LevelUp.soccer
    advanced
    premium
    12-15 minutes
    Passing
    First Touch
    5v5
    7v7

    Release Under Time (1.5s)

    Train a sub-1.5-second receive-and-release so the ball moves before pressure arrives. Scan, receive with a directional first touch, and play the next pass inside 1.5 seconds of first contact.

    Get scored on this drill — free

    Upload a phone video. The LevelUp AI returns a score, breakdown, and tips in minutes.

    Start free
    Objective

    Receive, decide, and release the next pass within 1.5 seconds of first contact so the ball moves before pressure arrives.

    Setup

    Receiving cone with two target cones 8-10 yards away at different angles. Wall or partner serves a firm ground ball. Stopwatch app tracks contact-to-release time.

    Instructions
    1. Place a cone at your receiving position and two target cones 8-10 yards away at different angles
    2. Partner (or wall) serves a firm ball to your receiving cone
    3. Scan once before the ball arrives so you already know which target you're hitting
    4. Receive with a directional first touch toward your chosen target
    5. Play the pass off your second touch — total time from first contact to release must be under 1.5 seconds (use a stopwatch app for honest timing)
    6. Alternate targets and feet; chart how many reps land under 1.5s
    What good looks like
    • Scan happens before the ball is served — target is already chosen
    • First touch is directional — out of the body, toward the chosen target
    • Total time from first contact to release stays under 1.5 seconds
    • Pass weight reaches the target cone cleanly on the ground
    Common mistakes
    • Scanning AFTER the touch instead of before — adds a full second to release time
    • Heavy first touch that has to be re-controlled before the pass
    • First touch toward the wrong target so the pass requires a body reset
    • Reaching for the ball with the standing leg, killing the release angle
    Equipment
    1 ball
    3 cones
    Wall or partner to serve
    Timer or stopwatch app
    Position fit
    All
    Progressions
    How to make this drill harder as the player improves.

    Foundation

    Level 1

    Two-touch receive and release, no timer — both feet, both targets, focus on directional first touch.

    Form

    Level 2

    Same as Level 1 with a stopwatch — log every rep's time without trying to rush.

    Tempo

    Level 3

    Two-touch receive and release under 2.0 seconds, 10 of 15 reps per foot.

    Pressure

    Level 4

    Two-touch receive and release under 1.5 seconds, 10 of 15 reps per foot.

    Match Rhythm

    Level 5

    Partner calls the target AFTER the serve — must still release under 1.5s.

    Mastery

    Level 6

    Live passive defender on your back — release under 1.5s while shielding the first touch.

    How the AI scores this drill
    Primary metric: Accuracy And Weight

    Accuracy

    35%

    Ball reaches intended target precisely

    Weight/Pace

    25%

    Ball arrives at correct speed - not too hard, not too soft

    Technique

    25%

    Proper form: plant foot, body over ball, follow through

    Both Feet Ability

    15%

    Can pass accurately with non-dominant foot

    Try this drill, get an AI score in minutes

    No credit card. Upload a phone video and we'll grade you on the criteria above.

    Get scored — free