Check-to-and-Away
Off-Ball Movement
Legend
- players
- opponents or partner
- ball
- core action
How it works
Practice the check-to movement, step toward the ball, then explode away, as a receiving pattern.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
Your focus
Checking movement is the foundation of all advanced receiving. Players who check toward the ball to freeze their marker, then explode into space, create open passing lanes that flat-footed players never get.
Place a cone 6 yards from a wall (or from a partner standing still).
Start behind the cone. Step toward the wall (check).
Freeze for half a second, then explode in the opposite direction (away).
Call for the ball as you make the away run.
Receive the ball (passed from partner or bounced off wall) into space. Do 10 reps each direction.
Goal
You've got it when your check sells the move and the away run creates clean separation.
Helpful cues
- Sell the check, make it convincing
- Freeze before the away run
- Receive the ball across your body, into space
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Do the movement pattern without the ball first.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a second cone, player must choose between check-to or deep run based on partner's signal.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.