Football | Passing and Receiving Drills

Players work inside a 10 meter long grid with one ball divided into three. The players on the outside pass the ball into the middle player who passes the ball straight back. When the outside players receives the return ball they play it first time, passing a lofted pass over the top of the middle player to the opposite outside player who controls the ball and then repeats the drill from the other side.

Set up with 2 cones as shown with 2 players at each end and 1 ball. Player with the ball passes the ball across and then quickly drops off. Their partner should move to the ball and take a good first touch before passing the ball back with their second touch and then dropping off. The players should look to move backwards when off the ball and forwards when the pass is made to them.

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the disatance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players). 1 player on each cone and 1 player in the middle, 1 ball between the 3. Play starts with 1 end player playing a 1,2 with the middle player and then playing a pass long to the other end player. Middle player should move towards the end player he passes to and then quickly accelerate with the pass of that player to get to a new position to repeat the sequence with the other end player.

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the disatance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players). 1 player on each cone and 1 player in the middle, 1 ball between the 3. Play starts with 1 end player playing a 1,2 with the middle player and then playing a pass long to the other end player. Middle player should move towards the end player he passes to and then quickly accelerate with the pass on that player to get to a new position to repeat the sequence with the other end player.

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the distance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players). 1 player on each cone and 2 players in the middle, 1 ball between the 4. Play begins with a pass from the outside into the middle. The middle players combine to get the ball out to the other side. The sequence is then repeated from the other side.

First touch and passing accuracy. One ball between two set out the gates so the player can practice a specific 1st touch and pass. in this case the player receiving the ball has to 1st touch the ball to the right and pass the ball through the gate to the other player. firts player to pass the ball 10 times through the gate wins.

Position 5 Attackers as shown in the diagram, with Player 4 being marked by a Defender. Pass 1 > 3 > 2 > 4 > 5, with 5 running round from behind 4 to collect the pass. As ball is travelling from 3 to 4 then 5 makes the run. It is key that he doesn't go too early.  Set this up on the left and the right, You can play both sides, with Player 1 passing alternately to the left and then right.  Form a line of players ready on the centre circle ready to make it a continuous drill. Each Player moves to the starting position of the Player they just passed to, except 5 who becomes the Defender and the Defender who joins the line of 1s.

Split your players into three equal sized teams, with two teams starting inside the area and the third spread around the outside of the grid. The team on the outside of the grid are neutral players. When they receive the ball they must pass back to a player on the same team that originally passed to them. The two teams inside the area play a possession game. The challenge for each team is to score 10 (or more) consecutive passes to score a goal.

2 players per group, 1 ball per pair. Players inside the grid are without the ball, players on the outside each have a ball. The inside players move around the grid freely, looking to receive a ball from an outside player and return it as quickly as they possible.

Progression from practice f5110a. Progressions: - Return with one then two touches. - Receive with outside of the foot, inside of the foot, left only etc. - Return ball out of the air. - Receive, do a dribble, move then return. - Receive, turn and find a different target.

Players number themselves from one-eight (or as many numbers as there are players). Players must then pass in numerical order. Although they can attempt to memorise the passing order it's far more beneficial if the players call out and communicate to one another. So once player two has the ball, player 3 should be calling the receive the pass.

Set up a triangle as shown. 4 players on the outside, 2 on 1 cone and 1 on each of the other 2 cones. 1 ball between the group. The ball is with the 1st player in the cone with 2. A 1,2 is played with the next player in the triangle and then a long pass is made to the next player on. The sequence is repeated at each point of the triangle and thus the pattern of passing is alternative short and long passes around the triangle. Players move 1 cone on after completing the long pass.

A rectangle of cones is set up, once the ball is passed, the player takes it around the cone before passing back to the player.

Set up a playing area, divided into three equal sized playing areas. Players cannot enter another zone. To begin with play 6 attackers (3 in both ends) v 1 defender in the middle. The aim for the attackers is to use good passing movement to create space for the pass into the opposite zone.

3 players stand around 3 metres apart from one another with one ball between them. They can pass in either direction and should start with two touch football, using strong side footed passes. After a few minutes you can introduce a one touch rule to encourage players to think about where they are going to pass before they even receive the ball.

2 players are placed on the outside of the grid and 2 players on the inside. The players on the inside of the grid are the defenders but are not allowed to come out of the grid. The 2 outside players just have to keep possession by playing lofted passes over the 2 middle players.

Player 1 plays the ball up the line into space. Player 2 receives the ball on the move and takes a touch. Player 2 then passes the ball up the line again into space to players 3.

Group players in pairs, facing each other 5 yards apart. The player in possession rolls the ball to the side of his partner to demonstrate how much harder a ball is to stop when it travels along the ground. Once familiar with this knowledge, players must attempt to shoot their balls past their partners. Partners must attempt to stop or save the balls. Repeat and rotate.

Working on playing a quick pass to the deepest player on your team. Using the route one pass to quickly outnumber the opposition's defence. After receiving the hard pass from the midfield player (red 3) the players should try to shake off the defender before then deciding to either play the pass to one of their team-mates or going it alone. Finish the drill with an attempt at goal.

2 players face each other 10m apart. 1 ball per pair. The players pass the ball to each other using the instep pass, and with each pass take a step closer.