Practice 1: Step on to the pass

WHY USE IT

This session shows players how to encourage team-mates to play forward. By making players step on to a pass, it almost removes the need for a decision on whether to play forward or not.

SET UP

This is a technical unopposed practice. Set out a square grid. Position two players in each of two directly opposite corners, with the other corners having one player. Additional players can be distributed across the four corners. Or, if you have 12 players, use two grids.

HOW TO PLAY

Practice starts simultaneously in the two corners that have two players.

A player from each travels with a ball anti-clockwise. As they approach the next corner, they play a short diagonal pass for the next player.

After playing the pass, the player waits at this corner of the grid to receive a pass.

The player receiving the pass travels with the ball and plays the same pass when they get close to the next corner.

The practice continues in this manner and, after a short time, the direction is changed to clockwise.

COACHING POINTS

Passes need to be played just in front of the player and with the correct amount of weight to allow them to step-on to the pass and travel forward with the ball.