Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U8 Passing Session

Warmup

Passing Gates

Simple drill to improve passing and teamwork!

Organization:

Split team into 2 groups (yellow & blue or whichever colors you have). All players pair up with a player in the opposite group. One ball per pair. Set up gates (coned goals) around your field.

How to Play:

Game starts with every yellow player having a ball. The blue player runs to a gate, yellow player follows. Yellow passes to blue in between the gate. On the release, yellow runs to a new gate, game continues.

Coaching Points:

Proper technique of passing - plant foot next to ball & pointing at target (teammate), ankle locked, pass with inside part of foot, follow through

Variations:

Pass ball twice at each gate (player that starts with ball is player dribbling from gate to gate)

Receive and pass with same foot | Receive across boy and pass with opposite foot

Final Game

2 v 1

Great way to end a practice with game-like situations that encourage passing.

Organization:

Team divides into 2 groups. Coach serves balls to the attacking team (offense). Offense starts up top. Defenders start near the goal.

How to Play:

Once ball is played onto field, 2 attacking players and 1 defender plays 2v1 to goal. This is a rapid fire continuous game. Once a goal is scored, defender gains possession, or ball goes out of bounds; next game begins.

Coaching Points:

Complete accurate passes

Receive the ball effectively under pressure

Penetrate by dribbling or passing