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Backpedal Control & Pass (Triangle)

Technique for controlling the ball while moving backwards

Players: 5Age: U-10Time: 7 minLevel: IntermediateIntensity: Low
Focus: Ball control, Backpedal, Body orientation

Use this when…

When pressed during build-up, players can't escape the pressure.

You want to know how to beat the press with the first touch.

Setup & rules

  • Set up in a triangle
  • Use two balls: control & pass
  • Move after you pass
  • Change direction after a set time

Key factors

  • Backpedal while facing the ball
  • Open your body while moving backwards
  • Control with the inside of the foot farther from the pass
  • Don't twist your body or foot to change direction — think of pushing the ball with your whole body

Progressions

Once players are used to it, the player who passed presses as a defender.

Build the picture of escaping the press with a control from the backpedal.

Use this drill in your own session

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I'm Kazu — a youth football coach in Japan since 1995. These are sessions I actually use, shared from the Japanese coaching site I have run for years (Junior Soccer College). I also write a free weekly newsletter on how children learn the game.