Finishing
Y-Passing Variation 8: Through Ball and Finish
Play past the first line, set it to the pivot and release the runner in behind: a first-time through ball weighted for a finish, and a run timed to stay onside.
Duration
15 min
Total drill time
Players
7
Recommended
Pitch
Full Pitch
Setup space
Level
Intermediate
Skill required
Intensity
Medium
Physical demand
Age band
U9-U10
Any format
Setup & instructions
Set the Y facing the goal: a marker at the foot about 37 yards out with the line and a pile of balls, a pole for B ten yards up from it, and a pole on each arm twelve yards on from B, just outside the box and about sixteen yards apart. Full goal and keeper. One player waits behind the B pole and one behind each arm pole. A skips B and passes straight up to C, then follows to wait behind the B pole. C shuffles out from behind his pole, receives on its inside and sets it first time to B, who has come out from behind his pole on the other side. D waits on the outer side of the other arm pole, level with it. As B opens up, D runs in behind, and B plays the through ball first time into his run. D takes a touch and finishes across the keeper. Rotate: B follows his through ball to D's arm and is the next C there, C stays on his arm as the next runner, and the shooter jogs back round the outside, takes a ball from the pile and joins the line. The next ball goes up to D's side.
Setup time: 5 min
Tactical breakdown
The fastest way through a midfield line is to skip it and come back. A plays past B straight up to C, and C sets it back to B, who now receives facing the goal instead of with his back to it. One pass back has turned the pivot round.
That is the moment the runner goes. D waits level with his pole on the far arm, and he times his run to B opening his body, not to the ball arriving. Going early is offside in a game. Going late leaves the through ball rolling into nobody. B plays it first time into the space beyond the pole line, weighted so D can finish with his first or second touch.
The finish is across the keeper from a ball arriving at an angle. D's first touch goes forward and inside to keep the angle open, and the shot goes to the far post.
The rotation follows the ball. A follows to the B pole, B follows his through ball to D's arm, C stays on his arm as the next runner, and the shooter jogs back round the outside and takes a ball from the pile. The next ball goes up to D's side, so the Y alternates arms and both feet get the through ball and the finish.
How to run this drill
- Skip the pivot. A passes past B straight up to C, firm and on the ground, then follows to wait behind the B pole.
- Set it to B. C comes out from behind his pole, receives on its inside and sets it first time to B, who has come out on the other side of his.
- Time the run. D waits level with his pole on the far arm and goes as B opens his body, so he is still onside when the ball is played.
- Play it through first time. B plays the through ball first time into the space beyond the pole line, weighted for a finish.
- Touch and finish. D takes his first touch forward and inside and finishes across the keeper to the far post.
- Follow the ball. B follows his through ball to D's arm, C stays on as the next runner, and the shooter jogs back round the outside to the pile and the line.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- A's pass past B is firm and on the ground, so C can set it first time
- C sets it onto B's front foot, and B opens his body to the far arm before it arrives
- D stays level with his pole until the through ball is played, then goes
- Weight the through ball into the run, so D can finish with his first or second touch
- First touch forward and inside, then finish across the keeper to the far post
- Follow the ball: everyone moves on one role every rep
Common mistakes
- D going early, which is offside in a game and leaves him waiting for the ball
- The through ball played to D's feet instead of into his path
- B receiving square-on, so the through ball needs an extra touch
- A's pass up to C played soft, so C has to take a touch before the set
- Shooting at the near post from an angle the keeper has covered
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Bring in a recovering defender from C's arm
- D finishes first time from the through ball
- A plays B first and gets it back before playing up to C, as in Schreiner's diagram
Regressions
- Play to a mini goal with no keeper, open body and finish
- Allow B a touch before the through ball
- Shorten the arms, so the through ball is shorter
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