Passing

Distance Passing

in Passing, Practice plans

It’s important to be able to pass the ball over long distances because it’s often the quickest way to exploit the space behind a defence, or the fastest method of switching the point of attack and so create space. MORE

Final pass Rondo

in Passing, Rondos

Creative play in and around the final third needs players to see opportunities to get the ball through to attackers behind the defence. This session helps develop their passing vision MORE

Line breaking passes

in Passing, Rondos, Tactics

The key rondos passes can be used in tactical play during matches to play between the lines with the key play splitting lines of defence to create goalscoring runs MORE

Find the free player

in Passing, Warm Ups

This warm up is ideal for training sessions about retaining possession and finding players in key positions. MORE

Create space to receive a pass

in Passing, Practice plans

By creating space before receiving a pass, a player will avoid immediate pressure, and so give themselves time to make good decisions with the ball and execute them. MORE

Space race

in Passing, Practice plans

If players want to receive a pass, rather than standing around waiting for a team mate to play one in their direction, they have to create space for themselves – in tight spots that means shaking off close markers. MORE

Possession, progression

in Passing, Practice plans

This activity works on maintaining possession of the ball, but also on recognising the need to be progressive when your team has the ball. MORE

Pass!

in Passing, Soccer drills and skills

Pass! is a great way to improve passing and receiving skills as well as the ability to spot and execute a through-pass. MORE

Look around you

in Passing, Practice plans

Assessing what’s happening on the pitch before receiving the ball will give your players the time to make the right decisions. MORE

Check in, check out

in Passing, Practice plans

A couple of sudden darting movements are all your players need to shake off a defender and create enough space to receive a pass. This session will help your players create chaos for the opposition. MORE

Snatch!

in Passing, Soccer drills and skills

A great drill for coaching short passing skills, keeping possession, defending and intercepting passes. MORE

Always on the look-out

in Passing, Practice plans

Even when not in possession, good footballers play with their head up to be aware of what’s going on around them. This means when the ball comes their way they can make well-informed and quick decisions and are more likely to make good use of the ball. MORE

Nickers

in Passing, Soccer drills and skills

Improve dribbling and passing skills by gathering balls from the middle and then nicking more from the other teams. MORE

Eye spy

in Passing, Practice plans

Good footballers keep their heads up as much as possible – even when not in possession – to take constant “pictures” of what’s going on around them. This allows them to make good, quick decisions when the ball comes their way, and stay one step ahead of the opposition. MORE

Split The Defenders

in Passing, Soccer drills and skills

Practise producing the perfect defence-splitting through ball with this variation on Piggy in the Middle. MORE

Side Supports

in Passing, Soccer drills and skills

For the youngest players, the concept of passing to keep possession is tricky to grasp. This drill gives extra support to the team in possession to help players understand what's required. MORE

One touch passing

in Passing, Warm Ups

This warm up is a great way to get players alert to one touch play and to get them ready for playing matches and keeping possession of the ball in tight areas of the pitch like the penalty area MORE

Supporting runs

in Passing, Tactics

The best teams can pass and move at speed up the pitch in passing patterns that will reflect the style of play your team is using. Possession games like this are great for getting teams to pass and move up the pitch. MORE

Moving to the ball

in Passing, Practice plans

Getting your players to move to the ball just prior to receiving it will indicate to the ball-carrier that their team-mate wants the ball, create space, and make it less likely an opponent will intercept the pass. MORE

Vital turnover ball

in Passing, Small Sided Games

Turnover of play is one of the most common occurrences in a football match, and equipping our players to know how to maximise space and possession in these situations means we can make best use of the ball. MORE

How to make a long pass – 4 activities...

in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters, Passing

The long pass advances from a short pass in that accuracy becomes vital over longer distances so technique must be practised. Use these four activities to hone the technique among your players. For beginners: Play the fun game Long and Short Of It to teach young players the art of passing the ball across longer... MORE

Short Passing Special – 8 activities for skill development

in Ball Control and Footwork, Passing

The short pass is the most basic element of soccer. Use these eight activities to hone the fundamental skill among your players. For beginners: Pass the ball 3 yards to a team mate. Sounds simplistic but a critical starting point to establish the core skills in your young players. Follow up with: Pass to a... MORE

Five Minute Basics: pressure passing

in Passing, Tips and advice

Around 90% of the times that your players receive a pass someone will challenge him for the ball. You have to practice passing under pressure with this exercise so they can do it in matches MORE

Fit and focused

in Ball Control and Footwork, Passing

Use this fast paced training game to get your players moving quickly into supporting positions, linking play and combining to keep the ball just like they would in a match MORE