Practice 2: When to pass

WHY USE IT

This practice builds on your players’ decision-making with regard to when to pass the ball, with an emphasis on playing forward.

Set-up

Mark out a suitably sized area appropriate to your players’ age and ability. Place an end zone at opposite ends. 

 

Divide your players into groups of six. Mark out a pitch for each group.

HOW TO play

Position a player in each end zone. These players will act as a server for one team and the target player for the other. 

 

Play 2v2 in the area between the two end zones. A server starts with the ball and passes it to the team attacking the opposite end. This team earns points by passing the ball to the target player at the opposite end. 

 

When this target player receives the ball, they serve it back to the other team, who attack in the opposite direction. 

 

Players can pass back to their server, and the server is allowed to pass straight through to the target player. 

 

Rotate the servers/target players every 1-2 minutes.

progressions & ADAPTATIONS

• Restrict the area the target player can move in.

• Prohibit the server from being able to pass to the opposite target player.

• Increase the challenge by prohibiting back passes to the server.

• Teams can score by dribbling the ball into the end zone. This adds a further decision of when to dribble and when to pass.

• Add a mini goal behind the target player. The target player can shoot once they receive the ball.

• The in-possession team, after passing to their target player, must receive a pass back before they can score in the mini goal positioned behind their target player.

COACHING POINTS

Encourage players to:

• Receive on the half-turn, so they can assess their surroundings.

• Scan to see the positioning of their team-mate.

• Get close to the fire without getting burned.

• Communicate with your pass; this should tell the receiver what to do – for example, a pass played slightly in front of them encourages them to play forward.

• Play forward as soon as possible.