Contact Help center
Football Football
HOME Football SEARCH

Football: passing

passing DRILLS
View All

1, 2, 3 Pass and Move

There are two triangles in this drill, both using the same top point player (player 5). Players in the top triangle pass in an anti-clockwise direction and players in the lower triangle pass in a clock-wise direction. Both pairs of players must use the middle player as their third passing option.

Passing and Receiving

1v1 to Goal

Organise the players into groups of 3, with 1 goalkeeper and 2 outfield players. Player 1 and player 2 stand or sit facing away from goal. The goalkeeper then throws the ball out and player 1 and player 2 play the ball back to the goal, passing between them before shooting.

1 v 1 skills

Goals, Goals, Goals 3

Three players line up facing each other. Player 1 plays the ball into player two's feet. They meet the ball and turn before playing a wall pass with player 3, and once the ball has returned, player 2 then shoots first time.

1 v 1 skills

Minefield Passing

In both the wide channels put one defender and two attackers. Both attackers in the same rectangle must touch the ball before trying to pass to the other attackers. However the ball is not allowed to touch the floor in the minefield area (middle box). If the pass doesn't find its intended recipient because it falls short or is intercepted the player who passed the ball swaps over with the defender in their area.

Possession

One Touch Passing

Players are 10 metres apart facing each other.Player 1 starts with the ball.Player 1 rolls the ball to player 2 who passes the ball back with instep using 1 touch.After 10 repetitions swap roles.

Passing and Receiving

Only Square Passes

Set up a minimum of 4 pairs of cones in a straight line and get players into pairs, with a player from each pair stood behind the starting cones. In this pairs passing exercise players are only allowed to use straight passes (no diagonal balls). The first pass is played from player 1 (p1) to player 2 (p2). P1 then runs diagonally across the grid to receive the return pass from p2. After passing the ball to p1, p2 must also run to the cone diagonally opposite to receive the next pass. The drill continues in this way until players reach the final cone.

Passing and Receiving

Pass, up and over!

Players work inside a 10 meter long grid with one ball divided into three. The players on the outside pass the ball into the middle player who passes the ball straight back. When the outside players receives the return ball they play it first time, passing a lofted pass over the top of the middle player to the opposite outside player who controls the ball and then repeats the drill from the other side.

Passing and Receiving

Passing Triangle

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.

Passing and Receiving

Square Ball 2

Three players stand behind 1 corner of the grid each. The ball is played to a player on one of the cones. The ball cannot be passed diagonally. The spare player must move to give the ball carrier a second passing option.

Passing and Receiving

Triangle Pass and Move

Players stand in a triangle formation, with an extra man stood behind the player on the ball. Players pass in a clockwise direction, following their pass.

Passing and Receiving

3 man weave Passing and Receiv...

3 players run down the pitch, passing and interchanging to finish with a shot at goal. Player in the middle starts with the ball. They pass the ball to one of the outside players and overlaps around them. The second player passes the ball to the player on the other side and overlaps around them. Each player receives the ball from the same player every time and they should overlap around the player they pass to. 

General

Box Passing Passing and Receiv...

Players must use their first touch to play the ball either to the left or the right of their square. As soon as they have done this they must then aim to pass the ball through the middle grid and into their partner's square. Their partner must then use their first touch to guide the ball slightly out of their own grid to play the return pass back.

General

Left To Right pass Passing and...

Using a square 5x5m, players in pairs run with the ball along one side and pass the ball from left to right by pulling the ball back and moving their feet around the ball to pass. Get players to use both their weaker and stronger feet to pass.

General

Football: Drive Passing in pai...

Players work in pairs and pass over an initial distance of the width of the penalty area (smaller depending on age of players).The aim here is for players to keep the ball on the ground and get it to their partner as quickly as possible using a driven pass.

General

Hit the cone Passing and Recei...

Player 1 passes the ball wide of the cone to player 2. Player 2 has to try and play the ball onto the cone with their 1st touch

General

The Diagonal Pass Passing and ...

Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair. The first player makes a square pass across the grid to their partner before running onto the cone ahead.Their partner then plays a pass diagonally across the grid back to their partner who is looking to run onto the ball. The player who started the drill then plays square across the grid again to their partner running onto the ball.The players work their way up to the top of the grid.

General

Square Drill Passing and Recei...

