Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing Session

Passing Skills (10 mins)

i. Session Organisation

• Players in pairs, 1 ball between 2
• Square 10x10
• Players passing to each other

ii. Age groups/Level of Ability

• N/A

iii. Size of Area required

• 10x10

iv. Number of Players - Min: Max:

• Min 2

v. Duration

vi. Equipment required

• Cones and Balls

vii. Structure of the Session

• Players partner up and stand facing their partner in line with the 2x closest cones (1)
• Players pass to their partner and after 2 passes each they move backwards to the next set of cones (2) and repeat
• When the reach the edge of the box (3) they do the reverse and move together
• Repeat and keep score, 1 point for each time they move to the edge and 1 point for moving back to the closest cones (1)

viii. Attacking points

• N/A

ix. Defending points

• N/A

x. Coaching points

• Keep the head up when passing, look at team mate
• Pass using the inside of the foot
• Control the power and distance of the pass
• 
  

xi. Progressions

• Progress to limit touches e.g. 1 touch
• Alternate foot between left or right only
• Extend out of the box to increase passing distance

xii. RPE

Passing Drill (15 mins)

i. Session Organisation

• Players divided into groups of 5
• Square 10x10 with 1 ball and 4 cones

ii. Age groups/Level of Ability

• N/A

iii. Size of Area required

• 10x10

iv. Number of Players - Min: Max:

• 5

v. Duration

• 10 mins

vi. Equipment required

• 4 cones and 1 ball

vii. Structure of the Session

• Players pass then follow their ball in a sequence
• Player 1 passes long to player 2
• Player 2 passes to either player 3 or 4
• Player 3 or 4 make a pass across the pitch to 3 or 4
• Player 3 or 4 pass to player 5 and the sequence starts again
• 
  

viii. Attacking points

ix. Defending points

• N/A

x. Coaching points

• Follow the pass quickly
• Decide early who you are passing to and get the head up and look at them
• Crisp pass with the inside of the foot

xi. Progressions

• Progress to 1 touch
• Use weaker foot only

xii. RPE

Passing Game (15 mins)

i. Session Organisation

• Split players into attacking and defending teams, this should be 6v2 or 8v3 initially.
• Set out two parallel lines of cones about 6 m apart
• Half of the attackers on either side of the cones
• Defenders in the middle of cones

ii. Age groups/Level of Ability

• N/A

iii. Size of Area required

• Use half of a pitch

iv. Number of Players - Min: Max:

• Min 7

v. Duration

• 15 mins

vi. Equipment required

• 1 ball and cones

vii. Structure of the Session

• Attacking team start with the ball, the objective is to pass to the other side without being intercepted
• Players must work the ball side to side to create an opening
• When the ball gets to the other side the attackers must make at least 1 pass on that side before attempting to play it back
• 1 point for a pass across, or 1 point for an interception
• If the ball is intercepted then it goes back to the attackers
• Switch defenders every couple of minutes

viii. Attacking points

• Move the ball across quickly, keep looking for opportunities as well as looking at the ball when receiving it
• Dummies are good in this game if the pass is strong enough

ix. Defending points

• 2v1 is always best but don't leave obvious gaps

x. Coaching points

• Crisp passes on the ground
• Keep moving to make space and provide options (at both ends)
• Be patient when looking for an option

xi. Progressions

• Vary the playing size
• 1 touch passes
• Vary the number of defenders in the middle

xii. RPE