FIFA Training Centre (@fifatrainingcentre)

Jordan v Argentina: Exploiting the reaction window 🎯   At short range, a direct free kick can reach the goal in well under one second, leaving the goalkeeper with almost no time to react.   Against Jordan, Lionel Messi didn't just rely on pinpoint accuracy or power. Instead, he exploited the…

Organisation: 🟡 Mark out a 16x16m grid using flat discs/cones. 🟡 Create two, 2m-wide gates using flat discs/cones. 🟡 Position pole/mannequin gates 6m from the flat discs/cones. 🟡 Place the poles/mannequins 2m apart from each other. 🟡 Position the sets of pole/mannequin gates 6m apart. 🟡 Place two…

He may not have the weak-footed curling shot in his locker, but former Premier League defender and England U21s assistant coach Michael Johnson shares valuable insights into defending, including the correct way to shift across and why it’s crucial to prevent a winger from cutting inside…

Two to beat. One to remember! An outstanding display of individual attacking ability from Wu Yichen! With her back to goal, the China PR forward protected possession and turned away from her first defender. She then took on a second Brazilian player in a 1v1, created space to shoot and fired a…

A steal with a sting! ⚡ A perfect example of how quickly a defensive action can become an attacking opportunity! During the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, DPR Korea anticipated the USA's pass, intercepted the ball and immediately played forward. A clever reverse pass opened up space for Ri Ye Rim…

Legia Warsaw: THE FORWARD MOMENT This drill focuses on developing a player’s ability to scan before receiving, move towards the ball with good timing, and use a positive first touch into space. It also encourages players to protect the ball effectively with their body and arm under pressure from…

A HUGE SAVE AT A CRUCIAL MOMENT! 🧤🇳🇬 With Nigeria leading 2-0 in the 88th minute, Mexico's Zoe Sanchez unleashed a powerful effort from long range, but goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho produced a brilliant save to deny Mexico a way back into the game! Nigeria went on to secure a 2-1 victory and book their…

Legia Warsaw: PRESSURE FROM BEHIND This drill focuses on developing a player’s ability to deal with pressure from behind, make quick decisions, and combine effectively in a 2v1 situation. It encourages attackers to create clear passing angles, time their movements well, and use the ball…

Pure joy. Pure passion. Pure Ghana! 🇬🇭 After a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Argentina, Ghana's players couldn't contain their excitement! Dancing, singing and celebrating together as they secured their place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup! Football is about…

ONE TURN. ONE PASS. ONE GOAL. 🇬🇭⚡ Cynthia Obinsrewuo produced a brilliant first touch and turn to escape her marker before driving into the penalty area and finding Jessica Appiah. Appiah beat her defender and calmly placed the ball into the net to give Ghana a 1-0 lead against Argentina. Ghana…

THE SAVE THAT KEPT BRAZIL ALIVE! 🇧🇷🧤 88th minute. 3–3. Everything on the line. Poland's Zofia Burzan unleashed a powerful strike from nearly 30 metres, but Brazil goalkeeper Nathy produced a sensational save to keep her side's hopes alive in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™…

WIN THE BALL. ATTACK THE SPACE. 🇲🇽⚡ Mexico's stunning counter-attack against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ shows how quickly regaining possession can turn defence into attack. After winning the ball deep in their own half, Mexico immediately looked to exploit the space left behind Germany's…

NEC Nijmegen U-19s: THE FULL-FLEDGED 4-4-2 This 11v11 drill trains high pressing in a 1-4-4-2 against a 1-4-3-3 on a full pitch. The pressing is led by the two strikers, and if the opponent plays a pass between them, a centre-midfielder steps up aggressively to close the space, regain control and…

VIRGA SAYS NO! 🧤 A crucial intervention to protect Argentina's lead! 👏 With Argentina leading Morocco 1-0 at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™, Meryem Oubella found space to shoot following a clever exchange of passes around the edge of the penalty area. But Bianca Virga was ready, producing an…

ONE FLICK! ONE INCREDIBLE GOAL! 🇨🇳 A moment of individual brilliance from Liu Yuxi at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™! 🔥 The move started with China's goalkeeper, as the team worked the ball down the flank with clever passing and purposeful movement. Then came the magic! ✨ Liu Yuxi flicked the…

