Long pass plays

Develop long passing for specific plays. This session works on running lines and timing as well as improving accuracy of passing in match-like situations. You should be able to run these throughout the season, making this an essential session.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

It is important the long passer engages their defender before launching the ball. They do this by running straight and turning their hips and shoulders at the last moment. They must not run at the inside shoulder of their opposite man because it prevents them seeing the intended receiver and prevents them releasing their shoulders and arms to pass the ball accurately. The ball must travel quickly through the air otherwise defenders can shift over to cover overlaps. The examples in this session are just some of the ways you can use the long pass.

set-up

1. Long passer: Fix your opposite man, then release the pass.
2. Receiver: Hold your run and don’t drift away from the pass.
3. Aim to fix the defence before attacking the outside channels.

What you get your players to do

Use the side of the pitch and five cones. Put a receiver in the 5m channel, another player in the 5m to 15m channel and another player outside the 15m channel. Put two defenders opposite the first two players (see picture 1). The feeder passes to the first receiver, with the defence starting 8m from the line of the ball. The first receiver must pass the ball while inside their own channel but can then loop to receive another pass. Using touch tackling, the defence closes down the attack which aims to score in the far channel. One point for a score in the first two channels, two points in the far channel. Start the ball closer to the defence to add further pressure. Work off both left and right hands. See picture 2 for four different ways the feeder can use different length passes.