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LOGINControl, pass, move
A good first touch to control the ball, which is followed by an accurate pass and then moving to be available for another pass is a good habit to have. Instil this in your players with this session.
What this session is about
- Passing.
- Receiving the ball.
What to think about
- Use awkward “checking” movements to fool an opponent and create space.
- Use a range of communication – verbal or visual (eye contact, movement or gesture).
- Receiving a pass – be in line with the ball, cushion it on impact to the side, but not too far.
- Passing – belly button facing the target, nonkicking foot alongside the ball, side foot through the horizontal mid-line, think about weight, accuracy and follow-through.
Set-up
| Warm up | Session | Development | Game Situation | Warm Down |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 10 minutes |
What you get your players to do
Six “servers” start at equal distances apart on the edge of a circle, each with a ball. Six other players pair up in the centre, as in the top picture.
The first player in each pair receives a pass from a server, controls and passes back before spinning away to allow the second player to do the same. The second player follows the first player to a new server to repeat the drill.
After two minutes, the players in the middle switch roles, with the player following now taking the lead. After a further two minutes, the central players switch positions with the servers.
Make sure players use the inside and outside of both feet to receive and pass.
Development
To develop, rather than spinning away after passing back to the server, the first player moves to one side so the second player can play a onetwo with the first player before the second player passes back to the server.
As a variation, the first player “dummies” (steps over or allows the ball to run between his legs) the pass from the server so the second player receives it and returns the pass, as in the middle picture.
Finally, the first player can choose his response – accepts the pass, returns it and spins away; accepts the pass but creates an angle for a onetwo; or dummies the pass – which the second player has to react to.
In each case communication is vital. Players should create a signal system whether verbal or visual (eye contact, movement or gesture) to alert their partner to what they plan to do when the ball reaches them.
Related Files
Game situation
Play a 3v3 in the circle. Each team has three receivers positioned on the edge of the circle, as in the bottom picture.
Teams score a point either through the central players successfully completing three consecutive passes or by passing out to a receiver, who must make a successful and positive first touch into the circle and, at the same time, switch roles with the player who passed the ball.
Play for five minutes and add up the points to see which team has won. Swap players around to create new teams and play twice more.
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