Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Passing to a teammate for beginners

Gates Passing (15 mins)

Organization: 30 x 30 area, 2 yard gates around grid, 6 players, 3 balls

Instructions:

Players (in pairs) start passing through gate. Progression Players move around field and try to complete as many passes as possible through the gate. Every pass through gate gets 1 point. Progression-Players are timed and it becomes a race to which group gets most points.

Coaching Points:

Passing Technique

Inside push pass (Outside) Right/Left foot, lock ankle, toe pointed at target, weight and accuracy of pass, head up to observe target, ball contact-middle of the ball, angle of approach

Jack in the Box (15 mins)

Organization: 8 players 4 white 4 blue, 2 pugg goals, 2 5x5 boxes, 8 balls

Instructions: Jack in the box

2 teams attempt to pass the ball into pugg net. Player 1 starts and passes the ball into the goal and then the next player can pass the ball into the net. Once all players on team have successfully passed the ball into the goal, the last player can run into box to try and pass the ball into the goal to win the game. Once all players on team free jack in box and he scores, game is over.

Coaching Points: Passing technique

Weight and accuracy of the pass

Inside of the foot

Ball contact, middle of the ball, middle of the foot

Plant foot next to the ball and pointed at target

Ankle locked

Progressions:

P-move passing distance back start 5 yards, move to 10 yards

4v1 --> 4v4 (15 mins)

Organisation:

Use a playing area approximately 20x30 metres, but this can be amended dependant upon the number of players or their ability.

In this game, I have shown 4 v 4, which is ideal with younger players.

If you have a goalkeeper, this is an added extra. You can do this game with or without a goalkeeper.

Game:

Essentially this is 4 v 1; 4 v 2; 4 v 3 then 4 v 4. The focus of the coaching is on the team in possession of the ball.

One team have all four players ready in their half of the pitch. They are given the ball by a coach. Once they receive the ball, one of the opposition team come out to try and win possession from them. This creates a 4 v 1. Play a normal game for 30 seconds or until either the team of 4 score or lose possession.

After this, it progresses into exactly the same game, but this time two defenders come out to try and win possession from the team of 4.

This continues until it becomes a 4 v 4, then the teams switch over.

Key points / progressions:

- Specify a number of passes must be made before the team of 4 can attempt to score

- Encourage good communication and getting into a position to receive the ball in space

- Accurate passing

- Weight of passing