Driven Pass Into the Striker and Lay-Off
A defender or midfielder drives a firm 20–25 m pass into a striker who has a defender on their back. The striker lays off to a supporting runner, who plays back to the start.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 6–12
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 30 × 15 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing, Receiving / first touch
- Tactical: Build-up play
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:PassingReceiving
- Tactical:Support playMovement to receive
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
Passing into a target player is a common way to progress the ball. The pass must be firm and low so the striker can protect it, and the striker needs a support player arriving at the right angle. A passive defender behind the striker adds the contact.
Objective
Play a firm driven pass into a target player and support the lay-off.
Organisation
- Channel of 30 × 15 m. Passer at one end, striker 24 m away with a defender behind, a supporting midfielder 6 m from the striker.
How it works
- Passer drives the ball into the striker's feet.
- Striker holds off the defender and lays off to the arriving midfielder.
- Midfielder passes back long to the start. Rotate every 5 balls.
Coaching points
- Pass with the laces, body over the ball, so it stays low and fast.
- Striker: feel the defender with one arm, receive on the foot away from them.
- Support player: arrive at an angle, not straight behind the striker.
Progressions
- Defender is live after the striker's first touch.
- Striker may turn if the defender is too far.
Regressions
- Shorter pass (15 m) and no defender.
Variations
- Lay-off into a second striker running in behind (third man).
Key principles
- Firm pass, strong hold, good angle.
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