tackling, REP Recovery.
charging and attacking. Scoring and Winners: The team that performs the most 1
dribbles passing a ball between the cones defended by the wild cards. Rotations: each
SERIES
1
repetition a team will be a wild card and will defend the mini goals. SER Recovery.

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73 I PLAY THE HEADERS
GOALS
A particularly fun game to improve control, passing and heading, simulating many real
competition situations.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Influence the generation of many

head-shot actions.

A possession is carried out in a small space 4x4 with the foot + 4 offensive Wild VOLUME 15’
Cards in the corners with a ball in hand. When a wild card receives a pass at INTENSITY Avera
the foot of a player, he throws the ball with his hand into the shooting area, ge
where the players who had possession must finish the play with a header. DURATION
4’
Insist on the correct execution of technical actions and that the wildcard REPETITIONS
players always have the ball ready in their hands, so that the exercise is 3
REP Recovery.
dynamic. Winners: the team that scores the most goals during the mini- 1
SERIES
matches. Rotations: Each team will act as a wild card once, throwing balls to 1
the spikers. SER Recovery.

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74 1X1 COMPETITION GAME

GOALS
Game specially designed for the tactical improvement of the centre forward's runs through
1v1 situations, targeted control and shooting in real situations.

TACTICAL Supports, markings, mobility, pressing, entry, loading and anticipation

TECHNICIANS Pass, control, dribble, driving, tackling, charging and anticipation.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.
Players are distributed as indicated
DEVELOPMENT in the graph to play 1v1 each

round. The two teams are placed behind the goal line so that the game
is continuous and dynamic. The attacking player must ask one of his VOLUME 20’
teammates (anyone) for the ball by calling him by name and make a INTENSITY High

DURATION 4’
Focus on making a prior move,
REPETITIONS
precise control and shot. 4
run to receive the ball in an optimal position. It can be finished in REP Recovery. 1
either goal. The player has to control the ball before shooting. A goal SERIES
competition will be held between the two teams. First, the attackers SER Recovery.
are from the yellow team and the defenders are from the red team.

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74 1X1 COMPETITION GAME
The team that scores the most goals at the end of the game will win.

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 PENALTY AND STRETCHING COMPETITION GAME

GOALS
A game specially designed for the final part of training or cool down, where players must lower their level of activation
with some stretching and a penalty competition that all players enjoy.

TACTICAL
TECHNICIANS Shot, block, clearance, deflection and good positioning of the goalkeeper.
PHYSICAL Resistance – Strength – Speed – Flexibility – Coordination.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Teamwork, competitiveness, attention and concentration.

DEVELOPMENT Focus on correct stretching and

proper execution.
The players are distributed as indicated in the graph, combining the necessary Static VOLUME 10’
Stretches of the lower body with a Penalty Competition Game for teams. Stretching
should primarily focus on the lower body, with the quadriceps, psoas, calves,
INTENSITY Low
hamstrings, abductors, glutes… DURATION
Modality 1: the first group does the stretching and the second group takes the REPETITIONS
penalties. The goalkeeper of the second group stretches, while the goalkeeper of the
first group tries to stop the penalties. REP Recovery.
Modality 2: the two groups take turns taking penalties, so that the players who fail are SERIES
eliminated from the next round and will do the stretching. He who scores a goal, keeps
shooting. Goalkeepers also take penalties. SER Recovery.

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CAPITULO 5. LEGEND OF BASIC SYMBOLS USED

Summary of some of the basic symbols used for the graphic interpretation of the proposed tasks,
exercises and games.

