⚽ Warm-Up
Arrival Triangle
Grassroots coaches lose 5–10 minutes every session to arrivals.
Arrival Triangle — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Quality touches even in the warm-up
◆Why this drill works
Grassroots coaches lose 5–10 minutes every session to arrivals. The first kid turns up, then their mate, then a parent's car arrives, then someone's late. Standing around kills the energy before the session even starts. The Arrival Triangle gives anyone a productive thing to do the moment they show up: jog into a triangle of cones, dribble between them. The first arrival starts; the second joins; by the time the squad is complete, everyone has 5+ minutes of touches in the bank. The drill scales from 1 player to 16 without coach intervention.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- When the first player arrives: set up 3 cones in a triangle, ~10 yards apart. Hand them a ball. Tell them: 'Dribble between the cones — both feet, head up. We're warming up.' That's it.
- As more players arrive, they pick up a ball and join. No instruction needed — the format is self-explanatory.
- After 4 minutes (or when ~half the squad has arrived), shout one cue: 'change direction every cone'. Adds a tiny technical layer.
- After 6 minutes: 'use your weak foot only'. By now most arrivals are in. The drill is doing its job — they're warm, they've had touches, the squad's energy is up.
- When the squad is complete, transition to the formal warm-up. Most coaches find this transition feels natural after the Arrival Triangle — players are already moving and warm.
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Quality touches even in the warm-up
- Active, engaged movement — not going through the motions
Correct when you see
- Static stretching cold — keep the movement dynamic
- Standing in queues — keep everyone active
- Treating the warm-up casually — quality starts here
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Marker Cones (50-pack) | Set up any warm-up grid. | Check price → |
| Value | Training Bibs (10-pack) | Team activation games. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Agility Ladder | Dynamic movement prep. | Check price → |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is Arrival Triangle suitable for?
This warm-up suits youth and can be scaled in intensity to match the group.
How many players do I need for Arrival Triangle?
This drill works well with around 12 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does Arrival Triangle take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to run it — about 18 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.