Inside tracking

Against an organised defence the chances to break the line with a pass are reduced. However, by drifting out and then passing back in the ball carrier can create an opportunity, because defenders often become lazy and don’t cover the inside pass. The skill comes from the receiver “tracking” inside the passer, following his drift.

Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10

What to think about

The inside tracking play allows forwards and backs to be part of the attacking line together. A forward could be the tracking player or the passer. The inside tracking play also allows for dummy passes, because a defender might drift back towards the player entering the line. Watch out for forward passes though, as the inside pass can be quite difficult.

set-up

1.  Take the pass at speed and angle out to pull your opponent wider.
2.  The receiving player stays deep, inside the passer and outside any covering defenders, to burst through the gap.

What you get your players to do

Pair the players up, one with a ball. The player without the ball has to shadow the ball carrier staying behind and about 3m away. The ball carrier can change angles. Split into threes with a ball (as in the picture). Set out two lines of cones at an angle to the direction of the attack as in the top picture. Make two players run up the lines, with a miss pass to one player and then a pass back inside to another.