Soccer How-Tos Passing Games

Basic Passing

/ Piggy in the Middle
o  Static pairs at X yards separation. Count “clean” passes in 60 seconds. Inside/outside foot, vary distances, chip shots, pass through cones…
o  Passing with movement – partners
o  Moving Up the field or Moving Across the field
o  Player X passes to player O. O controls the ball and leaves it
o  Player O backpedals away 7-10 yds while Player X funs to the ball
o  Continue to touchline and reverse roles back across the field
X ------> O
X------> O
X------> O / S1 <------> X <------> S2
o  Groups of 3 –> 2 Servers and 1 in the middle
o  Both Servers have a ball, All 3 in a line 10-15 yds. spacing
o  Player X faces S1 and receives a pass, stops ball and returns pass to S1
o  X quickly turns to face S2 and receive a pass from S2
o  Repeat for several sets, rotate positions
o  As passing and control improves, serves from S1 and S2 can be made to the side of X
As a coach, observe the quality of the passes (especially from X) and encourage X to constantly move to the ball.
Quality of pass = accuracy, pace or speed of the pass
Puts pressure on the passer – more game related.
Works for Throw-ins too!
Passing with Defender / Passing with Movement - Server
o  Four players – 3 attackers (A, B, C) and one defender (D)
o  1st step – Defender applies pressure, but does NOT steal or tackle
(1) C (2) C (3) C
D æ ä
B æ D A·ä D
A B· B

o  B faces A, defender D stands behind B and moves with her (shadow)
o  B moves quickly at a 45° angle toward A (try to left and to right)
o  A pass to B; B returns a pass to A who has run into the free space.
o  A now has clear path to forward ball to C. Drill continues with C -> B -> A
o  2nd Step – Defender is free to steal the ball
o  3rd Step – Same drill to Goal / o  Passing with movement – solo
o  Player (X) runs around a single cone 10-15 yards from start
o  When rounding cone, player is served a pass by S
o  Player returns pass with side of foot – on the run after one control tap
o  Passing to Goal, from 20 yards out – catch on run, control, shoot

Drills_Ball_Control.doc August 2004 Page 1 of 1