Carnmoney Colts Academy badgeCarnmoney ColtsAcademy Join

Practice games

3v1 Passers

Two teams keep the ball at each end while one defender at a time comes in from the middle.

Practice 13 min 9 to 12 players Half pitch 2016 to 2017

Pass, Receive, Heads Up Lift each other

At a glance

  • 20 by 45 grid with a 5 m channel across the middle. Teams of three: blue at the top end, green at the bottom, yellow in the channel.
  • One yellow defender runs in against blue, who make 5 passes. If the defender wins it, they pass it back and the count starts again.
  • After 5 passes, blue play the ball across to green. A new yellow defender runs in against green, and the first goes back to the channel.
  • Swap which team defends every 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Progress 1: A second yellow defender runs in: 3 against 2.
  • Progress 2: Win it and swap: the defender's team replaces the team that lost the ball.

If it's not working: The defender walks, not runs.

3v1 Passers: set-upchannel1231 five passes, 2 defender runs in, 3 play it across20 m by 45 m
  • blue team
  • yellow team
  • green team
  • run
  • pass
  • 1in this order

Two halves with a channel across the middle. Three teams of three: blue at the top end, green at the bottom and yellow in the channel. One yellow defender runs in while blue keep the ball and try to make five passes. After five, they play the ball across to green and a new yellow defender goes in there; the first one returns to the channel. Swap the defending team every two to three minutes.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Mark a 20 by 45 grid divided into 2 halves with a 5 m channel across the middle.
  • Three teams of three in different bib colours: one at each end and one in the channel.

Balls, bibs and cones. A 20 by 45 grid in two halves with a 5 m channel across the middle. Three teams of three in different bib colours.

How to play

  • One defender from the channel runs in against the end team, who try to make 5 passes.
  • If the defender wins the ball, they pass it straight back and the count starts again.
  • After 5 passes, the end team plays the ball across to the other end team. A new defender runs in there, and the first goes back to the channel.
  • Swap the defending team every 2 to 3 minutes.

Make it easier

  • The defender walks instead of running, so the passers have more time on the ball.
  • Widen each end area to about 25 m, so the passers have more room.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. A second yellow defender runs in: 3 against 2.
  2. Win it and swap: if the defender wins the ball, their team replaces the team that lost it.
  3. Limit the passers to two touches.

Three things to say

  • Soft first touch.
  • Move so the passer can see you.
  • Pass to the player away from the defender.

Colts habit

Lift each other: move to give the passer an option.

Both feet

One pass in every five with the practice foot.

Heads up

Look for the far team before the fifth pass.

Safety: Keep the area clear of bags and bottles. Stay on your feet, no slide tackles. No heading.

Keeping score: Passes in a row before the defender gets a touch.