Category: Passing

Mark out an area approximately 15 yards by 10 yards with a goal three yards wide in the middle.

Game Rules

Each player remains behind his own line.

A shot can be played with the inside or outside of the foot through the goal.

The receiving player controls the ball behind his line and tries to pass the ball through the goal (if by lack of control the ball rebounds into the goal, it does not count).

As the players improve, increase the length of the area of decrease the size of the goal.

Limit the touches to three or, as players improve, to two.

Play the game for five minutes and have the players keep score.

Player Objectives

To control the ball and set up the pass.

To achieve pace and accuracy of passes.

Progression

Two players stand in the grids on each side of the goal. The ball is passed through the gate after both players have touched it.

Conditions

• Both players must touch the ball and the ball must not stop. If the ball does stop or the ball is passed without both players touching it a point is awarded to the other team. Begin by allowing two touches, then one touch.
• Left foot only
• Right foot only
• First pair to score ten points wins.

Drill 1: Pass and Move

Description: There are three lines of players behind three cones, arranged in a triangle.

The player in the front of each line passes the ball over to the next. As he completes his pass, he moves over to the back of the line that is opposite to the direction of his pass.

Explanation: This drill incorporates many fundamental aspects of passing. First of all, all passes are made in a triangle, which is the basis of all ball movement.

Secondly, the players are forced to move right after releasing the ball. This enforces the dynamic concept “pass and move.” Task: keep the ball moving from cone to cone; after a pass from Line 1 to Line 2, the player passing must go to back of the opposite Line 3 and so on

Purpose: technique, rhythm

Complexity: simple

Drill 2: Combination Passing

Task: to advance with the ball while preserving width

Purpose: maintaining attacking shape, passing to space

Complexity: simple to medium

Description: Three evenly spaced players advance the ball forward through combinations of dribbling and passing. There are many variations of this soccer drill. As shown in this particular diagram, the ball is always dribbled to the middle and passed to the outside. An important fact to notice is that when running past a player dribbling with the ball (Steps 3 to 5) you must always run behind him (Step 5 occurs after 4.)

Explanation: Combination plays are great for young players because they teach many fundamental principles of attacking.

Preserving width, for example, is important because it challenges and pulls out the enemy defense.
Drill 3: Keep away

Description: Two teams of players try to maintain possession of the ball in a confined area.

Task: keep possession of the ball and complete a X number of consecutive passes

Purpose: vision, onball & offball movement

Complexity: medium

Explanation: This drill is used to develop passing in a dynamic game-like atmosphere. Demand that the players get spread out in attack and compress around the ball when defending. Restrictions could be implemented for increasing the difficulty. For example, prohibit the players from making back passes (where the ball cannot be played back to the player who passed it.) Imposing a limit on the consecutive touches per player is also a good way of increasing the challenge.

This is a very simple drill which combines long distance passing and receiving with the use of bending runs. It is also a good conditioning drill.

Setup: Three players, one ball, four cones, grid size approximately 20 yards by 60 yards.

Using four cones set up a grid 20 yards x 60 yards. Each cone will be in the centre of a side of the grid – forming a diamond shape pattern.

Start: Two players are at one end of grid on a cone. Player 1 takes off on a bending run (j-shaped) around the cone on one side. He calls for the ball and Player 2 passes the ball at or in front of the cone. Player 1 receives the football and with one touch knocks it to Player 3 who is waiting at the far cone. Player 3 receives the ball and drops it near the cone and takes off on his bending run around the cone to his right. Player 2 takes the ball and upon the request (call for the ball) by Player 3, plays it at the cone Player 3 is running around (with a bending run). Player 3 receives the ball and with one touch knocks it to Player 2 who is waiting at the cone where the drill began. Player 2 receives the ball and drops it near the cone and takes off on his bending run around the cone to his right. The drill continues in that manner.

Alternatives: Run the drill both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Start the drill by requiring the players play the ball on the ground. Once they get the hang have them play the ball in the air. At the beginning of the drill have the players making the bending run “call” for the ball. Later, require that they communicate non-verbally.

Coaching Points:

Balls must have proper pace. The player receiving the ball must not have to slow down to receive the ball.
Pay attention that proper technique is used by the player making the pass. Hips must be “aimed” in the direction of the pass. Follow-through must be in the direction of the pass. Accuracy is more important than power – at least at the beginning.

Player must make a bending run so that he can see the passer within three to five steps after beginning his run. If he cannot see the passer he’s not bending his run enough. This is important because the passer may be under pressure from the defence and may have to release the pass earlier than the receiving player is expecting it. A good bending run allows the receiver to see the passer as much as possible during his run and the passer to hit the pass to the players feet without hitting his heels.

A soccer coaching drill that works on passing and movement off the ball

This drill gets players moving and passing more effectively. Practice time is precious and it disturbs me to see long lines of players standing almost still as they pass the ball back and forth practicing their skills. Furthermore, in scrimmages and games they often make decent passes and then stand and watch. (Which is exactly what they have done in practice a thousand times….) The triangles gets them to move without the football, especially just after they have made a pass.

