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Players that will not pass

I have 3 players at under 14 level, that seem to think running with the ball and not passing is the best way forward, could anybody suggest how I might get round this.

Football CoachCoach

6 answers

ANSWERS

Ian MarshCoach, England

Hi Nick,

How about a game of two/three touch football? Everytime a player exceeds this amount of touches award a free kick to the other team.
Another option would be to set a minimum pass limit before a team is allowed to score - so team must have completed 15 passes before being allowed to shoot.

This is a short term solution though - with regards changing their habits more permanently I would suggest you discuss with your players how they think the best sides keep possession and create chances (think of the top Bundesliga and Liga sides) - chances are they know why these sides are great in possession, as they are strong at pass and move football.

Perhaps a session working on overlaps would encourage players to use their team-mates more when in possession.

Hope these ideas help - keen to hear other coach's suggestions!

Football CoachCoach

over laps are a great way of teaching a player to pass,plus when they overlap wide it gives the passer the incentive to go in-side for the return.

Football CoachCoach

GREAT LESSON, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY GIRLS ,THANKS FOR SHARING.

Football CoachCoach

How about during a practice game, you have certain nominated players who cannot score and only allowed to pass. This can be done by giving them different colour bibs or just name them. Just make it for 5 mins at a time and rotate around the team. Found it quite effective with the 2 or 3 players i have trouble with.

Lee MyersCoach, England

Play netball, first with the hands as normal, progressing to feet. The player with the ball obviously cannot move so has to pass, his team mates have to make space for him to pass in to. Opposition players must close them down.

I also start all of my practice matches with 10 - 15 mins of three touch too.

Colin ClarsonCoach, Australia

I had a player in U13 boys who was convinced he could run with the ball faster than the ball would move if he passed it... I set up a line of cones , gave him a 10 metre head start and ran through with me passinng the ball three times, every time he finished 10 metres short of the mark... he got the message