Check-In Passing Warm-Up

Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot

This soccer passing warm-up drill trains U9-U16 players to check in toward the ball and strike a clean return while moving. Working in pairs across three simple lines, players groove the timing of the run, the receiving touch, and the pass - then cycle through four different foot-surface combinations.

Browse the full passing drills library for more like this, or explore every soccer drill for U13 players.

Setup

• Set out three parallel lines of cones about 5 yards apart, with a marker cone on the middle line for each pair.
• Split the team into pairs with one ball per pair.
• Both players start on the outside lines facing each other: one 'worker' and one 'server'.

How It Works

1. The server passes into the worker, who checks in toward the middle cone.
2. The worker receives just before the middle cone and plays the ball back to the server.
3. The worker backpedals to their starting line and repeats. After 10 reps, swap roles.
4. Cycle the receiving patterns: (1) receive with the inside of one foot across the body, return with the inside of the other foot; (2) receive with the outside of the foot, return with the inside of the same foot; (3) one-touch with the inside of the foot, alternating right and left; (4) one-touch with the outside of the foot, alternating feet.

Coaching Points

• Receive with the correct surface: for the inside of the foot, toe slightly up, heel down.
• Turn the receiving toe in toward the plant foot to cushion the ball.
• Time the check-in so the ball and player arrive together - don't stand and wait.
• Backpedal with short, quick steps and stay facing the ball.

Variations

• Serve bouncing balls or gentle tosses so workers control with thigh or chest before returning.
• Add a passive defender behind the middle cone to force sharper check-ins.
• Turn it into a contest: most clean reps in 60 seconds wins.