Overlap Diamond

Dimensions: Two cones 15 Yards apart with players separated evenly by either cone facing each other. Two more cones should be placed half way between the two cones 5 yards apart to create a diamond. Two players should stand by a cone each, these players are Midfielders for this drill.

How to: A player starts with the ball at one end and passes into a midfielder and continues their run towards the other side around the back of the player that they first pass to. The midfielder with the ball makes a square pass to his team mate across, the team mate receiving the ball then lays the ball into the path of the running player who passes/dribbles the ball to the other side. The midfielders switch places and the pattern repeats.
Rotate midfielders after a few minutes.

Coaching Points: Passes must be accurate. Remember to weight the pass correctly if you are playing the through ball to the running player.
Timing of the overlapping run is very important.

Advanced Passing Diamond

Dimensions: Set up an 8 x 10 yard rectangle with a cone set away from either end line to create a diamond shape. A player occupies each end of the triangle with two players standing opposite each other on a side line. Keep a supply of balls nearby to keep the activity flowing.

How to: A player on a side line starts with a ball and passes into a player on the end of the diamond. Once the player on the end receives the ball the player opposite the starting player makes a 3rd man run to take the place of the player on the end of the diamond with the ball. The player on the end of the diamond makes a one-two with the starting player making passes around the run of the third man, the player on the end of the diamond receives the return pass where the third man started and starts the sequence over again.

Coaching Points: Make simple passes, focus on your technique and allow the ball to do the work. Watch the run of the third man and try to bypass them smoothly using a simple give and go.

Make one touch passes if the pass is good enough but don’t be afraid to take a touch to control the ball. Communicate and move quickly to receive a ball and support team mates. Play at game speed after practicing a few times

Combination Finishing Reverse Pass

Dimensions: Using a full half of a field place 5 cones like a 5 on a dice, distance between each cone is approximately 15 yards (adjust the area to suit the age and ability of your players) a Player occupies each cone with players waiting on the two cones furthest from goal with a supply of soccer balls.

How to: Player furthest from goal makes a pass into the player in the middle. The player in the middle in this scenario isn’t able to turn and make a positive run because the defender is too close, so they pass back to the starting player. At this point the starting player passes down the line to the player directly in front of them. The player in the middle drops off the defender and moves in a position to receive a pass facing the goal now. The player in possession passes to the free middle player, when the player receives the ball in the middle they make a disguised reverse pass to the other forward player who takes a shot on goal, each player moves to assume the next position and play starts again from the other start line.

Coaching Points: Treat cones like they are defenders, move away to create space when receiving the ball. Take a positive first touch. When running onto the through pass remember to arc your run to stay onside. Straight runs to meet a diagonal pass or a diagonal run to meet a straight pass. The middle player needs to drop deep to lose their marker and open up the field, dropping short to receive the pass while still making enough of an angle to play the reverse pass.

Positive Passing Play Full

Dimensions: 30 x 30 (Adjust the dimensions to suit player ability) Split players into two teams, this drill can accommodate more players. Have a cone representing each team placed in diagonally opposite corners. Place a 5x5 Yard square in the middle of the area.

How to: Start a player from each team in the middle square with the remaining players split evenly in their opposite corners with a pile of soccer balls close by each team so the drill can start again quickly is a pass is wayward.

The player in the middle moves outside of the square to receive a pass from their team mate. The team mate who passed the ball then makes a run to the square in the middle. The player with the ball makes a pass back into the player now in the middle and receives a pass back to run onto, this player then passes to their team mate at the other end and follows their pass to that cone. The pattern starts again from the opposite end.

Coaching Points: Show for the pass, imagine the middle square is occupied by a defender; by stepping out to the side you lose your marker whilst also opening your body to the field. You can now see up and downfield where as before, you were facing your 'own goal' and you were closed off to opportunity.

Take a positive first touch, by receiving the ball on your back foot you allow yourself the chance to move up the field into space if the opportunity is there.

Make good quality passes. A sharp 1-2 with the player now in the middle will set you off in the direction you want to move in, let the passes do the work here.

Focus on the basics. Simple passing and moving is all that is required here. Remember both teams will be playing through each other, try to look for space and move away from obstacles.

Regressions: Try having one team occupy an area to begin with so they can get the basics right. Adding another team to play through will increase the difficulty by making the area crowded. Increase the size if necessary.