Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 45: Training Runs in Behind

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

To play the ball in behind the defence, you need not only players who pass well but also runs in behind. As a rule, however, it is not enough simply to run straight towards the opponents' goal and hope that the player on the ball plays it perfectly and at the right moment into the attacker's run. And exactly when the attacker is level with the line, and right onto his foot as well. Carrying out this way of playing forward sounds very difficult – and it is.

It is quite possible to give the player on the ball easier conditions for a successful pass in behind the defence. For this, the attacker has to follow a few simple but effective tips for runs in behind. These pointers are presented over the course of the training week. But to make the tips understandable, a few preliminary considerations about passing forward are needed first:

  • One obstacle to passing in behind is that the pass can be intercepted. Especially when the back four is compact, it becomes difficult to play a pass through the gap. So the first aim should be to pull the back four apart or to pull players out of the back four.
  • If a pass in behind the defence succeeds, it can still happen that one of the defenders gets to the ball first. Of course, speed and reaction play an important role. But there are two other factors that influence the race for the ball: Which player has the shorter route to the ball? Which player is faster at the moment of the pass?
  • The passer should find it as easy as possible to play the ball into the attacker's run. If the ball arrives behind the attacker, a defender will very probably get to the ball first. That is why an attacker should move in such a way that the passer finds it as easy as possible to play the ball into his path.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

In order to be able to play the ball into gaps well, it helps if the opposing back four is stretched wide and/or players are drawn out of the line. This creates larger passing windows or spaces behind the defender who moves out of the line.

To stretch the line, the wingers can position themselves very wide. The wide players can stand on the touchline, level with the opposing back line. This draws the opposing full-backs further outwards, creating larger distances to the centre-backs. If, on the other hand, the full-backs stay very narrow, the wingers can receive the ball and pick up speed. Besides stretching the back four, the wide positioning has another advantage. The wingers can pick up speed by running parallel to the line towards the opposing full-back. A pass can now be played into the channel between that full-back and the nearest centre-back. As the pass is played, the winger then sets off at high speed in behind.

If the aim is to draw players out of the opposing back line, the ball-side striker can repeatedly come short. If the centre-back stays in the line, the striker can turn in front of the line after receiving a pass. If, on the other hand, the centre-back follows the striker, the ball can be played in behind to great effect. The space behind the centre-back can then be attacked. For example by a winger or the far-side striker, but also by a number eight making a run in behind. If the centre-back who is drawn out of the line is standing in the passing lane, a chipped ball can also be played in behind them.

Coaching points for this session
  • Wingers: take up a wide position level with the back line. Move parallel to the line. Start the run in behind as the pass is played
  • Ball-side striker: come short to create a gap in the line
  • Watch out for offside
  • Drop away on the far side in order to be able to pick up speed
  • Start the run in behind on the defender's blind side
Drill 1

Warm-Up: Coordination Training

20 min

First the players jog three easy laps through the course. Then the stations are completed as follows:

  1. Jump over the cross of poles.
  2. Over the hurdles with two contacts.
  3. Quick, short side steps past the angled poles — there and back.
  4. Through the hurdles with two contacts.
  5. Prescribed exercise through the agility ladder.
  6. Three knee lifts each over the medium-high hurdles.
  7. Jumps over the small hurdles and then to the side.

Variations: Change regularly at the jump hurdles and at the agility ladder.

  • Agility ladder: two contacts forwards and sideways; three contacts forwards; first one contact left, then two contacts in the square, then one contact right; two contacts with heel flicks or a knee lift of the right or left foot respectively; with two contacts two squares forwards and one back again.
  • Jump hurdles: with an intermediate jump, one-footed take-off, hold the one-footed landing briefly, sideways jumps.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A course with seven stations made up of poles, hurdles, an agility ladder and cones.

Equipment: 10 poles, 11 hurdles, 1 agility ladder and 3 cones.

Players: The players go through the course one after another.

Coaching points

Coaching Points

Have variations carried out regularly at the jump hurdles and the agility ladder.

  • Agility ladder: 2 contacts forwards and sideways, 3 contacts forwards, first 1 contact left, then 2 contacts in the square, then 1 contact right, 2 contacts, always doing heel flicks or a knee lift with the right/left foot, with 2 contacts 2 squares, then 1 back again
  • Jump hurdles: with an intermediate jump, one-footed take-off, hold the one-footed landing briefly, sideways jumps
Drill 2

Dribbling Warm-Up

15 min

The drill consists of two lanes, which are completed one after the other.

  1. In lane 1 the players dribble through the channel and back again at the end.
  2. In lane 2 the players dribble up to the cones one after the other and cut at each one.

Variations:

  • Lane 1: alternating right outside of the foot, right inside of the foot, right outside of the foot, right inside of the foot.
  • Lane 1: take the ball along with the sole of the foot.
  • Lane 1: let the ball swing to and fro between the feet and look up from the ball.
  • Lane 2: add a feint in front of the cones and use the arms.
  • Lane 2: cut with the outside of the foot, with the inside of the foot or behind the standing leg.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two separate lanes as shown in the graphic. In lane 1 the cones stand in two rows forming a channel, in lane 2 they are staggered one behind the other.

