Passing
Y-Passing Variation 6: Third Man to the Far Arm
Groove the third-man pass: the lay-off into a player arriving in the middle, and his first-time ball to the far side, played before the receiver has to look for it.
Duration
15 min
Total drill time
Players
6
Recommended
Pitch
Full Pitch
Setup space
Level
Intermediate
Skill required
Intensity
Medium
Physical demand
Age band
U9-U10
Any format
Setup & instructions
Put a marker at the foot of the Y with the line of players and three balls. Ten yards up from it, place a pole for B. Twelve yards on, place a pole on each arm, about sixteen yards apart. One player waits behind the B pole and one behind each arm pole: C on one arm, D on the other. A passes into B and steps out to support on C's side. B shuffles out from behind his pole to the other side and sets it straight back to A, then spins round behind the pole into the middle of the Y. A plays it first time up to C and follows to wait behind the B pole. C shuffles out from behind his pole, receives on its inside and lays it off first time to B in the middle. B plays it first time across to D and follows on to wait behind C's pole, while C runs across behind the Y to D's pole. D comes out from behind his pole, takes it inside and forward, and carries it home on a diagonal. Swap the arms halfway through.
Setup time: 3 min
Tactical breakdown
The third man is the player who receives the ball from a pass he was not part of. A plays to C, C lays it off to B, and B's first-time ball goes to D. The defender watching A and C never sees B coming, and the one watching B never sees the switch.
This Y builds that sequence from a set. B comes out from behind his pole, sets it back to A, and spins round the pole into the middle of the Y while A plays up to C. C lays it off into B's run, and B plays across to the far arm first time. Two passes through the middle, both one touch.
The detail that decides it is B's scan. He has to check where D is on the way into the middle, before the lay-off arrives, so his body is already open to the far arm when the ball reaches him. A B who looks after his touch needs a second touch to turn, and the rhythm breaks.
The rotation follows the ball: A moves up to B, B on to C's pole, C runs across behind the Y to D's, and D carries the ball home. Three balls and six players keep it continuous. C is always the same arm, so swap the arms halfway through.
How to run this drill
- Set it back and spin. B comes out from behind his pole, sets the ball first time to A, who has stepped out to C's side, and spins round the pole into the middle of the Y.
- Play it up to C. A plays it first time up to C on the inside of his pole, then follows to wait behind the B pole.
- Check the far arm. On the way into the middle B checks where D is, so his body is open to the far arm before the lay-off arrives.
- Lay it off into the run. C lays it off first time into B's path in the middle, then runs across behind the Y to D's pole.
- Switch it first time. B plays it first time across to D and follows on to C's pole. D comes out late and takes his first touch inside and forward.
- Carry it home and swap. D carries it home on a diagonal and joins the line. Swap the arms halfway through so both sides play the lay-off.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- B checks the far arm before the lay-off arrives, so the pass across is one touch
- Both passes through the middle are first time
- C lays it off into B's path, not behind him
- Arm players stay hidden behind the pole and shuffle out late
- D's first touch goes inside and forward, into the direction of play
- Follow your pass and move on one role every rep
Common mistakes
- B arriving in the middle with his back to D, so he needs a touch to turn
- C laying it off to where B was, not to where he is going
- D coming out from behind the pole early and standing still to receive
- D's first touch going back towards the boards instead of inside
- Never swapping the arms, so one side always plays the lay-off
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Put a pole between B and D, so the last pass has to find a lane
- D plays it straight back to the front of the line instead of carrying home
- A passive defender follows B into the middle
Regressions
- C carries it past his pole and passes across to D, with no lay-off through the middle
- Allow B a controlling touch in the middle
- Shorten the arms to eight yards
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