Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing Drill With Mixed Legnth Passes

Simple Passing Pattern

Key Factors

• Player A passes to player B, who lays it back to player A
• Player A then switches to player C
• Player C then passes to player D, who lays it back to player C
• Player C then switches it back to the start position (player A)
• All players move round clockwise when they have passed (A to D, D to C, C to B, B to A)

Organisation

• 2 starting on each cone is optimum, but 3 can also be used.
• Depending on the level of player you can layer in the different patterns, starting with clockwise passing, then introducing a switch, then introducing the lay off.

Progressions

• Introduce a second ball, starting from each corner to increase the intensity of the session
• Increase the size of the square to challenge the distance the players can pass it
• One touch only

•  Regular Mechanics: Look at target, Eye on ball, Angle of approach, Non-kicking foot alongside ball in a comfortable position, Strike Centre of ball with inside of the foot, Firm ankle, Follow through towards target.
• With longer passes do we need to alter technique? Can we loft the pass by striking the bottom of the ball? If the players are struggling with legnth should they switch to using laces to get the correct distance?
• Introduction of team mate considerations, where do they want the pass? e.g. when its being layed back to the them they want it slightly in front so they don't have to break stride.