Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 12: Passes in Behind & Through the Gap

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

After last week's focus on work without the ball, this week continues with a learning objective in possession – play in the final third. The previous training focuses, build-up and wing play, have already worked extensively on getting the ball towards the final third. Now it is about creating goal-scoring chances and putting the ball in the net.

Key elements of the next two training weeks will be showing for the ball and getting free, as well as the strikers' movement into the box. Players will also work on balls through the gap and on converting goal-scoring chances.

The main focus this week will be playing forward and, in particular, the ball through the gap. Besides the timing and quality of the pass, the striker's movement is crucial.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The movement of the strikers/wingers before the pass is a very decisive factor for a ball into the gap. It is important that at the moment of the pass the striker is roughly level with the last defender and has a speed advantage over their opponent.

The striker achieves this best by moving either parallel to the back four or towards the back line. If the target player then also manages to come from the defender's blind side, it becomes difficult to stop the striker when the ball comes through the gap.

Coaching points for this session
  • Move parallel to the back line or towards it (to have a pace advantage when the pass is played)
  • Pay attention to timing and offside
  • When moving parallel to the back line: set off in behind immediately as the pass is played
  • Come from the defender's blind side (to do so, first drop away on the far side and then move towards the defender)
Drill 1

Rondo in a Circle

15 min
  • The outside players pass the ball to one another with one touch.
  • The two players in the middle try to win the ball.
  • If the ball is lost, the player from the middle swaps with the player who lost the ball.
Equipment & set-up

Equipment: 1 ball.

Players: The players form a circle and hold hands; two players stand in the middle.

Drill 2

Combination Play on the Edge of the Penalty Area

25 minHalf a pitch
  • Player A passes to Player B.
  • Players B and C make a preparatory movement and come towards the pass from A; in this way they pull their opponents with them.
  • Player B lays the ball off to Player A, who takes it on diagonally.
  • Player A plays a ball through the gap between the centre-back and the full-back into the path of Player D, who has already started. The ball should be played at maximum speed, if possible straight to the goal line.
  • Player D takes the ball on towards the goal line and lays it back at a right angle — or, ideally, delivers it straight towards the penalty spot.
  • After the cross, Players B and C run into the penalty area and finish first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four tall cones, one red, two yellow and two blue cones mark the positions; plus one goal.

Equipment: 4 tall cones, 5 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players A to D and a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Always play the balls at maximum speed and with as few touches as possible.
  • Knocking over a tall cone is punished with press-ups or a similar additional task.
Drill 3

Playing in Behind with Through-Ball Zones

30 minFull pitch
  • The game is 9 vs 9 or 10 vs 10 between the through-ball zones.
  • To finish, balls may be played into the through-ball zone; the striker running in then plays 1 vs 1 against the goalkeeper.
  • The defending team may no longer intervene at that point and can only prevent the through ball.

Variations:

  • One defender may follow into the through-ball zone.
  • For an unpressured build-up, the two centre-backs may go into their own through-ball zone.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four tall cones mark out the through-ball zones; there is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 4 tall cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams playing 9 vs 9 or 10 vs 10 as well as two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Watch for offside. In drills with play in behind, it is a good idea for a coach to take up a position in line with the last defenders — from there offside positions can be spotted well and the movements of the strikers can be coached.
Drill 4

Finishing Drill with Cone Dribbling

20 min
  • On a call the first players of each queue start at the same time; four players are always involved in one round.
  • At position 2 the player pushes the ball forward and shoots at goal immediately.
  • At position 1 the player first completes the slalom course with the ball and then finishes immediately afterwards.
  • Meanwhile Player 3 plays the ball out to the wide position, and Player 4 delivers a cross, if possible first time and on the run.
  • After Players 1 and 2 have shot at goal, they cross their running paths and try to convert the cross.
  • After the execution it is the turn of the next group; the four players move on one position in the next round.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four stations with a slalom course of cones and a goal.

Equipment: 8 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Four stations with one player each. The players at positions A, B and C have a ball.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to precise timing.
  • Gradually increase the tempo of the drill.
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Session 2

4 drills

The training session starts with a coordination passing drill. After that, the session moves on to a small-sided game in 4 vs 2 in 2 areas. This drill prepares the players ideally for the focus of the training week - playing in behind. As soon as the 2 players win the ball, they have to look for a forward pass into the other area. However, a prerequisite for a learning effect is that the team of four also makes the transition quickly after losing the ball in order to prevent the forward pass.

Then Exercises 3 and 4 continue with playing in behind. Both drills are carried out under pressure from opponents and require good timing from the players making runs in behind.

Coaching points for this session
  • Move parallel to the line or towards the line (to have a pace advantage when the pass is played)
  • Pay attention to timing and offside
  • When moving parallel to the line: set off in behind immediately as the pass is played
  • Come from the defender's blind side (to do so, first drop away on the far side and then move towards the defender)
Drill 1

Passing/Coordination

15 min
  • Players 1, 3 and 5 start dribbling at the same time.
  • From the middle onwards, Player 1 passes to Player 2, Player 3 to Player 6 and Player 5 to Player 4.
  • On the way back, Player 2 passes to Player 3, Player 4 to Player 1 and Player 6 to Player 5.
  • Every player always runs straight ahead into the group opposite.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 6 cones and several balls.