Learning the triangle movement is important in itself but the real fun comes by incorporating this pattern into a multitude of games with shooting, keep away, defence, relay races etc.

Some may recognize the moving triangles as a “weave” pattern, which it is. But unlike the classic “basketball” type weave which works across a line, the moving triangles open the field up into 3 dimensions as the players find “space” without the ball.

I usually start this drill early in the practice session and quickly use it to play one of the many games. (see below) It can end up being pretty tiring, so take frequent breaks and only set them in motion for about 60 to 90 seconds.

The basic game

A passes to B and immediately sprints between the other two players B & C.
soccer ballPlayer B receives the ball with a trailing leg cushion trap and passes to player C with no more than 2 touches.

Player B now sprints between the new space created by players A & C.

The pattern continues as player C receives the ball and passes to A. Now the triangle will begin to move around the field, and the fun begins. Start up several of these triangles and let them cross and bump through each other as they pass the ball.

It’s not that important that they keep the pattern precise. The important things is that they pass to someone, and then move. Also, they may not want to always run between the other 2 players, and instead run behind them, which is OK. It just briefly turns the triangle into a “basketball” weave pattern.

In fact, to keep the triangle moving up the field, and not sideways, they will have to “break” the pattern. Experiment with it.

Simple variations.

1. Vary between 3 touch passing, 2 touch passing and occasional 1 touch movement. GAME-e.g. most successful 2 touch passes wins.

2. Vary the size of the triangles and passing length. See which group can do the longest passes.

3. Try several minutes with only outside of the foot passes. GAME – most successful passes win.

4.Encourage advanced receiving skills with deflections behind the other leg and feints before the “touch”. GAME – add a defender and count the number of successful passes before an interception.

5. Call out a move or feint (e.g. “single scissors” or “Matthews”..) and each player must perform that move just before the pass. GAME – once again add a defender and see which group lasts the longest.

More variations.

1. Triangle races. Have 2 or three “triangles” start behind the goal line and race up the field to the other goal, passing all the time. Some groups will figure out how to make big long passes and that is OK. Other groups will pass quick short ones. Add a penalty if they do more than 2 touches (like 2 somersaults, or 10 “in-betweens etc.)

2. “Wedgie shots”. Start the triangle (“wedgie”) at mid-field and have them work up the field towards the goal to take a shot from just inside the penalty box. A shot on goal gets a point, and if they beat the goalie it’s 3 points. As they get better, add a defender.

3. “Attack of the wedgies”. Start up a couple of triangles at the same time. Confine them to less than half a field. The object of the game is to continue passing in the usual pattern but also to intercept the pass from another group, and kick it out of bounds for 1 point.

Objectives: Passing, Control, Silly and Fun

Verdict: a fun football coaching game that helps improve passing in tight situations.

Description

Set up:
Randomly place cones throughout a defined area; I use the Penalty Area. Cones should be rather close together, 3 yards apart on average and no set pattern, but make sure that there are no clearly defined lanes, end to end. Divide players into two teams. Have each team line up in pairs, the two teams will be at one of the defined area’s end lines.

Procedure:
The object of each pair of players is to pass to his teammate through the cones without the ball or a player’s foot touching a cone. (I tell the players that it is a mine field and that the cones are land mines.) Do not allow players to dribble but only to make passes.

Begin by allowing the first pair from each team to go. Once a pair of players reach the far end line, the next pair from their team can go. If a ball or a player’s foot touches a cone (land mine), that pair has to go back to the starting line and begin again. First team to successfully get all of their players across the mine field wins.

To deal with odd numbers of players or pairs, make one or more players or pairs go twice as needed.

Pressure passing

Set up a circle of cones about 10m in diameter (you can use the centre circle).

One player stands in the middle, the rest space themselves out equally around the edge of the circle. The player in the middle receives the ball from a player on the edge, controls it, turns and passes to another player. As soon as he or she passes the ball out, a second ball is played in from the edge of the circle. As soon as this ball is passed out to a player on the edge of the circle the first ball is played in again and so on.

The central player has to run quickly backwards and forwards to provide passes to the rest of the circle.

Swap players after one minute.

Stress the importance of good, crisp and accurate passing. Insist the central player gets their head up and looks at the target.

Vary the game by only allowing two touches, then one touch.

Played properly, this is an intensive and fun workout.

Keep Away ring

Players pair up and stand across from each other around a circle of cones. One player or coach stands inside the circle and tries to intercept passes made between the players. Passes made between the players count as goals. Change the players in the circle after a pass is intercepted or after a short time.

Cone Game

Players pair up and stand across from each other around a circle. Set up 6 or 8 cones in the middle of the circle as targets. Players try to knock over the cones in the middle with accurate passes.

Triangle Pass

Set up a three player triangle. Each group has one ball. Players try to pass around the triangle shape. Make sure they reverse the direction of the passes from time to time.

After a certain level of proficiency is reached, add a defender to try and intercept the passes.

