Passing

Triangle Passing Overload

Keep the ball in a 4v1 or 5v2

Passing

Possession

Receiving

Triangle Passing Overload is a 14-minute passing drill for 5-12 players, suitable for Under 8 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Passing

Possession

Receiving

Technical Practice

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Foundation Phase

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

14 min

Players

5-12

Pitch size

18 x 18 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Triangle Passing Overload — Passing triangle · 18 x 18 yards

Step 1 of 3Possession team keeps the ball, aiming to split the defenders.

1. Possession team keeps the ball, aiming to split the defenders.
2. Defenders swap after a regain or thirty seconds.
3. Count consecutive passes for a score.

Cones mark the area
Ball
Cones mark each station in the shape
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Keep the ball in a 4v1 or 5v2
-Create passing triangles constantly
-Play out of pressure calmly

Setup

1Mark an 18 yard square with a triangle of cones inside.
2Four or five in possession, one or two defenders.
3Spare balls on the outside for quick restarts.

Coaching instructions

1Possession team keeps the ball, aiming to split the defenders.
2Defenders swap after a regain or thirty seconds.
3Count consecutive passes for a score.

Coaching points

-Support on angles, never in the shadow of a defender
-Disguise the pass with the eyes and hips
-Move immediately after passing

Common mistakes

-Standing flat and square
-Forcing the split pass
-Passing too slowly under pressure

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 8

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
+Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
+Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
-Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
-Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
-Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
-Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
-Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
-Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
-Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
-1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch