Passing
Y-Passing Variation 7: Pressure on the Pivot
Play the set and the spin with someone on your back: receive side-on, set it first time, and turn away from the pressure into the space for the next pass.
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 two balls. Ten yards up from it, put a marker for B, who stands there with a defender tight behind him. Twelve yards on from B, place a pole on each arm, about sixteen yards apart, with one player behind each. A passes into B and steps out to support on the side of the arm the ball is going to. B sets it straight back first time, then spins away from the defender and runs up towards that arm. A plays it sharp into the arm player and goes in as the next defender. The old defender drops into B's spot. The arm player shuffles out from behind his pole, receives on its inside and lays it off first time to B, then spins round behind the pole. B plays it first time into his run on the outer side and follows to the arm. The arm player carries it home on a diagonal. The next rep goes to the other arm.
Setup time: 3 min
Tactical breakdown
A pivot in a game almost never receives with time. Someone is on his back, and the pass into him is only useful if he can give it back first time and get away. Unopposed Y drills groove the pattern but not the feel of a body behind you.
This variation takes the pole away from B and puts a defender there instead. B receives side-on, so he can see A and feel the defender with his back and arm. He sets it straight back first time, keeping his body between the ball and the defender, then spins away from the defender's side and runs up towards the arm for the second wall pass.
The defender's job is light pressure. He follows B a step, so the spin has to be sharp, then drops into B's spot for the next rep. Full pressure is a progression, not the start: the aim is passing under pressure, not winning the ball.
The rotation adds the defender to the chain. A goes in as the next defender after his pass to the arm, the old defender becomes B, B follows his wall pass to the arm, and the arm player carries the ball home. Reps alternate arms, so B spins both ways.
How to run this drill
- Receive side-on. B stands side-on with the defender tight behind him, so he can see the passer and feel the pressure.
- Set it back first time. B sets it straight back to A, who has stepped out to support, keeping his body between the ball and the defender.
- Spin away from the defender. B spins away from the defender's side and runs up towards the arm. The defender follows a step, then drops into B's spot.
- Play it into the arm. A plays it first time into the arm player on the inside of his pole, then goes in as the next defender.
- Lay it off, spin, play it through. The arm player lays it off to B and spins round his pole, and B plays it first time into his run on the outer side.
- Carry it home and alternate. The arm player carries it home on a diagonal. The next ball goes to the other arm, so B spins both ways.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- B stands side-on, so he can see the passer and feel the defender
- Set it back first time, firm, with the body between the ball and the defender
- Spin away from the defender's side the moment the set leaves your foot
- The defender gives light pressure only: follow a step, never tackle
- Arm player: stay hidden behind the pole, shuffle out late, lay it off first time
- The wall pass goes into the runner's path round the outside of the pole
Common mistakes
- B square-on to the passer, so the defender can step round him
- Setting it back soft, so A cannot play forward first time
- Spinning into the defender instead of away from him
- The defender chasing B up the Y instead of dropping into B's spot
- Using the same arm every rep
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Full pressure on B: the defender may win the ball, and B may turn if the defender over-commits
- The arm player passes to the front of the line instead of carrying home
- Count clean reps in a minute
Regressions
- Passive defender who only touches B's back
- Allow B a controlling touch before the set
- Put the B pole back and run it as the double wall pass
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