Four Corner Pass

Set up a 10 yd. x 10 yd grid with cones at each of the corners. Four players work with one ball, one on each side of the grid. A fifth player defends inside the grid.

Players may only run on their sides of the grid between the cones. They then attempt to pass the ball across the grid. Change the middle defender frequently.

Star Wars

This classic game is very exciting for younger players. Set up a 10 yd. x 20 yd. grid. Have all players’ line up at one end prepared to run to the other end. The coach or player stands just outside the grid with several balls at the ready.

On command the players attempt to run to the endline while evading balls kicked at them by the coach. All shots should be kept below waist level. Players hit by shooting balls become additional shooters until only one player is left.

Basic passing

Split the team up into partners, giving each pair a ball. Have the players pass and trap the ball, while you evaluate their skill. Later, introduce one touch control passing

Circle passing

Many of the basic circle games can be used to practice passing. Try using a circle with two players in the middle trying to intercept passes made by the girls on the outside. The player whose pass is intercepted goes into the middle.

Triangles

This is a good way to reinforce basic passing skills with the added bonus of introducing vision and awareness.

Make some triangles on the field using small cones about ten yards apart.

To start the game, each cone has a player standing next to it. Player 1 passes to player 2 then immediately runs between player 2 and 3. Player 2 passes to player 3 and runs through the gap between player 3 and player 1. And so on.

Done properly, this is a fast game that reinforces the pass/move combination, makes players look carefully to find their next target and requires good passing technique. Just be careful the players don’t all disappear out of sight!

Relays

The basic practice is A passing to D and running to the back of the line, D passing to B and so on. Practice this for a few minutes (watching for and praising correct technique) then add the requirement that players must shout out the name of the person they are passing to. If they don’t, send them back and make them do it again.

Adding this rule has the following benefits.

• It makes the players talk,
• It makes them look up to see who they are passing to,
• If done at the start of a season, it helps introduce the new girls to each other and breaks down inhibitions.

This game can be made competitive by making the first team to do 30 passes the winner.

Many variations are possible – go from two touch to one touch, for example.

Three ball keepaway

Start with two teams of equal numbers and three soccer balls. On your signal, players try to possess as many balls as possible.

On your second signal the play stops and the team in possession of two or more balls wins that round. Repeat several times.

In this game, players must be good passers of the ball to keep possession. They must also make decisions on where to run when they don’t have the ball, when to pass or dribble, and whom to pass to.

One of the most common errors young soccer players make is to stand still and wait for the ball to reach them rather than moving towards the pass (or ‘checking’ to the ball).

Failure on the part of receivers to move towards the ball allows defenders to put them under pressure before they’ve had a chance to get the ball under control. In turn, this usually results in receivers kicking the ball away in a panic as they sense the defender closing on them. The team loses momentum as the ball is given away unnecessarily and the football looks messy and unattractive.

This very simple exercise (taken from the useful Youth Soccer Coach site) helps engrain the habit of moving towards a pass rather than waiting for the ball to come to you.

In the diagram below, the blue crosses represent players A and B and the red ‘donuts’ are cones.

Player A passes to the cone beside player B.

Player B is told to receive the ball before it reaches the cone, control it and pass it back to the cone next to player A.

Repeat, encouraging accuracy and good weight of pass.

Recognise effort and good technique.

A number of variations are possible, simply by adding cones and asking players to run between them or adding players and asking all the players to pass and move simultaneously.

Theory into practice

In the SSG (small sided game) at the end of your practice session, watch out for players checking to the ball or passing into space and praise them.

Playing ..

Split players into 2 even teams (play 4 vs 4 up to 7 vs 7)

Mark a large grid with cones (approximately 40 yards x 30 yards)

A neutral player is placed at each end of the field.

To score a goal, a team must make 5 or more consecutive passes to teammates and then must make the 6th pass to one of the neutral players without the ball being touched by the opposition.

After 5 consecutive passes are completed, the players from that team may pass to either neutral player to score, no need to alternate between neutral players.

A player (team) does not get credit for a pass if the ball is passed back to the player
from which it came. (But they still keep possession and play continues)

Any time a team is dispossessed of the ball before completing 5 passes, the opposition starts at pass #1.
Once the neutral player receives the pass that counts as the goal he/she must pass
the ball first time (one touch pass) to the same team that scored the goal and that
team begins play again at pass #1.

Coaching Points

Players keep their heads up, know where your teammates are and pass to the open player.

Play quickly

Teammates must support the player receiving the pass

A minimum of 2 players give close support options

A minimum of 1 player gives long support

Thus spreading the defenders and opening the field

Players make runs to open space to receive passes

Make quick (change of speed) runs to get open to receive a pass.

(Don’t be a Johnny Jogger) who always jogs the same speed and is easy to defend.

Competition, Variations & Restrictions:

Play games to 5 and losing team does 5 jumping jacks

Restrict players in the grid to 2 touches … if a player touches the ball 3 times
they lose possession of the ball.

Restrict players to 1 touch soccer.