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LOGINLong and accurate passing
Puts in place the technique required to strike the ball over long distances, which players may need when wishing to switch play or pass the ball behind opposing defenders.
What this session is about
- Getting length, height and accuracy on long passes.
- Improving passing technique.
What to think about
- Approach the ball at an angle.
- Lean back slightly.
- Plant the non-kicking foot diagonally behind the ball but not immediately next to it.
- Using the laces, strike the bottom half of the ball and a vertical line that bisects it.
- Lock the ankle and extend the kicking foot.
- Sweep the leg through and across the ball.
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
Set up a 40x10 pitch split into four equal zones (make the pitch shorter for younger players). Using six players, put a defender in each of the central two zones with the other four attackers at opposite ends (two at each end). Starting at one end, attacker 1 (A1) passes along the ground to defender 1(D1) in the nearest defensive zone and receives a return pass. The attacker controls it, then hits a lofted pass to the far attacking zone over the heads of both defenders. This sequence is repeated at the opposite end. Alternate who makes the passes. Rotate defenders and attackers so everyone hits lofted passes.
Development: The nearest defender runs towards the attacker to exert pressure after hitting the return pass. The lofted pass can also be hit first time.
Development
12 players on a 60x20 pitch with two 15x20 end zones A and B. Mark out a 5-yard square in the middle. Split players into groups of four, one in A and B and defenders in the 5-yard square. Team A hit a lofted pass to B. Team B make at least three passes before lofting the ball back to A. Each time a pass enters an end zone, two defenders can leave their square to apply pressure. Regularly rotate attackers and defenders.
Progress: Make the end zones smaller so the long passes have to be more accurate, and/or increase the number of passes they have to make.
Related Files
Game situation
Play 4v4 on a 30-yard square pitch with four “target” players in each corner, in a 5-yard square. Teams score by hitting a lofted pass accurately to a target player. No player from either side is allowed to enter these zones. Play for five minutes and then swap teams around until each team has manned the target corners. The team with the most successful lofted passes to target players wins.
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