Track a receiver with the ball in view
Help a defender follow an off-ball receiver’s route while continuing to check the server and leaving a safe non-contact gap.
Check the problem
The defender watches only the ball and loses the moving receiver, or follows the receiver with their back to the server. A late chase does not repair the earlier loss of information. Slow the picture so the defender can alternate their checks.
Set up the space and roles
Mark two 12 × 16 m rectangles, using four corner cones and two additional cones to mark a 3 m deep receiving zone at the far end of each. Keep 2 m clear outside each area and a 4 m gap between them. Each trio has a server, receiver and defender, with one ball. The server stays near the opposite end; the receiver begins centrally and walks toward one side of the receiving zone. The defender starts between that receiver and the zone, maintaining at least 2 m from the receiver.
Keep the rotation clear
First trio starts 1 server, 2 receiver, 3 defender; rotate server → receiver → defender → server. Repeat with 4/5/6. Final teams are 1/3/5 and 2/4/6 so each child experiences new receiving routes.
See the practice in three steps
Schematic views, not to scale. Player numbers match the roles below. Dark arrows show passes, dashed green arrows show movement and solid green arrows show carries. Use the written dimensions when marking your area.
1. Starting positions
2. The decision and movement
3. Game application
Your complete 30-minute plan
Briefing, planned role changes, water and reflection are included. Add rest or stop when needed; shorten active play rather than rushing a transition.
00:00–03:00 · 3 min
Check, explain and walk the layout
Walk the receiver left and right while the server keeps the ball still. The defender identifies both people, then adjusts sideways to stay between the receiver and the receiving zone. Explain that the task is to protect a passing route without grabbing, blocking a body or staring at only one person.
03:00–08:00 · 5 min
Prepare the movement
Keep the receiver’s chosen side predictable. The server announces readiness, lets the defender settle, then sends a comfortable ground pass only if the route is clear. The defender can intercept a loose pass while retaining the 2 m gap from the receiver. Stop after the reception or interception and reset; nobody follows through into a foot challenge.
08:00–17:00 · 9 min
Focused practice and role changes
Run three rounds of 2 minutes 40 seconds plus 20 seconds to change roles. Let the receiver choose either side at walking pace before the server passes. The defender checks the server, checks the moving receiver and adjusts without crossing the receiver’s path. If the picture becomes too quick to maintain the gap, freeze, rebuild the positions and restart slowly. The server may keep the ball when no route is open; a pass is not compulsory.
17:00–19:00 · 2 min
Water and reset
Pause for water and check the area. Prepare the 20 × 24 m game area, reusing the cones and leaving 2 m clear outside. Extra rest takes priority; shorten the next playing block if needed.
19:00–28:00 · 9 min
Use it in a game
Play 3v3 in the larger area, with a point for a controlled ground pass received across the opponents’ end line. Use three rounds of 2 minutes 40 seconds plus 20 second pauses. Defenders protect space and intercept ground passes, keeping at least 1 m from carriers and 2 m from off-ball receivers; they do not tackle feet or bodies. After a point or ball out, the other team starts at its own end with opponents 3 m back. Notice receivers moving away from the ball, without assigning permanent one-to-one markers.
28:00–30:00 · 2 min
Reflect and choose the next step
Ask the defender which check helped them notice the route change. If they lost sight of the server, repeat the walk-through; winning a lucky interception is not the only useful outcome.
Watch for a useful change
- Defender checks both server and off-ball receiver.
- Position changes before the receiver becomes unreachable.
- Defender protects a route while preserving the clear gap.
Make it easier
Announce the receiving side before any movement, keep the ball still and let the defender settle first.
When ready
Let the receiver change their chosen side once before the pass, still at walking pace and with the same gap. Avoid repeated sharp changes.
Ask the defender which check helped them notice the route change. If they lost sight of the server, repeat the walk-through; winning a lucky interception is not the only useful outcome.
Original Session Pitch practice. Open this file from the extracted folder with its three maps and stylesheet. Use your browser’s Print command to save a PDF. Field effectiveness has not been evaluated.