Practice 2: Step on to the pass

WHY USE IT

This is an opposed practice. To be successful, players will need to play the type of pass we are encouraging of them.

SET UP

Set up an area relevant for your players. It is split into two halves by a small channel. There is a server at the end of each area and a 2v2 situation in one half, with the other half empty. Again, there can be two separate areas.

HOW TO PLAY

Server plays into their team-mates and joins in to make a 3v2. Attacking team looks to progress into the other half of the pitch - to do so, a player must collect the ball within the channel. They can’t wait in the channel and can only have one touch inside it (they must touch it in the channel). If successful, the player passes to the other server. The game then transfers into this half, with the other team becoming the attackers. The previous server steps back out of the pitch. If the defenders win possession they can play to their server immediately and the game transfers to that half of the pitch, where they become attackers.

COACHING POINTS

• Timing and positioning of player receiving in channel
• Accuracy and weight of pass to players 
• Decision-making, when to keep possession and when to make the pass
• Encourage a ‘wall pass’ to allow players to proceed into the other half of the area