Football: Passing through the channel

Working on playing a quick pass to the deepest player on your team. Using the route one pass to quickly outnumber the opposition's defence.

After receiving the hard pass from the midfield player (red 3) the players should try to shake off the defender before then deciding to either play the pass to one of their team-mates or going it alone.

Finish the drill with an attempt at goal.

3 players stand around 3 metres apart from one another with one ball between them.

They can pass in either direction and should start with two touch football, using strong side footed passes.

After a few minutes you can introduce a one touch rule to encourage players to think about where they are going to pass before they even receive the ball.

Players number themselves from one-eight (or as many numbers as there are players).

Players must then pass in numerical order.

Although they can attempt to memorise the passing order it's far more beneficial if the players call out and communicate to one another.

So once player two has the ball, player 3 should be calling the receive the pass.

Set up a triangle as shown.

4 players on the outside, 2 on 1 cone and 1 on each of the other 2 cones. 1 ball between the group.

The ball is with the 1st player in the cone with 2. A 1,2 is played with the next player in the triangle and then a long pass is made to the next player on.

The sequence is repeated at each point of the triangle and thus the pattern of passing is alternative short and long passes around the triangle.

Players move 1 cone on after completing the long pass.