Back Pass Under Pressure From a Striker
The centre-back plays a back pass and a striker presses the reception: the goalkeeper takes a directional touch and chooses between the free centre-back and the far full-back.
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El central juega raso al portero y el delantero arranca a presionar eligiendo el lado.
Objective
Improve the goalkeeper's handling of back passes under real pressure: receiving shape, first touch and a fast decision on where to play.
Organisation
Penalty area with a full-size goal. One goalkeeper, two centre-backs (blue) 15 m from the goal line on each side, a striker (red) starting 20 m out and a coach. A mini-goal on the flank about 28 m away represents the far full-back; two cones 6 m from goal mark the goalkeeper's receiving zone.
Development
- 1One centre-back has the ball and plays a low back pass to the goalkeeper inside the box.
- 2As the pass is played, the striker runs at the goalkeeper and freely chooses the pressing side: inside, cutting off the opposite centre-back, or outside, cutting off the return pass.
- 3The goalkeeper opens up before receiving, takes a directional first touch away from the press with the foot furthest from the striker and lifts the head.
- 4Depending on the pressing side, the goalkeeper passes to the free centre-back or plays a long ground pass to the mini-goal representing the full-back.
- 5If the striker arrives very early, the goalkeeper may play one touch or clear to the flank.
- 6Work in sets of 8 back passes, alternating the centre-back who starts.
Coaching points4
- Ask for the pass with the hand and position diagonally, never in a straight line between the ball and the goal.
- Directional touch away from the striker's run, with the first touch taking the ball away from the body.
- Decide at the moment of the touch, not afterwards: the second touch should already be the pass.
- If there is no safe option, a long clearance to the flank is a good decision.
Common mistakes3
- Receiving square on to the centre-back with no open shape, back to the free side.
- Trying to dribble past the striker inside the box.
- Passing to the pressed centre-back out of habit without reading the striker.
Variations3
- The coach calls the pressing side and the striker obeys, to work on specific reads.
- The back pass arrives at mid height and the goalkeeper must control with the thigh or chest before playing.
- Add a blue midfielder offering a third passing line through the middle.
Progressions2
- Two strikers press the goalkeeper and one centre-back, forcing a long pass to the full-back.
- Limit the goalkeeper to two touches in every repetition.
Regressions2
- The striker presses at half pace and always from the same side.
- Work on the directional touch without pressure, with the coach pointing to the target of the pass.
Tips
- Change the striker every set so the press is always intense.
- Record completed passes and lost balls to give the goalkeeper objective feedback.