CAPITULO 6. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES FOR CONSULTATION

Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)
• MORENO, MARIANO. Basic tactics in youth football stages. Madrid, RFEF National School,
2011.
• MORENO, MARIANO. Teaching grassroots football techniques. Madrid, RFEF National
School, 2011.
• FRIAR ARANDA, ANTONIO. Methodology of teaching and sports training applied to
football. Madrid, RFEF National School, 2010.
• COCA MARTINEZ, SANTIAGO. Team management. Madrid, RFEF National School, 2010.
• FAT BROWN, SILVIA. Eleven hundred a side football words. Madrid, RFEF National
School, 2014.
• SPAIN PINK, MIGUEL ANGEL. Specific goalkeeper techniques and tactics. Educational
material from the RFEF National Coaching School.

Royal Madrid Football Federation (RFFM)

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 • Individual and collective tactics. Game fundamentals. Educational material from the RFFM
Coaching School.
• Tactics and game systems. Educational material from the RFFM Coaching School.
• Technique in grassroots football. Educational material from the RFFM Coaching School.
• Physical preparation in football. Educational material from the RFFM Coaching School.
• Football goalkeeper training. Educational material from the RFFM Coaching School.
• The teaching and learning processes of football. Educational material from the RFFM
Coaching School.
• Teaching methods and styles. Educational material from the RFFM Coaching School.

International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)

• FIFA Technical Management Manual. FIFA Coaching international training programme.
• Games with reduced numbers and integrated physical preparation. FIFA Coaching
international training programme.
• Goalkeeper training. Technical and tactical aspects. FIFA Coaching international training
programme.
• FIFA. Rules of the Game 2015-16 Spanish. FIFA Regulations. Swiss. Available at
http://es.fifa.com/mm/Document/FootballDevelopment/Refereeing/02/36/01/11/Lawsofthega
mewebES_Spanish.pdf (accessed 21-12-2016).
• FIFA. Laws of the Game 2016-17 English. FIFA Regulations. Swiss. Available at
http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/footballdevelopment/refereeing/02/79/92/44/laws.of.
the.game.2016.2017_neutral.pdf (accessed 21-12-2016).
• FIFA. Grassroots, for football coaches – educators. Swiss. Available at
http://grassroots.fifa.com/fileadmin/assets/pdf/grassroots_en.pdf (accessed 21-12-2016).

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

• UEFA. Training Ground - Grassroots football. Swiss. Available at
http://es.uefa.org/video/grassroots/index.html (accessed 18-02-2017).
• UEFA. Training Ground - Coaches. Swiss. Available at
http://es.uefa.org/video/coaches/index.html (accessed 18-02-2017).

Royal Spanish Academy (RAE)

• RAE. Dictionary of the Spanish Language. Spain. Available at http://www.rae.es/obras-
academicas/diccionarios/diccionario-de-la-lengua-espanola (visited on 15-04-2016).

Moreno and Conde Sports

• ASENSIO, JAVIER. The specific trainer for set pieces. Spain, Moreno and Conde Sports,
2015.
• CASAIS, LUIS. Grassroots football: training in youth categories Vol. 2. Spain, Moreno and
Conde Sports, 2010.
• SANS, ALEX and FRATAROLA, CESAR. The fundamentals of football. Vigo, Moreno and
Conde Sports, 2012.

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REFLECTION. THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT
By ALEJANDRO LÓPEZ GUTIÉRREZ - National Football Coach – UEFA PRO

They say that the best way to learn is to experience something and reproduce it. Repeat, repeat
and repeat. At any cost? Either way? Definitely not.

WORLD CHAMPION OF PASSING AGAINST THE WALL

Not long ago, I had a colleague, Jaime Valdecantos, a brilliant physical trainer, who, in order to
explain the new training methodologies, used a brilliant anecdote: “If you make a child do passes
against the wall every day for hours, he will learn to do passes against the wall. He won't know how
to play football, he won't even be a good passer. He will not, of course, learn to pass to
teammates, moving targets, at a certain time, in a certain direction, with the appropriate tension
and/or effect to give his teammate an advantage. He will only be world champion for making
passes against the wall."

