Contact Help center
Football Football
HOME Football SEARCH

Football: passin

passin DRILLS
View All

1, 2, 3 Pass and Move

There are two triangles in this drill, both using the same top point player (player 5). Players in the top triangle pass in an anti-clockwise direction and players in the lower triangle pass in a clock-wise direction. Both pairs of players must use the middle player as their third passing option.

Passing and Receiving

1v1 to Goal

Organise the players into groups of 3, with 1 goalkeeper and 2 outfield players. Player 1 and player 2 stand or sit facing away from goal. The goalkeeper then throws the ball out and player 1 and player 2 play the ball back to the goal, passing between them before shooting.

1 v 1 skills

Goals, Goals, Goals 3

Three players line up facing each other. Player 1 plays the ball into player two's feet. They meet the ball and turn before playing a wall pass with player 3, and once the ball has returned, player 2 then shoots first time.

1 v 1 skills

Minefield Passing

In both the wide channels put one defender and two attackers. Both attackers in the same rectangle must touch the ball before trying to pass to the other attackers. However the ball is not allowed to touch the floor in the minefield area (middle box). If the pass doesn't find its intended recipient because it falls short or is intercepted the player who passed the ball swaps over with the defender in their area.

Possession

One Touch Passing

Players are 10 metres apart facing each other.Player 1 starts with the ball.Player 1 rolls the ball to player 2 who passes the ball back with instep using 1 touch.After 10 repetitions swap roles.

Passing and Receiving

Only Square Passes

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.

Passing and Receiving

Pass, up and over!

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.

Passing and Receiving

Passing Triangle

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.

Passing and Receiving

Square Ball 2

Three players stand behind 1 corner of the grid each. The ball is played to a player on one of the cones. The ball cannot be passed diagonally. The spare player must move to give the ball carrier a second passing option.

Passing and Receiving

Triangle Pass and Move

Players stand in a triangle formation, with an extra man stood behind the player on the ball. Players pass in a clockwise direction, following their pass.

Passing and Receiving

3 man weave Passing and Receiv...

3 players run down the pitch, passing and interchanging to finish with a shot at goal. Player in the middle starts with the ball. They pass the ball to one of the outside players and overlaps around them. The second player passes the ball to the player on the other side and overlaps around them. Each player receives the ball from the same player every time and they should overlap around the player they pass to. 

General

Football: Drive Passing in pai...

Players work in pairs and pass over an initial distance of the width of the penalty area (smaller depending on age of players).The aim here is for players to keep the ball on the ground and get it to their partner as quickly as possible using a driven pass.

General

The Diagonal Pass Passing and ...

Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair. The first player makes a square pass across the grid to their partner before running onto the cone ahead.Their partner then plays a pass diagonally across the grid back to their partner who is looking to run onto the ball. The player who started the drill then plays square across the grid again to their partner running onto the ball.The players work their way up to the top of the grid.

General

Box Passing Passing and Receiv...

Players must use their first touch to play the ball either to the left or the right of their square. As soon as they have done this they must then aim to pass the ball through the middle grid and into their partner's square. Their partner must then use their first touch to guide the ball slightly out of their own grid to play the return pass back.

General

Beat the Runner Passing and Re...

Group in pairs. One ball between the pair. Repeat in 5 other areas for a total of 12 players.Player 2 passes the ball across the area to player 1. Player 2 then runs immediately around the cone and back to his starting position. Player 1 must control the ball, then pass it back using the inside of his foot, attempting to pass the ball over the far end line before player 2 gets back into position. A goal is scored if the ball goes over the end line travelling along the ground. Repeat and rotate.

General

Drag and Push Pass with Forwar...

Get players working in two's coming forward, dragging and pushing the ball before dribbling forward and passing the ball across. This drill builds confidence and will show holes in technique.

General

3 Man Pass and Run Passing and...

Players pass and then move to find an empty cone. Players should take 1 touch. With bigger numbers in your training session you can increase the number of cones and the number of balls accordingly.

General

2 touch 3's Passing Passing an...

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. Players always take 2 touches, the ball is moved from one end, into the middle man and then to the other end before the sequence is repeated from the other side.

General

Square Ball 2 Passing and Rece...

