Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Long Ground Passing Drills

1-2 Pass Into Long Lofted Pass (15 mins)

Play 1-2 pass then take an touch to open out and play a lofted long pass.

Look to pass into the square of cones set up as the target, look for it to land in this.

Rotate sides to get you used to play and taking touches on both sides. 

Coaching Points: 

• Focus on a good 1-2 pass with the wall that can allow a good first touch so you can set the ball up to best help with your lofted pass. 
• Don't rush the lofted pass, make sure that you are set and ready to play the pass. 
• Also make sure you don't approach the ball to fast, look to have a controlled speed run up. 
• Make sure to focus on clean contact on the lofted pass, look for good technique and control instead of power. If the target square is to far away to achieve this, move it closer. 
• Use the coaching points from the last drill to help with technique.

Questions to Ask Yourself: 

• Is my first touch allowing the ball to be set up in the best spot? If no why? (Make sure that your using the right technique and touch for this, i recommend the open hip one. Just look to guide the ball into the right spot, so make sure you have a relaxed leg on contact. The touch out should be far enough so you can have a small run up before you play the pass)
• Is my pass staying along the ground? If no why? (Make sure that your not leaning back to much when making contact with the ball to help keep it along the ground. Also check that your contact on the ball is through the middle of the ball)
• Does the pass have back spin on it? If no why? (Make sure that your plant foot isn't getting to close to the ball, it should be slightly further away then when your playing a short ground pass. Also check what part of your foot you are striking the ball with, make sure it is with the laces and not the inside of the foot like when you play a short ground pass. Lastly make sure that your approach to the ball isn't right behind the ball, be slightly to the side of it)
• How can i make this more game realistic? (Add a player in to either play the bounce pass with or to play the lofted pass with. Make sure that your checking your shoulder before receiving the ball to know where the option is. If you feel you are executing this drill well have the player receiving the ball run onto it to help simulate playing a pass into a player to run on to) 

Short to Long Passing Drill (15 mins)

Start by playing a 1-2 into the wall then taking a touch to turn and playing into the close target with a ground pass.

Move to the next ball and play a 1-2 bounce pass then taking a touch to turn and playing a lofted pass into the target square. 

Rotate sides to use both feet to take touches with, also look to play the short pass with your left foot when the drill allows for it. 

Add a player in to play the bounce passes with or as a target to hit with the long pass. 

Coaching Points: 

• When playing the bounce pass make sure you attack the ball to get into this habit. 
• Make sure when you're passing the ball into the short target you do so at match pace. 
• When playing the next ball look to do this first time to work on that skill as well, make sure to keep this pass along the ground so its easy to control.
• Look to focus on control and technique over power, move squares closer if you need to so you can achieve this. 
• Use the coaching points from the previous drills to help with technique. 

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• Is my first touch allowing me to have the ball in the best position to play a pass? If no why? (Make sure you have a relaxed leg and you are looking to guide the ball towards the target. Also check that you are taking the touch with the right spot on your foot and on the ball. Check that you are using the right technique and type of touch as well, for example i would use the open hip touch to get you into the best position to touch and pass with 2 touches)
• Am i hitting the target with my short pass? If no why? (Check that your hips are inline with the target. Also use your plant foot to help with aim, is it towards the target. Focus on hitting this pass at speed but still controllable for if you were passing to a player)
• Is my lofted pass getting height on it? If no why? (Make sure that your leaning slightly back when making contact with the ball to help with getting the ball into the air. Also check that your contact on the ball is just below the middle of the ball) 
• Does the lofted pass have back spin on it? If no why? (Make sure that your plant foot isn't getting to close to the ball, it should be slightly further away then when your playing a short ground pass. Also check what part of your foot you are striking the ball with, make sure it is with the laces and not the inside of the foot like when you play a short ground pass. Lastly make sure that your approach to the ball isn't right behind the ball, be slightly to the side of it)
• How can i make this more game realistic? (Add a player in to play the bounce passes with. Also make sure you are checking your shoulders before receiving to improve this good habit. You could also add in a player to play the lofted pass to. They can then run onto the ball to simulate you playing a through ball)