Passing
Triangle Passing 6: Double Triangle
Chain two one-touch 1-2s on the run, then switch to a longer pass: support angles from the inner players and the outer player's timing round the outside.
Duration
12 min
Total drill time
Players
7
Recommended
Pitch
30 × 26 m
Setup space
Level
Intermediate
Skill required
Intensity
Medium
Physical demand
Age band
U9-U10
Any format
Setup & instructions
Mark a triangle of markers 5 metres a side, and around it a triangle of cones 16 metres a side on the same centre, each cone out beyond a marker. One player stands just outside each inner marker. The other four go to the outer cones: two at the starting cone and one at each of the others. The player on the ball takes it round the outside of his cone and plays a 1-2 with the inner player nearest him. He runs on along the outside of the big triangle and plays a second 1-2 with the next inner player, takes a touch, and passes to the next outer cone. He follows his pass and joins that line. The player there meets the ball outside his cone, takes it round, and starts again. The inner players stay on their markers and play everything first time.
Setup time: 2 min
Tactical breakdown
Two triangles, one inside the other, turn a passing drill into a running drill with the ball. The outer player does not pass and stand. He plays a 1-2 with the inner player nearest him, keeps going along the outside of the big triangle, plays a second 1-2 with the next inner player, and only then plays the longer pass on to the next outer cone. Three passes on the move before he gets to follow his last one.
The inner players set the quality. They stand just outside their markers, five metres apart, and every ball they receive goes straight back first time into the runner's path. That only works if they open up before the ball arrives, so they can see the runner and play it ahead of him rather than back to where he was. A return to feet stops the run, and the next 1-2 comes too late.
The runner's job is timing. He has to keep moving after each pass so the return meets him in stride, and he stays on the outside of the big triangle the whole way, never cutting across the cones. After his touch he plays the longer pass to the next outer cone, follows it, and joins that line.
With one ball, the rotation is gentle enough to use early in a session, and the inner players get the most touches. Swap them out every few minutes. When the group is ready, put a ball at every outer cone and run all three at once.
How to run this drill
- Mark two triangles. Markers 5 metres apart in a small triangle, and cones 16 metres apart in a big one around it on the same centre. A player on each inner marker, two at the starting cone and one at each other cone.
- First 1-2 with the nearest inner player. The player on the ball takes it round the outside of his cone and plays a 1-2 with the inner player nearest him, who returns it first time.
- Second 1-2 on the run. He runs on along the outside of the big triangle and plays a second 1-2 with the next inner player.
- Pass to the next cone and follow. He takes a touch, passes to the next outer cone, and follows his pass to join that line. The player there takes it round his cone and starts again.
- Swap the inner players. Rotate the inner players out every few minutes, and reverse the direction so the 1-2s come off the other foot.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- The runner keeps moving after each pass so the return meets him in stride
- Inner players open up to the ball before it arrives and return it first time
- Play the return into the space ahead of the runner, not to where he passed from
- Run along the outside of the big triangle, never across the cones
- Follow your last pass and join the line facing the triangle
Common mistakes
- The runner stopping after his pass and receiving the return standing still
- Inner players receiving square on, so the return goes back the way it came
- Returns played to feet instead of into the runner's path
- Cutting inside the outer cones on the run
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- One touch for the runner all the way round, the last pass included
- Reverse the direction so the 1-2s come off the other foot
- Add more balls: one from every outer cone at once (Triangle Passing 7)
Regressions
- Allow the inner players a touch to control before they return it
- Bring the outer cones in to 12 metres a side
- Play one 1-2 per lap instead of two
Explore more drills
LIBRARYReady to run this drill?
Save it to your private drills, then change the animation, adjust positions, swap equipment, or drop it into a session block. Or start from a blank pitch and build your own.