Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Star Pattern Passsing

Passing & Finishing

Organization: 5 cones in a star shape alignment.They are placed as equally as possible on the cones. 2 balls to start. Once players have the hang of it, as many balls as they can handle.

Moreplayers at point A to start. The smaller the star, the higher the intensity. 12-15 players works perfectly.

A goal, a GK and a passive defender are now added.

Instructions: Start at point A, pass the ball in the pattern and follow your pass. When the ball reaches the top of the Star, this player takes a touch out, dribbles towards goal, feints around the passive defender and shoots.

The rotation is now that the GK joins line A. The Defender becomes the GK and the Shooter becomes the Defender.

If there are not enough players then the shooter just collects his ball and goes back to point A again.

Coaching Points:

1) Passes must be accurate and weighted correctly.

2) Communication through jestures, vocal and eye contact cues where to play the ball.

3) Passes should build in tempo and become very hard and fast passes.

4) First touch is key, especially when the pace of the passes increase. First touch should set you up for the next pass. Think about the direction and which foot you want to play the next pass with.

5) First touch is vital to set the player up for their dribble and prevent delay. Take first touch in direction of travel.

6) Be positive when taking on defender. Take him on one side and get first-time-shot off.

Progressions:

Defender becomes active (rotation remains the same).

More balls added if players can handle it and there are appropriate numbers.

Start at position B to reverse the pattern and get the players to try and use either foot.