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Through the box

A passing and vision game (from Coerver Coaching). Players on the four sides try to pass the ball through a small box of four cones in the middle to each other, while two players guarding it from the outside try to block the passes.

Young (U5 to U8)Mid (U9 to U13)Older (U14 to U18)Passing & receivingDefendingFitness & movementFun & games

Created by Danny Jordan

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In play

The setup

Through the box diagram

Step by step

1
Outside players move it round the square with the objective of trying to pass it through the square to score a point.
2
The two players in the middle try to block the passes and stop the ball getting through.
3
If the player passes through the box and their teammate receives the ball, it's 1 point or a success.
Age group
Young (U5 to U8), Mid (U9 to U13), Older (U14 to U18)
Duration
10 to 15 mins
Players
6 (four on the outside, two in the middle); works from 5 up
Area
A square, scale it to the age group (roughly 8 to 10 yards a side), with a small box of four cones (about 2 yards square) in the middle
Equipment
Four cones for the middle box, one ball, bibs in two colours
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial

Objective

Spot and play the pass through a tight central gap under pressure, and support to receive on the other side

Set up

A playing area with a small box marked by four cones in the middle. One player on each of the four sides, on the outside. Two players in the middle guarding the cone box. The outside players try to pass through the cone box to each other; the two in the middle try to intercept. The two players in the middle must stay OUTSIDE the cone box at all times, they are not allowed inside it; they intercept from the edges.

Coaching points

  • The two middle players stay outside the box, they are not allowed in it; they must intercept from the edges, not by standing in the gate
  • Heads up: look for the gap through the box before the ball reaches you
  • Move the ball quickly around the outside to drag the two middle players out of position
  • Weight and disguise the pass, a firm, accurate ball beats the block
  • The receiver stays on their toes, ready to control cleanly on the other side

Progressions

  • Limit the outside players to two touches, then one touch, to speed it up
  • Shrink the middle box, or add a third player in the middle, to make it harder
  • Add a second ball so both pairs are trying to pass through at the same time
  • Every time a pass gets through, the closest middle player swaps out with an outside player, so everyone defends
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