The first player passes the ball along the outside of the square, then sprints to the opposite corner. He can sell the mannequin a dummy on the way past or touch it and retreat two yards, before playing the foot and setting off on the sprint. The player who receives the pass takes a touch then passes the ball on and does the same.

General

Football: Keep your shape - Sh...

Players pass the ball to each other while keeping shape and moving along the pitch from one side to the other and back.

General

Pass, up and over! Passing and...

Players work inside a 10 meter long grid with one ball divided into three. The players on the outside pass the ball into the middle player who passes the ball straight back. When the outside players receives the return ball they play it first time, passing a lofted pass over the top of the middle player to the opposite outside player who controls the ball and then repeats the drill from the other side.

General

Unopposed control Passing and ...

Objective: To successfully use different surfaces to control the ball in an unopposed practice.Detail:Mark out a 20 x 20 area.Split the players into pairs.Players then spread around the outside of the area with their partner on the inside.To begin, players are stationary and play two touch by controlling the ball before passing back.Players remain stationary whilst working on control and aerial control (chest, thigh, head).Get in line with the ball.Select an appropriate controlling surface.Show surface to control the ball.Withdraw surface to reduce impact.Angle of body to turn.

General

3 v 1 long pass Passing and Re...

6 players work in an area approximately 30 meters wide, divided in two with a third boxed area at one end. Red team play a 3 v 1 inside the first area but need to look for early deep ball to blue (3) in smaller coned area. The Blue team has also got a player (2) in the centre zone this player can not enter the area where the reds are keeping possession.

General

Long ball relay Passing and Re...

Passing pattern: The ball starts with the player near the corner flag who passes up the line to the next player. the next player must them play a long ball (lofted or driven) the opposite corner player. That player must then control the ball and then pass to the center player who then dribbles back to the start point.

General

Football: Static passing throu...

Player get into groups of 3 with one ball. two players pass to each other through the legs of the 3 player in the middle who stands feet apart facing the player with the ball. Swap after each minute. Repeat practice using both feet.

General

Colour Passing - Heads up Pass...

Set up different coloured gates around the grid area - the more colours the better. Players are working in pairs, one player dribbling and the other moving to be ready to receive the pass. The coach will call out a colour for the players to respond to (in the animation the colour is 'red'). Depending on what colour the coach has called out the players must move to find an unoccupied gate to pass the ball through. Once the players have passed the ball through the cones they swap roles (dribbler and runner).

General

Football: Triangle Pass and Mo...

Players stand in a triangle formation, with an extra man stood behind the player on the ball. Players pass in a clockwise direction, following their pass.

General

Passing and Finishing Passing ...

Position 5 Attackers as shown in the diagram, with Player 4 being marked by a Defender.Pass 1 > 3 > 2 > 4 > 5, with 5 running round from behind 4 to collect the pass.As ball is travelling from 3 to 4 then 5 makes the run. It is key that he doesn't go too early. Set this up on the left and the right, You can play both sides, with Player 1 passing alternately to the left and then right. Form a line of players ready on the centre circle ready to make it a continuous drill.Each Player moves to the starting position of the Player they just passed to, except 5 who becomes the Defender and the Defender who joins the line of 1s.

General

Beat the Runner Passing and Re...

Group in pairs. One ball between the pair. Repeat in 5 other areas for a total of 12 players.Player 2 passes the ball across the area to player 1. Player 2 then runs immediately around the cone and back to his starting position. Player 1 must control the ball, then pass it back using the inside of his foot, attempting to pass the ball over the far end line before player 2 gets back into position. A goal is scored if the ball goes over the end line travelling along the ground. Repeat and rotate.

General

Passing by Numbers Passing and...

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.

General

Pass Around The Corner Passing...

Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m.Have a few players at each corner.A Player (1) from one corner runs clockwise around the square with a ball; halfway to the next corner they pass to the Player (2) at this corner. Player 2 passes immediately back to the Player 1 and starts running clockwise to the next corner.Player 1 passes the ball on to the Player (3) at the corner in front of Player 2. Player 3 then passes to Player 2 and starts running.Player 2 passes to Player 4, who passes to Player 3 who is running towards them. Play moves clockwise, allowing each player to have a few turns.Then play anti-clockwise.

General

Piggy in the Middle Passing an...

2 players are placed on the outside of the grid and 2 players on the inside. The players on the inside of the grid are the defenders but are not allowed to come out of the grid. The 2 outside players just have to keep possession by playing lofted passes over the 2 middle players.

General

Square Ball 2 Passing and Rece...

