Similar to basketball, triangle passing patterns and movements in soccer/football is very useful. Players need to be taught at a young age of 7-8 years old, so they create good habits. Coaches can help players learn by putting them in the right environment through drills and teaching.
2 drills for triangle passing [opposed]
2 drills you can adapt different ways…
1. 3v1’s is by far, one of the best and most “simple” ways to improve triangle passing. The 3 represents offensive players vs 1 defender.
Make a grid 10×10 yards… This can be adapted to be smaller or bigger.
The goal is for the 3 players to get 5-15 passes without losing the ball.
You don’t want it where they can make 20 passes or the defender will feel defeated. You also don’t want it where the attacking 3 can only get 2 passes.
3 ways to make 3v1’s more challenging:
- Strong or weak foot only
- 3 touches only
- 1 touch only
2. Possession drill with the purpose to create triangle shapes as much as possible by moving off the ball.
Whether it’s 5v5, 7v7 or 11v11, you can use a game of possession to teach/learn triangle passing.
Learn the difference of unopposed vs opposed
Unopposed triangle passing drill
Above are the opposed [pressure from defenders], where this one doesn’t have a defender.
Sometimes the best drills are the most simple.
If your teammates are moving off the ball well, you should have support to your right or left.
Therefore, players need to be good at receiving the ball and then passing the opposite way.
2 best ways to receive and redirect the pass:
- Receive with the inside of the back foot, take 3 steps and pass with the opposite.
- Same as number 1. but instead of passing with the opposite, pass with the same foot.
Practice this a few ways…
One is with a total of 3 players. The other is 2 players + 1 rebounder or you can do this all by yourself with 2 walls or rebounders.
This rebound net is a good one or you can get a rebound board like this.
Explaining the importance of triangle passing
Having a teammate on your left and right is better than only having them on one side of you.
Even if your teammates are covered it means your team is spreading the defense out.
By having support on both sides and spreading out the defense it gives the player with the ball more space to create.
However, there will be times your teammates are not open. Therefore you’ll need to dribble or play the ball long.
The best coaches are teachers of the game
Coaches need to remind players
On game day it’s important for coaches to remind their players to support the player with ball by forming a triangle.
Younger players [ages 7-11] especially need to be reminded.
Yet, world class pros need to be told what to do in training and games.
I’ll never forget when Pep Guardiola [a pro coach] responded to a reporter who was saying how good one of his young 21 year old players was performing… Pep said “Yes, because I was telling him where to be non stop,” This is amazing that a player on Manchester City is being told where to be non-stop.
Turning a triangle into a diamond
Think about the difference between a triangle and a diamond… It’s the same, except you have one more player.
A diamond gives you multiple triangles by just adding one player.
Constant movement off the ball
If one player either dibbles or makes a run, it’s important for the other teammates to recognize it and move into the space that was left vacant.
You don’t want 2 or more players in 1 space because it’s taking away from another passing option.
Movement off the ball should be changing every few seconds…
There are many good choices/options. Just be aware of both teams shape and balance.
In conclusion, there are times a players movements need to be at different speeds. For instance, sometimes you’ll need to spring, where other times walking or jogging is best.
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