Focus: Passing Drill
Number of Players: +8
Age: +U13
Level: Medium
Setup:
- Create a rectangular area. 5 – 10 meters wide and 10 – 20 meters long.
- Put two players in the middle of the area, and they should stand about 1 to 2 meters apart.
- Position one player at each cone of the rectangle. You’ll need at least two players waiting in line.
- In total, you should have at least 8 players involved in this drill.
Why Use This Drill?
Drawing inspiration from the coaching methods of Erik ten Hag, who has worked as Coach at Manchester United, this drill proves itself as a valuable addition to your passing training. It’s a straightforward yet highly effective exercise designed to enhance your players’ passing skills, refine their ball control, and improve the timing of their movements.
By incorporating this drill into your training sessions, you’re emulating techniques used by top-tier teams worldwide. This provides your players with a taste of the methods employed by some of the best in the game, making it a fantastic opportunity for development and skill refinement in a familiar training environment.
How It Works
1. Variation:
In this variation, the player who starts with the ball passes it to the nearest player in the center. Simultaneously, both players from the starting side begin moving toward the opposite cone. The ball is then passed to the second player, who passes it to the second player in the center. Finally, the first player regains possession of the ball and delivers a diagonal pass to the cone on the opposite side.
The players should focus on timing the movement, while keeping focus on first-time passing. If needed, the players can take one touch before passing.
2. Variation:
This variation works the same as the first variation. The only difference is that the two moving players now make an overlap and shift place.
The players should still focus on timing the movement, and on first-time passing. If needed, the players can take one touch before passing.
Other Key Points:
- Rotate players between being the center.
- Call out your teammate’s name when passing for better teamwork.
- The distance between cones can vary depending on your team’s skill level and age.
