This three-player drill is extremely helpful for anyone who needs to improve checking away from the ball and then quickly coming and receiving it, through ball passes, and through ball runs. Always be ready to receive the ball because you do not want to be surprised when the ball shows up at your feet and you have not surveyed the field and don’t know what to do next.
Supplies:
- 1 ball
- 3 players
Set up:
- 3 players will start in a staggered “L” shape.
- The player at the top will face the player who is under them, this player will have the ball.
- Directly to the side of the player with the ball, another player will stand.
Instructions:
- The target player, or the player at the top, will act like they are going forward.
- This is called checking away.
- After a quick one or two steps, they will come back and receive the ball, playing it first time back to the original player.
- During the pass back, the player on the outside will make a run forward. When the first player gets the ball back, they will play a through pass to the player running.
Tips:
- Do not just go through the motions
- Be detailed by moving your feet so you are ready
- If you are the person making the run, make sure it is timed perfectly
- If you are the target player, check away from the cone and then run back to the cone to receive the ball