Players: The players at positions 1 to 6.

Coaching points
  • All players must start dribbling at the same time.
  • Look up from the ball.
Drill 2

Positional Play: 4 vs 2 with a Change of Area

20 minTwo areas of 15 x 15 metres each
  • In one of the two areas, 4 vs 2 is played for possession; two players wait in the other area.
  • The two players with the numerical disadvantage try to win the ball.
  • If they succeed, the ball is passed into the other area as directly as possible.
  • Two players from each team move into the new area; now the other team plays with the ball and with the numerical advantage.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones or tall cones mark out two squares next to each other.

Equipment: 6 cones or tall cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • Demand quick transition play.
  • The team with the numerical disadvantage defends the space, but goes aggressively for the ball when a good opportunity arises.
Drill 3

3 vs 3 + 1 to 2 vs 2 in Behind

20 min
  • After four passes, the team in possession tries to play out of the square with a pass in behind in order to score a goal.
  • Depending on the coach's instruction, one, two or three attackers may follow up immediately; defenders may not leave the square.
  • Once the ball has been played out of the square, the two defenders at the goal area may intervene actively.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones form a square on the halfway line.

Equipment: 4 cones, bibs, at least 1 ball and 1 full-size goal.

Players: Two teams of three and one neutral player, who plays with the team in possession, are in the square. Two defenders are in the penalty area.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to tempo inside the square as well.
  • The defenders wait for the attackers while on the move.
  • Get to the finish as quickly as possible.
Drill 4

The Timed Through Ball

25 min40 x 30 to 40 metres
  • The game is 5 vs 5 or 6 vs 6; both teams have free play.
  • The aim is to play a pass into the marked end zone, which a team-mate receives and converts into one of the three mini goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and the end zones; plus six mini goals.

Equipment: 6 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of five or six players each; with an odd number, a floater is added.

Coaching points
  • Play the through ball at the right moment; the coordination between passer and receiver is decisive for this.
  • Pay attention to the staggering in width and depth.
  • The opposing team tries to win the ball through team pressing and by compressing the space.

Session 3

4 drills

Playing in behind is made effective not only by good timing and movement of the receiver and by accurate, well-weighted passes. The other team-mates in the final third also influence playing in behind by supporting their team-mates through showing for the ball and getting free.

Here are a few illustrative examples:

  • The striker nearest the ball comes short and thereby drags the opposing centre-back along. The striker furthest from the ball or a number eight runs into this gap in the line
  • Staggered runs in behind. These tear gaps in the back four, as the defenders track the attacker's runs.
  • Change of position on the wing: the winger comes short. A number eight or a striker runs in an arc into the space vacated in behind.
Drill 1

Coordination with Rings

15 min

The players go through the rings with various tasks:

  • Go through the right side with the right foot and the left side with the left foot.
  • Through the right-hand rings with the left foot, through the left-hand rings with the right foot.
  • One colour is not jumped into — either yellow, red or blue.
  • Jump in with both feet; alternatively, jump into only one colour with both feet.
  • Go through backwards.
  • Go through sideways.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two rows of rings in three colours, bounded by four cones.

Equipment: Enough rings in three colours and 4 cones.

Players: Two teams.

Drill 2

2 vs 2 with Wall Players

20 min12 x 12 metres
  • 2 vs 2 is played in the square.
  • The team in possession can pass to one of the wall players and gets the ball back first time.
  • The aim is ten consecutive passes; that scores a point.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of two as well as wall players on the sides.

Coaching points
  • After the pass to the wall player, move away sideways again immediately in order to be available for a pass.
  • The players in possession use the numerical advantage to make the opponents run.
  • One of the defenders goes out to press, the other moves inside the area and tries to intercept a pass.
Drill 3

Through Ball + Finish

20 min
  • Player A passes to Player B.
  • Player B takes the ball on and passes to Player C.
  • Player C drops out of the back four and lays the ball off to Player D.
  • Player D plays the ball through the gap to Player E, who is coming from wide.
  • Player E delivers a cross to Player C, who tries to convert it.
  • The drill is then carried out identically down the other side.

Note: The positions then change — A becomes B, B becomes C and so on.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four dummies or tall cones represent the defence, cones mark the positions; plus one goal.

Equipment: 4 dummies or tall cones, cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players A to E and a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Watch for offside.
  • Pay attention to the timing of passer and receiver for the ball in behind: at the moment the pass is played, Player E should be in line with the back four and moving at high speed.
  • The passes must be firm and precise so that there is plenty of pace in the drill.
Drill 4

4 vs 4 with Target Players in Behind

25 minDouble penalty area
  • 4 vs 4 is played inside the playing area.
  • Each team has two target players next to its own goal.
  • If one of the wall players receives a pass, that player dribbles into the playing area and the passer takes up the vacated position.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; there is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and enough balls at the sides.

Players: Two teams of four, two target players next to each team's own goal as well as two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Open up the passing lines in behind through movement to get free.
  • The deep players move actively along the goal line in order to get out of the cover shadow.
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