Finishing
Y-Passing Variation 9: Pressure and Finish
Combine through a pressed pivot into a finish: the first-time set under pressure, the first touch inside at the arm, and a timed movement to receive and shoot.
Duration
15 min
Total drill time
Players
8
Recommended
Pitch
Full Pitch
Setup space
Level
Advanced
Skill required
Intensity
Medium
Physical demand
Age band
U11-U12
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 marker 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. B stands on his marker with a defender tight behind him, one player waits behind C's pole and one beside D's. A passes into B and steps out to support on C's side. B sets it straight back first time, spins away from the defender and runs up towards C's spot. A plays it sharp up to C and goes in as the next defender; the old defender drops into B's spot. C shuffles out from behind his pole, receives on its inside, takes his first touch inside towards D and passes across to him. D comes inside off his pole, takes a touch and finishes across the keeper. Rotate: B waits at C's pole, C runs across in front of the poles to D's, and the shooter jogs back round the outside, takes a ball from the pile and joins the line. Swap the arms halfway through.
Setup time: 5 min
Tactical breakdown
This is the whole Y family in one drill. The pivot plays under pressure, the arm opens up and plays forward, and the far arm finishes. Each part has been trained on its own in the earlier variations; here they have to join up at match speed.
B stands on his marker with a defender tight behind him. He receives side-on, sets it straight back to A first time and spins away from the defender's side towards C's spot. The defender follows a step, then drops into B's spot for the next rep, so the pressure never stops.
C is the hinge. He comes out from behind his pole as A plays up to him and opens his body before the ball arrives, so his first touch goes inside and forward, towards D, rather than back towards the line. His pass across goes to where D is arriving, not to where he stood.
D waits beside his pole, level with it, and times his movement inside to C's touch. He receives facing the goal, takes a touch to set the angle and finishes low across the keeper. The rotation runs A, defender, B, C, D and home, so every player defends, sets, opens up and finishes in each round. C and D keep their arms, so swap them halfway through.
How to run this drill
- Set it back under pressure. B receives side-on with the defender tight behind and sets it straight back first time to A, who has stepped out to support.
- Spin away. B spins away from the defender's side and runs up towards C's spot. The defender follows a step, then drops into B's spot.
- Play it up to C. A plays it first time up to C on the inside of his pole, then goes in as the next defender.
- Open up and touch it inside. C opens his body before the ball arrives, takes his first touch inside towards D and passes across to him.
- Come inside and finish. D comes inside off his pole as C touches it, stays onside, takes a touch and finishes low across the keeper.
- Rotate. B waits at C's pole, C runs across to D's, and the shooter jogs back round the outside to the pile and the line.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- B receives side-on and sets it back first time, his 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: follow a step, never tackle
- C opens up before the ball arrives, so his first touch goes inside and forward
- D times his movement inside to C's touch and stays onside
- Finish low across the keeper to the far post
Common mistakes
- B square-on to the passer, so the defender can step round him
- C receiving with his back to the goal, so his first touch goes backwards
- D coming inside too early and standing still to receive
- The pass across to D played behind him
- Shooting at the near post from an angle the keeper has covered
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Count the goals; the defender scores a point for every ball he touches
- Full pressure on B, who may turn if the defender over-commits
- D finishes first time from C's pass
Regressions
- Take the defender away and run it as the through ball and finish
- Passive defender who only touches B's back
- Allow B a controlling touch before the set
Explore more drills
LIBRARYReady to run this drill?
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