WHAT A TOUCH! WHAT A FINISH! ⚽🇧🇷 A moment of individual brilliance from Carol Melo at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™! In the 13th minute against Norway, Andreyna played a superb 20-metre pass between the lines, helping Brazil progress through the opposition's defence. The move eventually reached…

HOW TO EXPLOIT A 3V2 COUNTER-ATTACK ⚡🇳🇬 Sometimes, the most important movement in a counter-attack comes from a player who never touches the ball. Against Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, Nigeria turned a defensive situation into a 3v2 attacking overload. As Victor Moses drove forward at pace…

WHAT A SAVE BY HANNA BUCHTA! 🧤🇵🇱 A brilliant example of patience and quick reactions from Poland's goalkeeper! In the 84th minute of their final FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™ group stage match, Puerto Rico's Reese Lanier fired a dangerous shot from close range following a corner. But Hanna Buchta…

Seated to vertical and lateral jumps (bilateral) Load type and level: 🟡 Static to elastic and medium 1 set includes: 🟡 1 x vertical to lateral left 🟡 1 x vertical to lateral right Focus: 🟡 This variation adds a reactive countermovement into the equation. Upon landing from the initial vertical…

Seated to vertical jump (bilateral) Load type and level: 🟡 Static and low 1 set includes: 🟡 2 to 3 single max. reps Focus: 🟡 This bilateral variation emphasises collective triple extension (ankle, knee and hip) to develop explosive force from a static, concentric, uncoiled position. Execution: 🟡…

BEAUTIFUL DIRECT FOOTBALL! 🇲🇽⚽ A searching long ball picks out Mexico's Bianka Arredondo in the opposite channel during their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup clash with Chile. Arredondo cleverly hooks the ball back inside for Citlalli Reyes, who finishes brilliantly with the outside of her foot…

Legia Warsaw: THE FORWARD MOMENT This drill focuses on developing a player’s ability to scan before receiving, move towards the ball with good timing, and use a positive first touch into space. It also encourages players to protect the ball effectively with their body and arm under pressure from…

WHY SHE DIDN'T RUSH OUT 🧤🇨🇱 An excellent example of decision-making and timing from Chile goalkeeper Oriana Cristancho! 👏 With the score at 1-1 against Mexico in the 55th minute, Cristancho faced a dangerous one-on-one situation at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™. Rather than rushing forward, she…

WHAT A SCORCHER! 🇨🇦 After Canada regained possession against Norway at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Adalyn Fairweather drove forward through midfield, beat a defender in a 1v1 and unleashed a stunning long-range strike that flew high into the net! What a goal. Pure class! 🔥

1v1 DEFENDING FROM BEHIND This exercise presents the defender with a 1v1 defending scenario from behind the attacker. The defensive principles differ slightly, as the defender can attempt an interception before the attacker receives the ball and must make close contact as soon as possible in order…

4 touches to win the game! ⚡ Counter-press. ⚡ Two quick vertical passes. ⚡ A composed finish. ⚡ Just 4 touches. A brilliant example of how quickly winning the ball back can lead to a goal! At the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Japan counter-pressed France and regained possession before Mashiro…

A LAST-GASP BICYCLE KICK WINNER! 🤯🇻🇪 You couldn't write a better ending! With the score locked at 2–2 deep into stoppage time, Andrea Suárez produced a spectacular bicycle kick in the 90+10th minute to secure a dramatic 3–2 victory for Venezuela over Zambia at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup…

In this exercise, the players focus on individual technical skills that help them to enhance the important positional skills of a midfielder such as clean first touches, excellent ball orientation and quick footwork to receive and return the ball efficiently when operating in tight spaces…

Brazil's third goal against Canada was a brilliant example of how inviting pressure can create space to attack! It started with a centre-back drawing in Canada's press before driving past the attacker and progressing up the pitch. A clever switch of play and a line-breaking pass created space out…

BALL MASTERY In this exercise, the players focus on individual technical skills that help them to enhance the important positional skills of a midfielder such as clean first touches, excellent ball orientation and quick footwork to receive and return the ball efficiently when operating in tight…