Equipment: 13 cones, 1 ball per player.

Players: The players spread out evenly over the two lanes and start one after the other.

Coaching points
  • Keep the ball close when dribbling.
  • Look up from the ball.
  • Start the feints in good time and keep an appropriate speed while doing so.
  • Use both feet.
  • Keep enough distance from the player in front.
Drill 3

Small-Sided Game: Finish After a Lofted Ball and a Pass into the Channel

20 minHalf a pitch
  • Depending on the instruction, Player A plays a lofted ball or a firm pass to Player B.
  • Depending on the instruction, Player B plays a pass into the gap between the defenders to Player C, either first time or after a short touch to control.
  • Player C takes at most one touch and finishes.

Variations: Player A passes to Player C, who plays a one-two with Player B and finishes.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four poles represent the defensive line, three cones mark the starting positions; in addition one goal.

Equipment: 4 poles, 3 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players A, B and C; in addition a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Player C moves away from the ball.
  • Player C does not start the run too early.
  • Player C moves parallel to the line towards the passer or diagonally towards it.
  • As the pass is played, Player C sets off in behind the defender.
  • Watch out for offside.
  • Get to the finish quickly.
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

In the 2nd session of the week, 2 drills are carried out to improve runs in behind. Firstly, the principle of the ball-side striker coming short while the far-side striker runs in behind is repeated. This time, however, the pass comes from a wide position.

However, the ball-side striker can also be played in behind effectively. A so-called curved run is well suited for this. Here too, the striker moves towards the player on the ball. Even if only a few metres. Shortly before the pass, however, the striker runs in behind in a slight arc. In doing so, the striker attacks the gap between full-back and centre-back. Coming short briefly draws the centre-back out. In addition, the striker creates a little space to pick up speed for the run in behind.

If the pass is played in behind, the ball is then taken in stride with the foot furthest from the opponent. Depending on how far the striker can get away from the centre-back, there is the option of playing a cross or cutting in towards goal and taking the shot themselves.

Coaching points for this session
  • Ball-side comes short, far side goes
  • Make a curved run in behind
  • Start the run in behind on the move
  • Watch out for offside
  • Take the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent
Drill 1

Passing in Threes

15 min
  • On a command from the coach, Player C moves one to two metres towards the player with the ball — Player A.
  • Player A plays a ground pass to Player C.
  • Player C lays the ball off to Player A and turns towards Player B.
  • Player A plays the ball first time to Player B.
  • Player B controls the ball and again plays a ground pass to Player C; and so it goes on.
  • Player C receives the ball ten times from each of Players A and B, then the players change.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two cones mark the outside positions.

Equipment: Cones and one ball per group.

Players: The players split into groups of three. Two players — one of them with a ball — occupy the cones, the third stays in the middle between the two cones.

Coaching points
  • Show for the lay-off at a diagonal angle.
  • Play the ball with the outside foot.
  • After the lay-off delay briefly and, as soon as the middle player is bypassed, follow the ball at speed.
Drill 2

Passing with Coordination and Acceleration

20 min
  • The ball is played from the upper cones to the lower cones.
  • The players receiving the pass dribble with the ball to the upper cone.
  • The passers run over and jump over the obstacles and sprint to the lower cone.
  • After that the players swap tasks.
  • After a few rounds the players move on one station.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight cones form an upper and a lower row; between them lie hurdles and an agility ladder.

Equipment: 8 cones, 9 hurdles, 1 agility ladder and several balls.

Players: Each cone is filled with at least one player; the players at the upper cones have a ball.

Coaching points
  • Play the passes firmly and with good quality.
  • Carry out the coordination exercises cleanly.
  • Increase the speed gradually.
Drill 3

Playing in Behind with a Shot at Goal

25 minHalf a pitch
  • After a preparatory movement by Player B, Player A passes to Player B.
  • Player B receives the ball, takes it in the stride, cuts and passes back to Player A.
  • Player A plays the ball to Player C.
  • Player C lays the ball off to Player D.
  • Player D plays to Player E, who runs in diagonally and finishes.

Variations: Run the drill on both sides.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Seven poles mark the positions: four side by side level with the edge of the penalty area, two in front of them in midfield and one as the starting position at the centre circle. In addition a goal with a goalkeeper.

Equipment: 7 poles, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players A, B, C, D and E at their poles; in addition a goalkeeper. The balls are with Player A.

Coaching points
  • Watch out for offside.
  • Player C comes towards the ball in order to drag the defender along.
  • Player C lays the ball off first time with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Player E sets off in behind at speed.
  • Player E does not start the run too early.
Drill 4

Playing in Behind with a Finish

20 minHalf a pitch
  • The centre-backs play the ball through to a winger.
  • The wide midfielder takes the pass towards the centre.
  • The wide midfielder plays in the striker near the ball with a pass into the gap; that striker has previously moved away inside and sets off after the ball.
  • The same sequence is then run on the other side.

