Football
Coach Hub

Goalkeeping

Back Pass Support Work: Handling Volume

Deal with back passes under pressure

Goalkeeping
Playing Out From The Back
First Touch

Back Pass Support Work: Handling Volume is a 15-minute goalkeeping drill for 3-10 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, full goals, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

Back to drill library
Goalkeeping
Playing Out From The Back
First Touch
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Handling
Repetition

Duration

15 min

Players

3-10

Pitch size

Defensive third

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Back Pass Support Work: Handling VolumeGKCS123Defensive third

Back Pass Support Work: Handling Volume — Goalkeeping set-up — serve, save, reset · Defensive third

Step 1 of 4Defenders pass back to the keeper under pressure.

  1. 1. Defenders pass back to the keeper under pressure.
  2. 2. Keeper must play out to an outlet or clear long if pressed.
  3. 3. Ten repetitions then rotate.
  4. 4. Ten unbroken repetitions per set with clean handling — a drop means the set restarts.
  • Cones mark the area
  • Full goal
  • GK = goalkeeper
  • C = coach serving, S = second server
  • Ball
  • Cones mark the keeper's starting positions
  • Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
  • Keeper distributes back to the server
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Deal with back passes under pressure
  • -Support the defence as a footballer
  • -Make the right decision at speed

Setup

  1. 1Keeper with two defenders in front of the goal.
  2. 2One or two pressing forwards.
  3. 3Target outlets on both flanks.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Defenders pass back to the keeper under pressure.
  2. 2Keeper must play out to an outlet or clear long if pressed.
  3. 3Ten repetitions then rotate.
  4. 4Ten unbroken repetitions per set with clean handling — a drop means the set restarts.

Coaching points

  • -Position to receive on an angle, not flat
  • -First touch away from the presser
  • -Communicate the option before receiving
  • -W-shape hands behind the ball
  • -Cushion and secure into the chest

Common mistakes

  • -Standing flat behind the ball
  • -Taking too many touches
  • -Panicked clearance out of play

Where this drill fits

Related drills

Pitch set-up: Passing Diamond12315 x 15 yards per diamond
Passing
Premium

Passing Diamond

Sharp, accurate passing off both feet

15 min 8-16Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
PassingReceivingFirst Touch
Pitch set-up: First Touch & Turn123C20 x 10 yards
First Touch
Premium

First Touch & Turn

Take the first touch away from pressure

12 min 4-18Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
First TouchReceivingBall Mastery
Pitch set-up: Aerial Control Practice12C15 x 10 yards
Receiving

Aerial Control Practice

Control a bouncing or lofted ball cleanly

12 min 4-16Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
ReceivingFirst TouchHeading
Pitch set-up: Playing Out From The BackGKCS123Two thirds of a pitch
Playing Out From The Back

Playing Out From The Back

Build calmly from the keeper under pressure

25 min 10-18Intermediate / Advanced
Under 10 to Adults
Playing Out From The BackPossessionTeam Shape
Pitch set-up: Goalkeeper Handling & DistributionGKCS123Penalty area
Goalkeeping

Goalkeeper Handling & Distribution

Handle shots and crosses safely

18 min 2-8Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 8 to Adults
GoalkeepingPlaying Out From The BackTechnical Practice
Pitch set-up: Goalkeeper Footwork & AnglesGKCS123Penalty area
Goalkeeping
Premium

Goalkeeper Footwork & Angles

Move efficiently across the goal

15 min 2-6Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 8 to Adults
GoalkeepingSpeed & AgilityTechnical Practice