Three players stand behind 1 corner of the grid each. The ball is played to a player on one of the cones. <br />The ball cannot be passed diagonally. The spare player must move to give the ball carrier a second passing option.

General

Through the cones passing Pass...

With one ball between two players have to try and pass the ball through the goals 10 times, without making a mistake. You can run this as a competition between pairs or simply use it as a challenge to get players to focus on their passing accuracy.

General

Passing by Numbers Passing and...

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.

General

Football: Static passing throu...

Player get into groups of 3 with one ball. two players pass to each other through the legs of the 3 player in the middle who stands feet apart facing the player with the ball. Swap after each minute. Repeat practice using both feet.

General

2v1 Functional Play Passing an...

Player 1 starts with the ball. The ball is played in with pace to the feet of player 2. As the ball is played in player 2 moves to the ball, and with their first touch aim to bring the ball inside and round the defender. The same can be done on the outside towards the touch line.

General

Unopposed control Passing and ...

Objective: To successfully use different surfaces to control the ball in an unopposed practice.Detail:Mark out a 20 x 20 area.Split the players into pairs.Players then spread around the outside of the area with their partner on the inside.To begin, players are stationary and play two touch by controlling the ball before passing back.Players remain stationary whilst working on control and aerial control (chest, thigh, head).Get in line with the ball.Select an appropriate controlling surface.Show surface to control the ball.Withdraw surface to reduce impact.Angle of body to turn.

General

Follow Your Pass Passing and R...

Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m.Have a few players at each corner.In 2 of the corners (diagonal) a player starts with a ball. They pass the ball clockwise around the square, to the next corner and follow their pass.The ball is passed clockwise around the square.Once each player has passed a few times switch to anti-clockwise.

General

Piggy in the Middle Passing an...

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.

General

Football: Passing through the ...

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.

General

Turn and Pass 1 Passing and Re...

Set up as shown. Player 1 passes the ball into the feet of player 2 who must turn and pass the ball to one of the three players outside of the cones, either to his left, right or behind him. This drill will not only improve the passing technique of the players, but also improve their awareness; knowing what options they have before receiving the ball.

General

Pass and run Passing and Recei...

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.

General

2v1 To A Goal Passing and Rece...

Set up as shown with two attackers and one defender, with the defender positioned closest to the goal. Attackers must look to pass the ball quickly  before dribbling it into the goal.

General

Roll Passes Passing and Receiv...

Set up as shown with 2 players with 1 ball working around a small diamond.The two players pass to each other using the soles of their feet.One of them can roll the ball across to another side to instigate a movement to change positions.

General

Pass and follow - Across the p...

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.

General

Target Passing - Long Balls Pa...

How accurate are your players long passes? This fun drill lets you find out. Like on an archery board have different target zones - a central 'bull's eye' and then two outer targets. From one side of the pitch to the other players take it in turns to have 4 consecutive cross-field passes, all the time trying to get the ball to land inside the 'bull's eye'.

General

Reverse Pass Passing and Recei...

Players are in pairs. <BR>Player 2 starts with the ball, they dribble the ball in a diagonal line to the opposite cone. <BR>Player 1 make a diagonal run towards the opposite cone. <BR>As the player with the ball reaches the cone they play a reverse ball to their partner.

General

Right to left pass Passing and...

Using 4 cones set out in a square 5m x 5m. Players in pairs run alon the length of one side and pass the ball from righ to left on the move to the other player who receives the ball with their left foot. then turn and run back to the cone they started from to pass the ball right to left back to the other player (with the right foot).

General

Ball in the box Passing and Re...

Two boxes of 20x10 steps, are marked out with cones. Teams are evenly split and they stand in one box each. Team 1 start with a football each. On the coach's command the team with the balls attempt to play a long pass in the air, that makes its first bounce in the other team's box.

General

Only Square Passes Passing and...

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.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
passin DRILL CATEGORIES
View All
Passing and Receiving Drills
Passing and Receiving Drills
passin SESSIONS
View All

Playing through the thirds

The modern style of football encourages teams to get the ball down and pass into the guts of the pressing team to break the lines and move the ball up the field through each third.

Introducing the Overlap - Overlapping Attack!