Variations:

  • The striker away from the ball runs in behind; the striker near the ball comes slightly towards the passer instead.
  • The wingers operate level with the opposition defensive line. Play is free, with the aim of playing the ball in behind; the pass in behind is followed by a finish or a cross.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Seven poles or dummies mark the opposition defensive line and the midfield.

Equipment: 7 poles or dummies and several balls.

Players: The players spread out over the starting positions derived from a 4-4-2. The wide positions and the strikers are filled twice, depending on the number of players.

Coaching points
  • Move away from the ball.
  • Move parallel to the defensive line.
  • The striker near the ball comes towards the ball, the one away from the ball runs in behind.

Session 3

4 drills

Runs in behind do not necessarily have to come from players in the team's most advanced line. Especially when it is not the wingers or the strikers who run in behind but a number eight or a holding midfielder, the surprise effect is greater.

Although in modern football defending is ball-orientated, the defenders have the same 1-2 opponents near them most of the time. If a holding midfielder then makes a sudden run in behind, the defending team often notices it too late.

Runs in behind from midfield are particularly effective when a striker drops into midfield and briefly drags a defender along.

However, no holding midfielder or number eight can be asked to sprint in behind the opponent's defence all the time. The distance is too great for that, and the position itself is already very demanding in terms of running. In addition, the centre plays a crucial role when defending out of possession. If 1 or even 2 players from midfield keep running in behind, the centre is no longer sufficiently protected. Rather, it is about the holding midfielders and number eights recognising the right moment for a run in behind.

Coaching points for this session
  • Drop away on the far side
  • Move parallel to the line
  • Start the run in behind as the pass is played
  • Ball-side comes short, far side runs in behind
  • Wingers: hold the width and move parallel to the line
  • Holding midfielders and number eights: make runs in behind when the strikers come short and draw a defender with them
Drill 1

Warm-Up in a Movement Course

20 min
  • The players carry out various coordination tasks at the stations.
  • Between the stations they jog gently.
  • The intensity can be increased over the course of the drill.

Variations: Set different tasks at the individual obstacles on a regular basis.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A course with five stations: a backwards slalom through a row of cones, a slalom through poles, a jumping section made up of hurdles, a side-step section over poles lying on the ground and a quick-feet section through rings. The set-up follows the graphic, and the starting position is marked.

Equipment: Cones and tall cones in various colours, 10 poles, hurdles and rings.

Players: The players go through the course one after the other with enough distance between them.

Coaching points
  • Make sure there is enough distance to the player in front.
Drill 2

Team Competition: Passing and Sprinting Drill

20 minThe outer poles stand eight metres apart, the inner poles three metres apart
  • The players pass the ball through the inner poles.
  • They then set off around the outer poles to the other side; the poles are run around in a clockwise direction.
  • Each player completes four sprints per round.
  • Once all players have completed their four sprints, the round is over.
  • Four rounds are played in total.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: 16 poles form an inner and an outer pole goal on each of the two sides.

Equipment: 16 poles and several balls.

Players: Two groups of equal size.

Coaching points
  • Carry the sprint all the way through to the poles on the other side.
  • Do not watch the pass, but go straight into the sprint.
Drill 3

Pass into the Gap with a Finish

20 minHalf a pitch
  • Player A passes to Player B.
  • Player B passes diagonally to Player C, who takes the ball with an open body position.
  • Player C plays a forward pass to striker D.
  • The striker lays the ball back off to Player C.
  • Player C plays the ball into the gap to the second striker making a crossing run — alternatively to the wide player.

Progression: Play first with passive opponents, then with active defenders and finally let the situation be solved freely.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four dummies form a back four, cones mark the positions; plus one goal.

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

Players: Players A to D plus a second striker and one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The striker making the run drops away on the side furthest from the ball and runs in parallel to the defence.
  • The run starts as the forward pass is played and is made at high speed.
  • Pay attention to timing and offside.
  • Take the ball in their stride with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Get the finish away quickly.
Drill 4

Passing in Behind II

25 minHalf a pitch
  • The centre-backs pass the balls to each other.
  • The two holding midfielders clear the space and one centre-back plays the ball forward to the striker.
  • The striker lays the ball off to one of the holding midfielders.
  • The holding midfielder plays a pass in behind to one of the two wide players.
  • The wide player who receives the pass crosses, and the cross must be finished first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six dummies represent the opponents; there is a goal at one end.

Equipment: 6 dummies, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, two holding midfielders, a striker and two wide players; in addition a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Watch out for offside.
  • The wide players take up very wide positions and move parallel to the defensive line before the pass in behind.
  • The striker lays the ball off first time with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • The striker only runs into the penalty area as the cross comes in.
  • The holding midfielder follows the ball as soon as the pass to the striker is played.
  • Play out the attacks at a tempo close to that of a match.
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