Annual training plan · U9–U13

Week 49: Up-Back-Through Play & Lay-Offs

2 complete training sessions with 8 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

When used correctly, the up-back-through combination is an effective way to shorten the distance to the opponents' goal while still being able to face the direction of play. But how exactly does the up-back-through combination work?

A player – let's say a defender – has the ball. If he played the ball on to the next player, for example a holding midfielder, the holding midfielder would often have to play with his back to the direction of play, because he has an opponent at his back. This closed body position then often forces the holding midfielder into a back pass, so ultimately no ground is gained. But the up-back-through combination can help to find the holding midfielder facing the direction of play.

To do this, the defender does not pass to the holding midfielder but to a player who is positioned even further forward. This could be, for example, a striker or simply a second holding midfielder staggered in depth. The only important thing is that the player receiving the pass is clearly further forward than the holding midfielder.

So the defender has now played the ball forward to the striker. He too will very probably have an opponent at his back. The striker, like the holding midfielder, could of course try to solve the situation with a 1 vs 1. But it is difficult to beat an opponent at your back, because you cannot see him. That is why the striker lays the ball off to the holding midfielder. Ideally with the foot furthest from the opponent, so that the defender cannot intercept the pass.

But for the holding midfielder actually to receive the ball, he has to observe 2 points:

  • First, the passing lane forward to the striker has to be opened. To do this, the holding midfielder moves out of the passing lane and takes his opponent with him. If the opponent does not follow, the holding midfielder can simply be found in a half-open body position and take the ball forward. In this case, the up-back-through combination is not needed.
  • Once the holding midfielder has moved to the side and the defender has played the ball to the striker, the holding midfielder has to make sure that he receives the lay-off. The holding midfielder's direct opponent could become a problem here. To get to the ball first anyway, the holding midfielder follows the ball immediately after it has been played forward. This way he shakes off his opponent and can take the ball in his stride facing the direction of play.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The first session on through-ball-and-lay-off play begins with a warm-up in which the players first practise the lay-off on its own. The main thing here is that the ball is played accurately and the pace of the pass is judged correctly. The ball should not be underhit, but it should not be played too hard either, because in through-ball-and-lay-off play the receiver follows the ball at high speed. In addition, the drill encourages short, clear commands. With every pass, the passer gives the command “turn” or “lay off”. Getting players permanently used to these commands takes time, but it is very helpful for the game.

After a drill in which the one-two, dribbling and one-touch play are practised, the session continues with through-ball-and-lay-off play. In a passing drill, the players learn and internalise the key points of through-ball-and-lay-off play (see coaching points).

The session ends with a drill in which deliveries are practised. Make sure that the players running in first drop away on the far side, do not run in too early, cross over and then attack the near post and the far post. The crossover is always started by the player who comes short. When the deliveries are played, you should make sure that they are played on the move. In addition, the crossers should get into the habit of looking up from the ball once more before the cross is played.

Coaching points for this session
  • Open up the passing lane
  • Firm forward pass
  • Play the lay-off with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Follow the ball immediately after it has been played forward
Drill 1

Turn and Lay-Off

15 min
  • The outside players play the ball in to the inside players and at the same time give the call to turn or to lay the ball off.
  • On the call to turn, the receiver turns and carries the ball; after a short dribble, the ball is played back.
  • On the call to lay off, the receiver lays the ball off to the passer.

Variations:

  • Have the ball laid off first with the left, then with the right foot.
  • Play a thrown ball back first time or take it down.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the playing area.

Equipment: 4 cones and several balls.

Players: The players with a ball stand outside the area, the players without a ball inside.

Coaching points

Variations

  • have the ball laid off first with the left, then with the right foot
  • a thrown ball is played back first time or taken down
Drill 2

Dribbling, One-Two and Finish

20 min
  • Player 1 dribbles through the cones.
  • After the last cone, Player 1 immediately plays a firm ground pass to Player 2.
  • Player 2 lays the ball off.
  • Player 1 shoots at the mini goal.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Seven cones form a slalom; behind it stands a mini goal. The passer takes up a position alternately to the left and to the right of the dribbler.

Equipment: 7 cones, 1 mini goal and several balls.

Players: Groups of two with Players 1 and 2.

Coaching points
  • Run the ball close to the feet and with both feet.
  • Look up from the ball.
  • Player 1 carries out a change of pace with the pass.
  • Player 2 plays the ball to the foot or into the run of Player 1 in such a way that Player 1 does not have to reduce speed.
Drill 3

Through Ball, Lay-Off, Diagonal

20 min
  • Player A plays a ground pass to Player B, who shows for the ball after a preparatory movement.
  • Player B lays the ball off to Player A, who is starting forward, and immediately sets off diagonally towards C.
  • Player A plays diagonally to Player C.
  • Player C plays a one-two with Player B and then dribbles at pace to position A.
  • Player A moves to position B, Player B to position C.

Variations: Have the drill carried out from the other side as well.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four dummies and two cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 4 dummies, 2 cones and several balls.

Players: Position A has several players; all of them have a ball at the feet. Positions B and C have one player each and no ball.

Coaching points
  • Play with optimal pace on the pass.
  • Establish eye contact.
  • Pay attention to the timing.
  • Play the ball to the team-mate's outside foot.
Drill 4

Shot from a Square Pass

25 min
  • Two players of the team in the middle start towards the first goal, crossing over as they go.
  • At the same time a player starts from the left wing and plays a cross or a low ball into the attacking players, who finish first time.
  • After the finish the two players immediately run on towards the second goal and receive a second ball in from the other side there.
  • Meanwhile the third team completes various running exercises at the agility ladder.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out two goals and the positions of the wingers with cones, and set up an agility ladder next to them.

