Up, Back and Through

Set-up

To set up, you'll need a rectangular area roughly 66 feet long by 33 feet wide (about 22 by 11 paces); a large garden, park, or school playing field would work perfectly. You'll need one football and three cones, or household substitutes like water bottles, shoes, or small toys. Place the three markers in a straight line, with each cone about ten large strides (approximately 8-10 yards) apart. Each of the three players should stand at one of these markers.

What you need

• Ball
• 3 cones

The ground: 66 × 33 ft (about 20 × 10 m). The space and equipment check lists every drill that fits the ground you have.

How to run it

1. Set up. Three cones in a line about ten steps apart. One player at each.
2. Up. The first player passes firmly into the middle player, who has checked towards them.
3. Back. The middle player lays it off first time — one touch, no control.
4. Through. The third player slides it into the space ahead for the first player's run.
5. Keep moving. Nobody stops until the sequence finishes. Walk it twice, then up to pace.
6. Rotate. Everyone plays every position. Six sequences each.

Coaching points

• The lay-back is one touch — no controlling it first
• The through-ball is struck before the runner arrives, into the space ahead of them
• Nobody stops moving until the sequence is finished

What to watch: The lay-back must be one touch. If they control it first, the whole pattern is too slow to work in a game.

Common mistakes

• Controlling the lay-back: The middle player takes an extra touch to control the ball before laying it back. This causes the entire attacking pattern to slow down significantly, rendering it ineffective in a real game as defenders would close the space.
• Through-ball to feet: The third player passes the ball directly to the first player's feet instead of into the open space ahead of their run. This forces the runner to slow down or stop, killing the momentum of the attack.
• Standing still: Players stop moving after their pass or before their turn. This breaks the rhythm of the drill and prevents the development of continuous, dynamic movement vital for effective team play.
• Weak initial pass: The first pass is too soft or inaccurate, making it difficult for the middle player to lay it off cleanly and quickly. This disrupts the timing and flow of the entire sequence.
• Poor checking movement: The middle player doesn't move towards the first player to 'show' for the ball, or the first player doesn't make a good run into space after their pass. This indicates a lack of game understanding and anticipation.
• Through-ball too strong or weak: The third player strikes the through-ball with too much power, sending it out of bounds, or too little, allowing a defender (even an imaginary one) to intercept it. Precision in weighting the pass is crucial.

What good looks like

A good target: All three passes completed inside 4.5 seconds with the ball never coming to a stop.

• The middle player consistently uses only one touch to lay the ball back, demonstrating quick decision-making and control.
• The third player accurately passes the ball into the empty space ahead of the first player's run, rather than directly to their feet.
• All three passes are completed with sufficient pace and accuracy, allowing the ball to move smoothly between players.
• Players are actively moving before, during, and after their passes, demonstrating anticipation and continuous engagement.
• The entire sequence, from the first pass to the first player collecting the through-ball, is completed within approximately 4.5 seconds.
• The ball remains within the designated playing area throughout the sequence, showing good control and appropriate weighting of passes.

Progressions and variations

Making it harder

• Level 1: Walk-through. Focus solely on the correct passing direction and player movement without any speed. Allow multiple touches on the ball to build confidence.
• Level 2: Increase Pace Gradually. Encourage players to speed up the sequence, focusing on getting the passes off more quickly while maintaining accuracy and correct movement.
• Level 3: One-Touch Mandate. Enforce the one-touch rule for the middle player's lay-back and ideally for all passes to develop quick decision-making and execution.
• Level 4: Reduce Distance. Shorten the distance between cones by a few paces, forcing quicker reactions and more precise passing in tighter spaces.
• Level 5: Add Passive Pressure. Introduce a fourth player (or the parent) as a 'shadow' defender who runs alongside the middle player or the first player's run, without attempting to win the ball, to simulate game pressure.
• Level 6: Introduce a Target Goal. Place a small target (e.g., two cones forming a mini-goal) at the end of the first player's run, requiring them to shoot or pass into it after receiving the through-ball.
• Level 7: Dynamic Start. Instead of standing static at cones, players start from a slightly different position, requiring them to quickly adjust their movement to initiate the sequence and receive the ball.

Alone, with a sibling, or in a group

• Solo: pass into a flat wall, take the rebound, play into an angled second wall and sprint onto it.
• Sibling: one passes, the other lays it back, the first slides it through for them to run onto.
• Co-op: three players rotating, with a tracking defender added once the pattern is clean.

For the parent running it

• Pass in, get it laid back, then slide it through for the runner. Three players and one ball that never stops moving.
• Praise effort, not just perfection: Learning new skills takes time. Focus on encouraging the attempt and small improvements rather than demanding flawlessness from the start.
• Keep it fun: If frustration sets in, take a break or switch to a fun, less structured game. Always aim to end the session on a positive note.
• Demonstrate: Don't be afraid to show your child what you mean, even if your own technique isn't perfect. Visuals are powerful for learning and understanding.
• Integrate into weekly practice: This drill is excellent for developing passing combinations. Incorporate it a couple of times a week as part of a varied training session, perhaps alongside dribbling or shooting drills.
• When to stop: Listen to your child. If they're clearly tired, losing interest, or getting frustrated, it's time to stop or move on. Short, focused sessions are often more effective than long, drawn-out ones.

On their own: Pass into a flat wall, take the rebound, play into a second wall at an angle and sprint onto it.

Safety

• Ensure the playing area is free of any hazards like rocks, holes, or uneven surfaces that could cause trips or falls.
• Maintain adequate spacing between players to avoid accidental collisions, especially when runs are being made at speed.
• Always perform a short warm-up (light jogging, dynamic stretches) before starting the drill and a cool-down (static stretches) afterwards to prevent muscle strain.
• Keep players hydrated, especially on warmer days, by providing regular water breaks.
• Be mindful of player fatigue; stop the drill if anyone seems overly tired or is losing focus, as this increases the risk of mistakes and potential injury.

More on training safely at home: Safety at Home.

Why it matters

This drill is fundamental for teaching players how to combine passes in tight spaces and create attacking opportunities. It specifically develops the concept of a 'third-man run,' where a player moves into space to receive a pass that has been laid off by a teammate, feeding directly into more complex attacking patterns and overall team fluidity in game situations.