Create the extra man with the attacking overlap - a fluid and attacking style of passing football for all players - defence, midfield or strikers

Using width when attacking

Stretch your opposition and drag defenders out of position with this wide attacking session, complete with two great conditioned games!

Pre-Season - Running and Dribbling

Get their legs moving and find out how your players perform when fatigue hits them with this pre-season football-fitness session!

Plan B defending - On the edge of your Box!

Danger zone defending - create defending pressure, in and around your 18 yard box, to test your how your defenders cope!

Team Possession Confidence

This simple all-ages plan is designed to improve your players' on the ball confidence and team communication.

Using the overlap to create goal scoring opportunities

Does your attack run out of momentum due to a lack of support from other players? If so practice the overlap to create more scoring opportunities.

Improving body positioning and shaping of runs

Keep the attacking fire burning and get your players opening up their body, thinking about their first touch and angling their runs up field

Exploiting space in midfield

Develop intelligent midfielders to be able to recognise space and exploit it with good vision and technique to make a pass in the middle of the park.

Making the Pass Playable

Take things back to basics and nail down the simple skills to play with fluidity. Pass, dribble and receive with a quality with this session that sharpens your players basics.

Developing Quick Play

Play with a tempo that the opposition can?t handle. Discover combinations on the field to get the ball moving quickly and cut open defences.

Pre-Season Introduction: Running and Ball Work

Use this session during the pre and early season period to welcome your players back and get them working on their fitness with a ball at their feet!

Developing Attacking Play - Counter Attacks and 1v1 Confidence

We all know that goals win games in football, so in just 6 drills this easy to use session improves your team's 1v1 confidence, attacking passing and counter-attacking ability

Change the Point of Attack

Move the opposition's defence and practice passing into space with this switching session - working on quick and accurate passes.

Attacking When Opposition Is In & Out Of Balance

To develop players understanding, knowledge and application around attacking principles when the opposition are either in or out of balance.

Team Shape In Possession ? Attacking Principles

Introduce the technical and tactical attacking principles of team shape when in possession - develop players understanding and application around topic.
passin ANSWERS
View All

U12s use both feet in training but on match days only use stronger foot?

I coach an under 12s team and although in training we do lots of passing and shooting drills, using both feet, when it comes to a game situation (in training or on Sunday) they all go back to only kicking using their stronger foot.

Ian Marsh Coach, England

Drill which encourages kids to...

Was thinking of putting two kids in coloured bibs and having other kids in the group pass the ball between each other , the coach then calls out a colour and the kid in possession passes to the coloured bib

ciaran Coach, Northern Ireland

Players that will not pass | S...

I have 3 players at under 14 level, that seem to think running with the ball and not passing is the best way forward, could anybody suggest how I might get round this.

Archived User Coach

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ soccer drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Save yourself a scare this Halloween and ensure your session runs smoothly. No chaos, no fright, just structure.

October 30th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour: What To Expect

The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour: What To Expect

As the Lions tour approaches with their first tour game this Friday against Argentina, we look ahead at what the fans can expect to see from both sides as the tour in Australia approaches...

June 18th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
Transform Your Coaching: Discover the Power of FootballBot!

Transform Your Coaching: Discover the Power of FootballBot!

Introducing the Sportplan FootballBot. Your new coaching partner that has all the answers to the questions you may have...

June 12th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
VISIT THE BLOG TO READ MORE
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
dribblingcreating spacesoccerwarm upgoalkeeperbarcafirst touchdefendingpre seasonwarm upspassingshootingsession planscornerspossession3rd man runoverlapfitnesscrossingheading

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Excellent site with easy to navigate pages.

Lawrence Hanrahan England

The 'My Stuff' feature is amazing! It's a coach's best friend!

Thomas McArdle United Kingdom

Love the site, it's a fantastic learning tool!

Ian Mckellar America

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ soccer drills
  • create professional soccer coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested soccer plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3rd man run barca conditioned games control corners creating space cricket crossing defending dribbling first touch fitness football games goalkeeping heading overlap passing possession pre season search session plans shooting shooting drills soccer team sheet through the gate turning drills warm up warm ups
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of soccer coaches plus 500+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT