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Free activity · 100 Possession Activities

Three Zones Through

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

A 24x16 in three zones, with 2v2 in each end and two neutrals in the middle. Score by going from one end to the other through a neutral. The direct pass does not count, so the team has to find the player in the middle.

Setup

A 24x16 in three zones. 2v2 in each end zone, two neutrals in the middle zone.

How it works

• Score by passing from one end zone to the other through a neutral.
• Direct end-to-end passes do not count.
• Neutrals have two touches.

Scoring

First to five scores.

Make it easier or harder

• Progression 1: Neutrals have one touch.
• Progression 2: One defender may enter the middle zone.

Coach’s notes

• If It Stalls: End players hoarding the ball? A pass into the middle within three passes, or possession changes.

Why it works

Teams go around because it is safe. This makes going through the only way to score, so players get hundreds of repetitions of the pass they usually avoid.

The neutral is learning the most. Receiving on the half-turn means the next pass is already on before the ball arrives.

Where it sits

This is activity 23 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 3 · Through the Lines). 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 playing through the lines drills ›