Equipment: 2 goals, agility ladder, cones, enough balls.

Players: Three teams with at least 4 players per team, both goals are occupied by a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Players of the middle team: drop away on the far side from the ball.
  • Players of the middle team: do not make the run in too early.
  • Players of the middle team: run in diagonally towards the goal and the passer, attacking the near post and the far post.
  • Players of the wing team: dribble forward and play the ball in out of the movement.
  • Players of the wing team: look up from the ball once more before playing the ball in.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

In this session, through-ball-and-lay-off play is worked on intensively once again, in order to internalise the key guidance further. But alongside the guidance on exact execution, a through-ball-and-lay-off combination also requires technical skills.

The pass that bypasses a team-mate covers a long distance. The players therefore need to be able to pass firmly and still accurately. Depending on the players' ability, the inside-of-the-instep kick can also be used for this. It will be needed anyway on the full-size pitch at the latest, because the passing distances become longer.

Once the ball arrives accurately and firmly at the striker, the striker has to lay it off. This requires secure and accurate first-time passing. In addition, the pace of the pass has to be judged correctly so that the team-mate moving up can bring the ball under control easily. However, the striker does not necessarily have to play the lay-off first time, but can also hold the ball up first. When doing so, though, the striker should be prepared for pressure from the centre-back behind. The centre-back could disrupt the striker's first touch or try to get to the ball.

The holding midfielder, in turn, needs a good first touch to be able to take the lay-off in their stride.

Coaching points for this session
  • Open up the passing lane
  • Firm forward pass
  • Play the lay-off with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Follow the ball immediately after it has been played forward
Drill 1

Passing Drill with a Finish

25 min
  • Player A passes to Player B.
  • Player B sets off towards the ball and plays on diagonally to Player C.
  • Player C plays to Player D.
  • Player D comes a short way towards the ball and, on a call, lays it off to Player C.
  • Player C plays a through ball to Player E.
  • Player E carries the ball to the side and plays a pass through the cone goal to position A or C.
  • As a follow-up action, Player E goes through a coordination task.
  • All players follow their pass; only Player C moves to position D and Player D to position E.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Seven cones mark the positions and a cone goal; plus two agility ladders.

Equipment: 7 cones, 2 agility ladders and several balls.

Players: Groups of five with Players A to E.

Coaching points
  • Pass with pace.
  • Demand calls.
  • Player E takes the ball straight into the movement.
Drill 2

Sprint Shuffle Sprint

20 min
  • The players sprint straight to the first cone, sideways to the second, straight to the third, sideways to the fourth and straight to the fifth cone.
  • They then run back to the start.
  • 10 to 15 repetitions are completed with short rests.

Variations:

  • Carry out the drill as a team competition or individually.
  • Carry out the drill with a ball and dribble the course.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Twelve cones or poles mark the five turning points and the running paths.

Equipment: 12 cones or poles; balls in addition for the variation.

Players: Individually or as a team.

Coaching points
  • Cover the course by the shortest route and do not run in an arc.
Drill 3

Passing Drill with an Open First Touch

20 min

Variation 1:

  • Player B moves 1.5 metres to the left in a laterally open position.
  • Player A passes with the inside of the foot onto the open foot of Player B.
  • Player B controls the ball and plays a precise inside-of-the-foot pass onto the open foot of Player C, who has previously dropped 1.5 metres to the left.
  • Player C passes to Player D, who drops to the right.
  • Player D plays a one-two with Player E; Player E dribbles to the starting position.
  • Every player moves on to the next marker.

Variation 2:

  • Player C moves 1.5 metres to the left in a laterally open position.
  • Player A plays a precise inside-of-the-foot pass onto the foot of Player C that is furthest from the opponent.
  • Player C closes up and lays the ball off into the space of Player B.
  • Player B plays a precise inside-of-the-foot pass onto the foot of Player D that is furthest from the opponent.
  • Player D lays the ball off to Player C, Player C passes to Player E.
  • Player E lays the ball off to Player D; Player D plays a one-two with Player E, and Player E dribbles to the starting position.
  • Every player moves on to the next marker.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Five cones mark positions A to E.

Equipment: 5 cones and several balls.

Players: Every cone is occupied by one player; at least four players stand at the first cone.

Coaching points
  • In Variation 1, when dropping off the cones only move sideways and not backwards.
  • In Variation 1, play firmly into the front foot.
  • In Variation 1, control the ball so that ideally only one intermediate step is needed before the pass.
  • In Variation 2, delay briefly after the lay-off.
  • As soon as a player has been played past, that player follows up at high speed — but not before the pass, because otherwise a square pass results.
Drill 4

Passing with a Finish II

20 min
  • Player A plays to Player B, who comes towards the ball.
  • Player B lays the ball off to Player C.
  • Player C passes first time to Player D.
  • Player B shows for the ball, receives it first time from Player D and shoots at goal.
  • Change of positions: Player A goes to the position of Player C, Player C to that of Player B, Player B to that of Player D; Player D collects the ball and goes to the starting position.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the positions; at the end there is a goal.

Equipment: 4 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players A, B, C and D; plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Demand a match-like tempo.
  • Have the ball laid off with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Play the ball on firmly.
  • Demand communication.
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