Soccer: Piggy in the Middle

Place 4 goals at the corners of the fields. 3 players per side. Players must one-two combine, before putting the ball through the goal. No more than 2 touches before passing through the goal.

Set up a minimum of 4 pairs of cones in a straight line and get players into pairs, with a player from each pair stood behind the starting cones. In this pairs passing exercise players are only allowed to use straight passes (no diagonal balls). The first pass is played from player 1 (p1) to player 2 (p2). P1 then runs diagonally across the grid to receive the return pass from p2. After passing the ball to p1, p2 must also run to the cone diagonally opposite to receive the next pass. The drill continues in this way until players reach the final cone.

Working in pairs one player feeds the ball and the receiving player must return the pass along the ground.

Player 2 backpedals in front of player 1. When player 1 passes to player 2 they must stop the ball and pass the ball back into the path of player 1. Player 2 then runs backwards a further 5 metres before repeating the process. Once both players have reached the sideline they swap roles and the drill continues.

Set out a pattern of cones for any passing sequence. In this one we set the cones out so the players play a infield pass followed by a pass to the wing who has to run down the wing around the cone to cross the ball to the forward who should try to score with a first time shot. Each player pass and follows their own pass to the next station.

2 players with 1 ball players stand behind their 2 cones. Players have to take the ball wide of one of the cones to then try and score a goal by passing the ball through the 2 cones of the other player who on receiving the ball takes it wide of the their cones to pass the ball back.

Set up a 3 vs. 3 game in a quarter of the pitch. Each team elects a goalkeeper. This player is allowed to use their hands in the defensive end zone. They are not allowed to stay inside the defensive area and must also go forward as an outfield player during attacks on the opposing goal. A team must make at least 2 passes before they can shoot on goal. Award 3 points for every successful pass and 5 points for every goal. The first team to 21 points wins.

Setup the practice as shown. Split the group into two. Player 1 dribbles up to the cone before passing the ball across to player 2. Players have to make sure that they give a pass in each box (5 x 5m)

Players play 1 or 2 touch, passing to each other and then move to find the empty cone.

Player 1 starts with the ball and passes the ball to player 2. player 1 runs after the ball to try and win the ball off player 2 (not allowed to intercept, only tackle). Player 2 has to at least play 2 touches, one to control and one pass. Every player in turn has to follow his/her own pass and stop in the position of the next player.

Set out grids of about 5m by 5m depending on the ability of your group (the bigger the distance between the players the easier the practice) blue player 1 rolls or throws the ball to either red player 1 or 2. As soon as the ball is thrown and whilst the receiving player is trying to control the ball the innitial player should challenge  for the ball and try to win it back. The receiving player has to try and pass the ballto the 3rd player on doing this. the innitial receiver becomes the next thrower.

Players run diagonally up the field - passing and receiving to each player.

Player 1 passes to player 2, meanwhile player 3 reacts to this pass and moves so that they're ready to receive from player 2, with their body open to the wing. Meanwhile player 1 charges up the line, ready to receive the pass from player 3. When they receive the ball on the run they switch the ball to player 1 on the other side and the drill continues.

Working in pairs, players run between hurdles and pass the ball through them. One player will start behind the hurdle and receive the pass, with the other player passing through before swapping roles before the next hurdle.

Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m. Have a few players at each corner. A Player (1) from one corner runs clockwise around the square with a ball; halfway to the next corner they pass to the Player (2) at this corner. Player 2 passes immediately back to the Player 1 and starts running clockwise to the next corner. Player 1 passes the ball on to the Player (3) at the corner in front of Player 2. Player 3 then passes to Player 2 and starts running. Player 2 passes to Player 4, who passes to Player 3 who is running towards them.   Play moves clockwise, allowing each player to have a few turns. Then play anti-clockwise.

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 passing it into the middle player who tranfers the ball to the other side. Middle players follows their pass and goes to the outside while the outside player plays a long pass across before getting into the middle to receive and play the ball back out through the other side. The player in the middle and 1 player on the outside will always rotate roles, while the other player on the outside will remain in their position.

Starting in a 6 vs 3 (in favour of the defending side) a feeder player on the half-way line plays a high ball deep into the half. The defending side must get the ball quickly under control and then aim to pass the ball out back to the feeder as quickly as possible.

In pairs, players pass the ball to each other through a gate, or through a hurdle.

A three way pass and receive drill. The first player passes straight to the red player and then runs out wide ready to receive the red player's return pass which should go through the gate. Once they've received this pass through the gate the blue player plays a long ball (lofted or driven) to the player on the far cone who controls the ball and then dribbles through the slalom back to the start line.

3 players start with one ball between them. Players must pass and follow on the move. Important that the pass is always in front of the receiver so the drill flows.