That is why football coaches must face the challenge of reproducing match situations in training.
How can we experience and repeat them in the most open sport in the world?
It is played outdoors (sensitive to inclement weather), by teams of 11 members (more than most
sports, except rugby), with a spherical ball (rugby also seems more open) but the differential factor
is that it is played mainly with the feet, which is a non-dominant part of the body and also that
makes the ball circulate on a more or less uneven floor (it is not parquet). Therefore, football is the
sport with the fewest closed actions (not even the penalty is, since you interact with a goalkeeper)
and designing training tasks requires special dedication.

THE CONTEXT
On other occasions we will talk about what surrounds the task (directions, scoring...) to influence its
good development, today we focus on the different ways of contextualizing a task, which will make
the task grow in difficulty and we must distribute them in such a way that the player's learning is
progressive, without stagnating and without generating frustration.
The context is all those variables that influence the repetition of the action to be worked on, such as
time, space, orientation, etc.
Combining all these variables depends on our ability to predict what each of our choices will cause.
Below we will discuss some of them:

Space. Reducing space can lead to a decrease in

difficulty by reducing the distance in passes, for
example. It can also cause an increase in difficulty
by decreasing the time for the holder to decide and
execute. The shape of the space also has an
impact, for example, longer fields encourage deep
passes. (Thomas Tuchel's diamond-shaped pitches
are a clear example of his influence.

“Mainz stopped training on a rectangular pitch

and started training on a diamond-shaped pitch”

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Number of players. The number of players determines the proximity to the game and the volume
of participation. That is, the more players, the closer the game (more real interactions, by number
of options and number of opponents up to 11x11) and the lower number of participations (same
ball for more players).

Distribution of players. We refer to tasks that are carried out in equality, in numerical superiority
or in numerical inferiority. How they affect the settlement of the principle is obvious, depending on
whether it is an offensive or defensive principle and its associated subprinciples. It will also give us
a lot of agility to work in certain physiological regimes.

Orientation. We can do exercises without orientation, without goals or scoring zones, with a single
scoring zone for both teams, with one scoring zone for each team, two for one team and one for
the other, different ways of scoring, etc. The only thing we have to do is take into account the
consequences of each fact and if it fits with our game model or the relationship with the principles
worked on in the session, in the week, etc. For example, without scoring zones, the pressure will
focus on more micro aspects, that is, it will be reduced to sub-principles included in pressing such
as entries or anticipations but, for example, the coverages will be decontextualized since a specific
area should not be protected and coverage without prioritizing an area to be defended does not
make sense. It's not worse, we just have to take it into account.

Decision making. The drill can be completely directed or the player can have several options for
acting. Decision-making is trained, of course, and it greatly enriches the task.

Example 1: 1x1 exercise + 2 goalkeepers.

Two players play 1v1 in turns (one always attacks
for a certain period of time, then roles change) in a
double area and can finish at either of the two
goals, each occupied by a goalkeeper. An assistant
introduces a ball into the playing area with a pass to
the attacking player. The player must perceive his
own situation, that of the opponent, the ball and the
goalkeepers; decide which goal will be easier for
him to score on and execute the technical action.
This exercise is richer than if it were the same but
with only one goal. Regarding realism, a player
cannot score in both goals, but he can decide that it
is not time to finish but to keep the ball and wait for
a more suitable moment.

Other rules. The number of touches (maximum

– minimum), or whether we have to go through certain areas, will help us contextualize or
decontextualize the principle to be worked on in order to prioritize its learning, just like all the other
variables, they can influence in many ways, we just have to take them into account and prioritize
what and how we want to work. For example, if a team plays with a minimum of two touches, it
removes the pressure from the rival

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 team from reality, since in a match the rival cannot be forced to play with certain touches, but in
initial tasks regarding this principle it will lay the foundations since it will easily find a reward for this
pressure.

Example 2: Chinese Rondo with goals.

