Practice: Up, back and through to progress

Why use it

Players understand the movements and technical elements required to successfully use the up-back-through move.

Set up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Mark out a narrow channel across the middle of the area. Divide players into two equal teams – four defenders and six attackers.

How to play

Four attackers start in one half, two in the other. Two defenders start in each half. The four attackers start with the ball and look to move the ball to the other half via a third-man runner receiving the ball in the opposite half. One attacker from the opposite half can drop into the middle channel unopposed to set the ball back – they can’t wait in the channel for more than a few seconds. To progress the ball, one of the four attackers must receive the ball on the run in the opposite half. Play then restarts in that half, with another attacker joining to make a 4v2 again.

Progressions/adaptations

Progress so a defender can follow the attacker into the central channel.

Coaching points

• Attacking players should play with an open body to see the whole area
• Take your first touch in the direction you want to go
• Look for the further forward available pass – this involves a well-timed run from a forward in the opposite half into the central channel to provide an option for a bounce pass
• Time your run into the opposite half to avoid being offside
• Move as the ball is moving to give the receiver a good angle for their next pass
• Know when to change the tempo: Speed play up to drag defenders out of shape to create space for killer pass. Slow play down if defenders aren’t jumping and you need to entice them out, or when you need to regain control after a period of chaos