Star Passing With Check-Away Movements
Four lines around a central cone. Before each pass, the receiver checks away and then comes towards the ball, so every pass is received after a sharp change of direction.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 8–14
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 20 × 20 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing, Receiving / first touch
- Physical: Agility
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:ReceivingPassing
- Tactical:Movement to receive
- Physical:Change of direction
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
Players rarely receive standing still: they lose the marker with a quick move away and back. This passing pattern repeats that movement many times. The agility comes from the check-away; the technique from receiving on the half-turn and passing on.
Objective
Lose an imaginary marker with a sharp check-away and receive on the move.
Organisation
- Four lines on the points of a cross, 9 m from the centre. An inner cone 4 m in front of each line.
- Two or three players per line; one ball to start.
How it works
- The receiver runs 2 m away from the ball, plants and comes back to the inner cone to receive.
- Receive, turn and pass to the next line clockwise; follow your pass.
- Change to anticlockwise every 2 minutes. Add a second ball after 4 minutes.
Coaching points
- Sharp change of direction: plant the outside foot and push.
- Show for the ball with an open body.
- First touch towards the next target.
Progressions
- One-touch lay-off to the passer, then pass to the next line (third man).
Regressions
- Remove the check-away and focus on the passing.
Variations
- A passive defender stands in the middle.
Key principles
- Move away to come back.
- Receive half-turned.
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