Up-Back-Through Automatism
The classic up-back-through grooved until it is automatic — striker sets, midfielder slides the runner between the lines, finish.
Theme
Passing
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
20 min
Players (min–rec–max)
10–12–16
Area
40 × 50 yards
Session phase
Main
Age groups
U16, U18, Adult
Equipment
goal, GK, 4 mannequins, balls, cones
Objective
Groove the up-back-through combination until the timing is automatic: the striker's drop, the set, the disguised through ball and the third-man run arriving between the centre-back line.
Set-up
Goal and GK at the top of a 40x50 area. A line of four mannequins 30 yards from goal represents the opposition back line. Pivot starts central 45 yards out with the balls, striker between the mannequins, attacking midfielder ten yards off to the side, winger wide. Mirror the start positions so you can run the pattern off both sides.
How it runs
- The pivot drives a pass UP into the striker, who drops off the mannequin line to receive on the half-turn cue.
- Striker sets BACK first time into the path of the attacking midfielder, who has moved onto it at angle.
- The midfielder plays THROUGH the gap between two mannequins with one touch, weighting it into the channel.
- The winger times a bent run beyond the mannequin line, stays onside, and finishes across the GK.
- Rotate pivot → striker → midfielder → winger; after 6 reps switch the through ball to the other gap and run it off the left side.
- Insist every player hits the set and the through ball with both feet across the session.
Coaching points
- Drive the first pass — a slow ball UP kills the whole pattern.
- Striker: arrive late, set with the back foot into the runner's stride.
- Disguise the through ball — open the hips one way, slide it the other.
- Runner: bend the run to stay onside, arrive as the ball is released.
Common mistakes
- The striker drops too early and receives standing still — time the drop so the ball and movement meet.
- The through ball is played to the runner's feet instead of the space — weight it into the channel beyond the mannequins.
- The runner goes too soon and would be offside — start the run as the set is travelling, not before.
Progressions
- Replace two mannequins with live recovering defenders.
- Striker chooses: set for the through ball or spin for a clipped ball over the top — midfielder must read it.
- Add a second wave: the pivot follows in for any cutback or rebound.
Regressions
- Walk the pattern at 50% until the sequence is memorised.
- Widen the mannequin gaps to make the through ball easier.
- Allow two touches on the set and the through ball.
Constraints
- Set and through ball are one touch only.
- Alternate the side and the foot every rep — no hiding the weak foot.