Chinese Rondo (two zones and three teams) is a
possession-progression game in which two teams
occupy a given playing area, in that area one team
has the role of attacker-possessor, another
defender and a third team waits in another area. If
the team in possession makes a certain number of
passes (5 for example) it passes the ball to the third
team and the defender remains the same but in the
other zone.
The difference with a basic Chinese rondo is that
the defending team, when stealing, decides whether
to try to score a goal in that same area
(counterattack) or pass the ball to the team waiting
in the other area (keep). If he does not achieve
either of these two things successfully (fails to score
or does not return the ball in the proper conditions to
the waiting team) he continues defending by
changing zones.

Reflections on the context of the Chinese Rondo

The principle of propensities invites us to consider that the space should not be very wide so that
the volume of appearance of theft and discrimination of the counterattack and conservation of the
ball is high.
We work in 4x4x4 teams since it is a number that provides us with balance between the
appearance of pressing sub-principles without any player being able to be the protagonist of this
type of action. We decided to play it in numerical equality for this very reason.
Orientation is necessary for players to understand how to direct their pressure and experience the
feeling of attacking in the direction of the steal and keeping it in another direction (usually
backwards).
The exercise has a high degree of decision-making in the protagonist principle, in the associated
subprinciples and antagonistic principles.
The number of touches by the team in possession is not modified by rules, although the first time
the exercise is carried out we can make the players give a minimum of two touches, to facilitate the
theft by the defending team. We see how it is also played in two zones, which are activated
alternately.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The creation of the book “75 Essential Exercises and Games for Grassroots
Football” is a compilation of training tasks that I have put into practice during many
sessions as a football coach and that, thanks to the commitment and talent of all the
players who have been under my charge, I have been able to develop, improve and
perfect over the years.

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
7
I would like to thank all the coaches and training partners I have met along the way,
great football professionals who in one way or another have helped me improve as a
coach.

I would like to extend my thanks to each and every one of the teachers at the RFFM
who have made this work possible, because with their pedagogical demands, they
knew how to awaken in me the spirit of improvement.

To La Clínica del Fútbol, a leading website for training football coaches in Spanish,
for publishing and promoting my articles regularly on social media and the web,
because without their selfless help this project would not be possible.

I would also like to make a special mention of Alejandro López Gutiérrez for
contributing to the book, the Prologue, written with the same care that he showed me
during the National Coaching Course and the Final Reflection, a very high-level
document, on where football teaching should be directed today.

I cannot close this chapter of thanks without remembering with emotion that behind
“José the coach” there is a family, who, in my mistakes or successes, have always
been by my side with their unconditional love.

Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
8
Other books by Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo

BUILDING THE GAME MODEL - From theory to practice

CONSTRUCTION OF THE
GAME MODEL
From theory to practice

The book Construction of the Game Model - From theory to practice, aims to provide each of you,
youth and youth football coaches, with the necessary tools in this guide to be able to develop your
own game model.
The game model is not something exclusive to professional football or renowned coaches. Each

coach has a game idea for his team, his own game model.
In addition, the book contains the necessary material for a full season with 71 training sessions.

This EBook has spectacular content, starting with the

theoretical part to the practice of the Game Model and continuing with 71 Training Sessions of
absolute quality.
Learn how to build and implement your own Game Model!!

7-A-SIDE FOOTBALL. Planning - Methodology - Training

EBook on 7-a-side football with 123 pages of pure football and spectacular content that includes
the
Game system; Planning; Methodology; Full season training with 70 sessions + 15 technical
sessions.
Grassroots football needs coaches trained like you!!

Professor Jose Luis Mejias Pozuelo 1

75 ESSENTIAL EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL 6
9
 75
ESSENTIAL exercises and games for youth
football

This book contains a variety of high-

quality exercises and games that will
serve as a daily tool for coaches who want
to guide and teach their players about
football as a global subject.

The exercises and games are

presented in a clear and very attractive file format, with the
proposed objectives, the development of the task,
important aspects to take into account, as well as the work
volumes, materials used and dimensions.

7 r F
m III r