Soccer movement drills

How to set it up

• Set up a 25x15 yards area.
• Place three cones on three corners and two cones around the halfway point in the area (see picture above).
• Players stand at the cones.

Sequence of play

• Player A passes to player B, who passes it back to A.
• A passes to the working player who is on the move.
• With a first-time pass, the working player passes across to C, then returns to their cone. C passes back to A.
• Players keep their positions for six passes.

How to change it Every third pass, player B should turn first time without passing back to A and pass into the space for the working player to run on to. This means they have to move quicker to get to the pass. You can change the number of touches players have to make it harder. The timing in this move is much quicker so players must use good passing and receiving. This session originally appeared in Soccer Coach Weekly.   WARM-UP  Technique and movement You can use this warm-up when coaching running with the ball because it gets players passing, and moving to the pass, in preparation for the more advanced work explained in the session above. Key elements Control, footwork, ball skills and movement.

• Get one player to act as a server. The other player works.
• The working player must move forward to receive a pass and return it. They then back pedal up and around the cones to receive another serve on the opposite side.
• The players work for one minute each on the following drills:

1. Playing a first time pass.
2. Returning a bouncing serve with a half volley.
3. Returning an aerial serve with a volley.
4. Returning an aerial serve with a header.

* Editor’s choice * It can’t be overemphasized how important it is that your warm-ups reflect real match conditions as far as possible. It’s also important to ensure your players get as many touches with a ball as possible. This exercise is taken from The Ultimate Soccer Warm-Ups Manual. Dave Clarke