Three players stand behind 1 corner of the grid each. The ball is played to a player on one of the cones. <br />The ball cannot be passed diagonally. The spare player must move to give the ball carrier a second passing option.

General

Passes in 3s - middle man move...

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the disatance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players).1 player on each cone and 1 player in the middle, 1 ball between the 3.Play starts with 1 end player playing a 1,2 with the middle player and then playing a pass long to the other end player.Middle player should move towards the end player he passes to and then quickly accelerate with the pass on that player to get to a new position to repeat the sequence with the other end player.

General

Reverse Pass Passing and Recei...

Players are in pairs. <BR>Player 2 starts with the ball, they dribble the ball in a diagonal line to the opposite cone. <BR>Player 1 make a diagonal run towards the opposite cone. <BR>As the player with the ball reaches the cone they play a reverse ball to their partner.

General

Playing up the line Passing an...

Player 1 plays the ball up the line into space. Player 2 receives the ball on the move and takes a touch. <br />Player 2 then passes the ball up the line again into space to players 3.

General

Target Passing - Long Balls Pa...

How accurate are your players long passes? This fun drill lets you find out. Like on an archery board have different target zones - a central 'bull's eye' and then two outer targets. From one side of the pitch to the other players take it in turns to have 4 consecutive cross-field passes, all the time trying to get the ball to land inside the 'bull's eye'.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
passing DRILL CATEGORIES
View All
Conditioned games Drills
Passing and Receiving Drills
Possession Drills
Conditioned games Drills
Passing and Receiving Drills
Possession Drills
passing SESSIONS
View All

Playing through the thirds

The modern style of football encourages teams to get the ball down and pass into the guts of the pressing team to break the lines and move the ball up the field through each third.

Introducing the Overlap - Overlapping Attack!

Create the extra man with the attacking overlap - a fluid and attacking style of passing football for all players - defence, midfield or strikers

Using width when attacking

Stretch your opposition and drag defenders out of position with this wide attacking session, complete with two great conditioned games!

Pre-Season - Running and Dribbling

Get their legs moving and find out how your players perform when fatigue hits them with this pre-season football-fitness session!

Plan B defending - On the edge of your Box!

Danger zone defending - create defending pressure, in and around your 18 yard box, to test your how your defenders cope!

Team Possession Confidence

This simple all-ages plan is designed to improve your players' on the ball confidence and team communication.

Using the overlap to create goal scoring opportunities

Does your attack run out of momentum due to a lack of support from other players? If so practice the overlap to create more scoring opportunities.

Improving body positioning and shaping of runs

Keep the attacking fire burning and get your players opening up their body, thinking about their first touch and angling their runs up field

Exploiting space in midfield

Develop intelligent midfielders to be able to recognise space and exploit it with good vision and technique to make a pass in the middle of the park.

Making the Pass Playable

Take things back to basics and nail down the simple skills to play with fluidity. Pass, dribble and receive with a quality with this session that sharpens your players basics.

Developing Quick Play

Play with a tempo that the opposition can?t handle. Discover combinations on the field to get the ball moving quickly and cut open defences.

Pre-Season Introduction: Running and Ball Work

Use this session during the pre and early season period to welcome your players back and get them working on their fitness with a ball at their feet!

Developing Attacking Play - Counter Attacks and 1v1 Confidence

We all know that goals win games in football, so in just 6 drills this easy to use session improves your team's 1v1 confidence, attacking passing and counter-attacking ability

Change the Point of Attack

Move the opposition's defence and practice passing into space with this switching session - working on quick and accurate passes.

Attacking When Opposition Is In & Out Of Balance

To develop players understanding, knowledge and application around attacking principles when the opposition are either in or out of balance.

Team Shape In Possession ? Attacking Principles

Introduce the technical and tactical attacking principles of team shape when in possession - develop players understanding and application around topic.
passing ANSWERS
View All

Pass and move for under 11s football team

i run a under 11s football team and they really need to work on pass and move do u know any good drills that will be able to help there young boys and girls out....many thanks gary ives - submitted via email

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

Do you have a basic warm up routine for primary PE?

Do you have a basic warm up routine for primary PE lessons?

Archived User Coach

hello ive got a under 10s team im trying to make them?

hello ive got a under 10s team im trying to make them pass and move and get the player who has the ball support we are playing seven a side at the moment i play 3-2-1

gavin prince Coach, England

Hi Guys, Looking To Improve on Passing, Limited Time...?

