Introduction

The objective of general passing is to move the ball among teammates in order to keep it away from opponents and, ultimately, to put the ball in a position for a shot on goal. For the Instructional Soccer Program, the youngest players are usually introduced to passing using the inside of the foot to push the ball to a standing partner. The use of the instep drive is then added to allow for passing greater distances. The next step in the passing progression is to introduce choice of teammates to pass to and player movement.

Demonstration

For the introduction to passing choices, the coach sets up a triangle of the coach and two players with an assistant (parent) in the middle. The coach has a ball. As the assistant moves toward one or the other player, the coach demonstrates passing the ball to the “open” teammate.

For the introduction to movement, the coach sets up two cones about ten yards apart and then shows how an assistant will slowly move from one cone to the other, off-set from the cone from which the assistant starts, the coach, with ball, then demonstrates how a pass toward the second cones “leads” the assistant (player/teammate) so that the ball and the

player will meet at the same time and place.

Drills

(Movement)

• Pairs with ball passing back and forth (minimum two-touch; i.e., trap/pass or trap/set-up/pass or trap/dribble/pass), while moving around.
• Same as above, in groups of three players.
• Same as triangle demonstration with a parent “defender” who does not take the ball away.
• Same as above with a player “defender” who does not take the ball away. (Rotate defenders.)
• Same as above with a player “defender” who is allowed to try to take the ball away. (Rotate defenders.)
• 4 v 1 “keep-away” in a spacious grid.
• 4 players in a grid, two-touch passing, calling out the name of the intended receiver before passing the ball.

(Leading)

• Same as the demonstration, but with players only (static passer).
• Same as above, but change angles.
• Same as above with movement on the part of the passer.

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW TO TEACH THIS SKILL, SEE:  Introduction To Passing