Low block defence exercises for U16 players
Defending in a low block is one of the most complex phases to coach with U16 teams (15-16 years). It requires collective organisation, communication and great tactical discipline. At this level, players must execute the block with high precision, managing the press trigger, defensive shifting and recovery transitions with automatism. In this article you will find 5 low block defence exercises for U16 players, with objective, materials, space, duration and a variation for each one. Exercises that teach your players how to maintain compactness, communicate and defend as a unit against sophisticated attacking play.
Why work on low block defence with U16 players?
Low block defending — also called organised retreat or zonal defending in a low position — is one of the most complex tactical phases to coach in youth football. For U16 players (15-16 years), mastering the block is a prerequisite for playing high-level organised football. Three pedagogical principles to keep in mind. First, compactness: the team must maintain short distances between lines and between players, making it difficult for the opponent to find space between the lines. Second, communication: defensive organisation requires constant verbal communication to alert teammates to movements of the ball and opponents. Third, collective discipline: the low block only works when all players respect their positions and do not break the block by pressing individually. These exercises work on these principles through attack-defence situations that simulate full-game low block scenarios with different attacking objectives.
Exercises 5
Attack-Defence 10v9
| Objective | Improve attacking play in the opponent's half, improve attacking against a low block, improve turn connections, make penetrating runs |
| Players | 19 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 8 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ½ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ½ pitch with 10 players against 8 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals or reach the white zone with a controlled ball.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
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| Objective | Improve attacking play in the opponent's half, improve attacking against a low block, improve ball progression. Improve defence in own half |
| Players | 19 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 8 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ½ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ½ pitch with 10 players against 8 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals or reach the white zone with a controlled ball.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
Attack-Defence 10v10
| Objective | Improve build-up from goalkeeper kick-out, improve turn connections. Improve pressure in own half |
| Players | 20 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 9 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ¾ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ¾ pitch with 10 players against 9 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals or reach the white zone with a controlled ball.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
Attack-Defence 10v10
| Objective | Improve build-up from goalkeeper kick-out, improve ball progression. Improve pressure in own half |
| Players | 20 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 9 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ¾ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ¾ pitch with 10 players against 9 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals or reach the white zone with a controlled ball.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
Attack-Defence 10v9
| Objective | Improve ball progression, break through the opponent's last line, attack space with penetrating runs and finish. Improve low block defending |
| Players | 19 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 8 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ¾ football pitch or full pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ¾ pitch with 10 players against 8 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals.
Attack: focus on the timing of actions and relationship distances of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the final pass into penetrating runs. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
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Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the low block and when does the team use it?
The low block is a defensive structure in which the team retreats towards their own half and defends with compactness, making it difficult for the opponent to find spaces between the lines. It is used when the team needs to protect the result, when facing a superior opponent or when the defensive organisation does not allow a high press.
How do I teach my U16 players not to step out of the block too early?
The main error when defending in a low block is that individual players press without collective criteria, breaking the compactness. The key is to establish clear triggers: when to press (when the opponent makes a poor control or is under pressure), when to stay (when the ball is far away or the block is compact). At U16, work on recognising the trigger as a shared automatism across the team.
How many players can I use to work on low block defence?
"The most effective low block exercises work with 10-16 players, since you need a full team in the block and another one attacking. However, reduced attack-defence situations (7v5, 8v6) can also work well for introducing specific concepts with fewer players."
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