Call the Landing Zone
Predict a gentle thrown ball's landing zone and communicate the decision without jumping or diving.
- 10 min
- 2–4 players
Drill · U15
Press on the Travelling Ball
Three defenders recognise a travelling pass as the cue to coordinate first pressure and supporting cover.
- Duration
- 10 min
- Players
- 6–12 (ideal 6)
- Pressing
- Scanning
- Communication
Setup
Step 1 of 2
One complete 6-player group is shown. Three blue players form a ground-passing triangle against three red defenders. One ball begins at blue 1. Red 1 is the first pressure player; red 2 covers the next forward route and red 3 the remaining inside option. The coach supervises outside the area.
Coaching points
- Setup: Three blue players form a ground-passing triangle against three red defenders. One ball begins at blue 1. Red 1 is the first pressure player; red 2 covers the next forward route and red 3 the remaining inside option. The coach supervises outside the area.
- Play: Blue announces a receiver, then plays one gentle pass. As the ball leaves the passer, red calls the trigger and adjusts together: nearest pressure approaches a safe stopping gap while partners cover the other routes. Stop at reception and name each role.
- Play continued: Red earns a shared quality point when all three respond to the travelling ball with clear responsibilities; no tackle or interception is required.
- Reset and rotation: Return the ball while stopped, choose another announced receiver and rotate all six through attacker and defender roles after three passes. Rest after 45 seconds. The next pass waits for readiness; there is no continuous trap or shot.
- Numbers: The diagram shows 6 players. With up to 12, use a second complete group in a separate area. Odd spare players rest off the area and rotate into a playing role every 45 seconds; everyone has equal turns.
- Coach focus: Move on the pass, not before its direction is clear and not only after a settled first touch. Supporting defenders observe the first approach and each other to avoid duplicating the same cover route.
- Safety: Gentle ground service, walking defensive approach and an explicit safe gap. No tackling, occupied-foot interception, contact, slide or touch-tight arrival. Stop at reception before anyone converges; retrieve and rotate with play stopped.
Equipment
- Ball · 2 per group, including a spare
- Flat Marker · 4 per group for field and zone corners, in addition to pictured markers
- Bib · 6 per group; colours match the pictured roles
Progressions
- Easier The coach calls the trigger when the pass starts and pauses each defender’s responsibility in turn.
- Harder Blue selects between two previously demonstrated receivers without announcing the choice; red reads the travelling pass while keeping the same stopping gap.