Hi Guys, Looking To Improve on Passing, Limited Time... Anyone got any session Plans they could send over? Reagrds

Archived User Coach

What is the best pre-game warm up routine for U9 boys?

What is the best warm up routine for U9 boys before a game? Thanks Coach Heath

Archived User Coach

Drill suggestions for my 11 a side team?

my team is great team, but we need drills on passing, keeping the ball and shooting!

Archived User Coach

How do I stop my team bunching around the ball and passing backwards?

my players bunch round the ball so they have no pass options and at kick off's often go backwards rather than getting the ball forward..can you help

Archived User Coach

A decent pre-match warm up routine for U12s?

Hi, can anyone suggest an effective warm up routine / drill for an under 12's side before a match?

Steve ODonoghue Coach, England

what passing drills to use on player with ACL rupture

I have a player recovering from ACL rupture and would some advice on what passing drill to introduce him to

Archived User Coach

Beating a high press from a goal kick 9 aside football

Could anybody provide me with any drills to beat a high press from the opposition when we are taking a goal kick, during a under 11 9 aside game. The team is a developing side with very mixed abilities. Our goalies cannot kick the ball far which leads us to lose possession around the 18 yard box.Any ideas would be much appreciated?

r webster Coach, England

Passing

Hi, I'm a 16 year old hoping to get into coaching in the future, I currently coach an u8s grassroots team, I'd like to know how I could stop all of them running after the ball and teach them to stay in their positions, while also passing the ball across and making more room and options. Am I asking too much from 8 year olds?

Gwion Davies Coach, Wales

training alone

how can i practice my crossing, passing, dribbling and shooting as a winger

cooper Coach, Australia

, U13's Girls Pass and Movehow do you bring spatial awareness into play so the players are not just passing to whoever they see, at times putting the reciving player in a no win position

U13's Girls Pass and Movehow do you bring spatial awareness into play so the players are not just passing to whoever they see, at times putting the receiving player in a no-win position

Steven Good Coach, Australia

passing with weak foot

how to become stronger

maddison Coach, England

ball control

what drills would I do to improve my ball control

marcus cross Coach, England

Passing

can I have some passing drills?

Hayden Coach, England

Need help with training my U9s...

Hi All, Need help with training my U9s with passing during the game. I have one player (centre mid) that knows how to pass at the right time during the game. The rest of my team, meaning LM and RM and striker put their head down and just run with the ball. What can i use during training to make them think about passing during a game. Thanks in advance

Archived User Coach

Players that will not pass | S...

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.

Archived User Coach
passing COMMUNITY DRILLS
View All

3 Player L Passing Progression

BallersOnly Game1

Short Pass & Move

triangle passing pattern

Looped Passing-Passing Drill 2

Passing Drill 1

Turn-Passing Drill 3

Autosave 26047331

Passing Inside and Out

Autosave 68049092

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ football drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_football
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
5 Ways to Kickstart 2025 with Sportplan

5 Ways to Kickstart 2025 with Sportplan

Here are the 5 ways that you can kickstart your 2025 in the correct way with Sportplan and make this the best coaching year you have had!

December 31st, 2024
|
Cam Hughes
History Of The Modern Olympics and Its Cultural Significance

History Of The Modern Olympics and Its Cultural Significance

How did the Modern Olympics originally begin and why are they so culturally significant today?

July 25th, 2024
|
Cam Hughes
The Professionalisation of Netball

The Professionalisation of Netball

The Professionalisation of Netball is changing the game. Here is how it is helping to develop the sport.

July 17th, 2024
|
Lucy Chatwin
VISIT THE BLOG TO READ MORE
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
passingdefendingbarcafitnessgoalkeeperpossessionsoccer3rd man runcrossingwarm upshootingdribblingcreating spacesession plansheadingfirst touchcornerswarm upsoverlappre season

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Excellent site with easy to navigate pages.

Lawrence Hanrahan England

The 'My Stuff' feature is amazing! It's a coach's best friend!

Thomas McArdle United Kingdom

Love the site, it's a fantastic learning tool!

Ian Mckellar America

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ football drills
  • create professional football coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested football plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3rd man run barca conditioned games control corners creating space cricket crossing defending dribbling first touch fitness football games goalkeeping heading overlap passing possession pre season search session plans shooting shooting drills soccer team sheet through the gate turning drills warm up warm ups
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of football coaches plus 500+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT