Losing A Defender

Manchester United Passing

Dimensions: 10 x 10 Yard square, 3 players occupy 3 of the 4 cones leaving one cone free. One player occupies the middle of the 4 cone square. Two players on the outside have a soccer ball each.

How to: One player outside passes the ball into the player in the middle. The player in the middle must find the player without a ball and pass off to them. The player who passed the ball must move to the available free cone. The other player with the ball then passes into the middle player and moves to the free cone. The player in the middle passes off to the free player.

Coaching Points: Stay alert and on your toes ready to receive a pass, be ready to move to a new position but try to predict the path of the next path, be careful not to interrupt play by running where the pass will be played.

Player in the middle must work hard to check their shoulders and remain positive when receiving the ball.

Remember that the pass position and open player position will be constantly changing; work hard to stay alert to changing surroundings as you should do in a
game.

Team Play Passing

Dimensions: 15 x 15 Yard Square. There are 4 Players per team so 8 per area but this is a guideline. Create additional areas to accommodate more players.

How to: Two of the players stand outside of the square on opposite sides, the two remaining players are in the middle of the square. The task is to move the soccer ball into the middle of the area, make two passes inside the square and make a pass off to the player on the other side. Each successful move from one side to the other scores a point.

Coaching Points: This activity is designed to develop first touch, passing angles and working together to advance up the field. Stress the importance of receiving the ball with the back foot so you are on the half turn and able to see more of the field.

The supporting player in the middle must move to a position which is a benefit to you on the ball. Encourage your players to move and create angles.

Look after your team mate by playing the right pass. Weight, timing and accuracy are crucial to quick and effective point scoring

Progressions: Set up another team inside the area with two target players on the free sides of the square. Both teams must now play through each other in a competition to score points. Neither team can deliberately touch the other teams’ ball.

Players must now use available space, move quicker and create better passing angles. Their range of passing will now be tested. Challenge players to drop and support before playing a through pass into space for their team mate. Creativity is key.

Tiki Taka

Dimensions: 20 x 20 yard square with a cone in each corner, place a 3x3 cone square in the middle of the larger square. A player must occupy each cone.

How to: A player on the outside starts with a ball and makes a pass moving anti clockwise to the player in the middle that is furthest away from the player with the ball. The player in the middle receiving the ball makes a lay off pass with their first touch to the player next to them in the middle. This player then makes a long pass to the player in the next corner still moving anti clockwise. Each player must follow their pass to take up the position of the player they just passed to.

Coaching Points: Weight of the pass- Players must look to make quick, simple passes to set their team mate up to play the ball first time. Focus on technique. Don’t try to overcomplicate the drill. Short, simple, well played passes are all that is required to succeed here. You will need to the basics properly.

Emphasize that this is a team exercise. Focus solely on quality of your pass and where you are moving to perform well as part of the team.

Regressions: Start with two touch passing until the players understand the drill.