Why do coaches talk about triangles?

Because a player with a teammate on each side always has two passes. Three players in a triangle are hard to defend with one or two defenders.

How big should the triangle be?

About 10 yards a side for U10 and U12, and 6 to 8 yards for U8. The pass should arrive firmly without being hard to control.

Is this better than a rondo?

It is a step before it. The triangle has no defender, so use it briefly to set habits, then move to a 3v1 rondo where the same passes are made under pressure.

Triangle passing soccer drill

Triangle passing is a drill in which four players pass a ball around three cones set in a triangle, and each player follows their pass to the next cone. It trains passing to the correct foot, an open body shape and moving right after the pass.

Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.

Triangle passing: setup diagram

Three cones make a triangle. Two players start at the bottom-left cone. The ball is passed from cone to cone and each player follows their pass. Gold: attackers. Triangles: cones. Solid arrow: pass. Dashed arrow: run. Open this diagram as a picture.

At a glance

Detail	For this drill
Ages	U8 to U12 (ages 7 to 12)
Players	Groups of 4
Space	14 x 12 yd (13 x 11 m)
Equipment	One ball and 3 cones per group
Time	8 to 10 minutes
Skill	Passing and receiving

Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.

How to run it

Set three cones in a triangle with sides of 10 yards. Two players start at the first cone, one at each of the others.
The first player passes to the second cone and runs after the pass to that cone.
The receiver opens up, takes a first touch around the cone with the back foot, and passes to the third cone, then follows.
Keep the ball moving for one minute, then change direction so the other foot does the work.
Progress to one touch where possible, then to a one-two with the player at the next cone before passing on.

Coaching points to say out loud

“Pass to the back foot.”
“Open your body.”
“Follow your pass at speed.”
“Firm passes on the ground.”

Make it easier or harder

Easier
Shorten the sides to 6 yards and allow as many touches as needed.
Harder
Add a second ball for a group of five, or put a passive defender on one cone so the receiver must check away and come back to get free.

Common mistakes

Groups of eight on one triangle. Four players means everybody touches the ball every few seconds.
Receiving with the back to the next cone, so every pass needs an extra touch.
Walking after the pass. The run is half the drill.

Why it matters in a game

Triangles are the shape of support: the player on the ball with one teammate to each side. Our lessons on support and spreading out teach how to make those angles in a game, when the cones are gone and defenders stand in the way.

The lesson that teaches it: Step Out of the Blocked Lane.

Questions about Triangle passing

Why do coaches talk about triangles?
Because a player with a teammate on each side always has two passes. Three players in a triangle are hard to defend with one or two defenders.
How big should the triangle be?
About 10 yards a side for U10 and U12, and 6 to 8 yards for U8. The pass should arrive firmly without being hard to control.
Is this better than a rondo?
It is a step before it. The triangle has no defender, so use it briefly to set habits, then move to a 3v1 rondo where the same passes are made under pressure.

Lessons that teach this idea

Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.

Play the lesson: Step Out of the Blocked Lane