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Free activity · 100 Possession Activities

Show Late

By Gabe Ramos · U.S. Soccer Coach Educator · Updated November 2026

A 14x14, 5v2, with one attacker inside. The inside player may only receive if they were more than 3 yards from the ball one second before the pass. Showing late beats a defender before they can react.

Setup

A 14x14, 5v2. Four attackers on the sides and one inside.

How it works

• The inside player may only receive if they were more than 3 yards from the ball one second before the pass.
• Six passes is a point. Inside player involved is two.
• Rotate the inside player every minute.

Scoring

First to 15.

Make it easier or harder

• Progression 1: Inside player has one touch.
• Progression 2: Two inside players against three defenders.

Coach’s notes

• If It Stalls: Inside player showing early? Freeze and count the yards.

Why it works

Players who want the ball tend to show for it early and stand still. That gives the defender all the time they need. This rule makes them wait, then go.

The passer has a job too. Looking away before the pass is a small piece of disguise that young players can learn.

Where it sits

This is activity 64 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 7 · Movement to Receive). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.

All movement off the ball drills ›