Pass out, pass in

Passing moves the ball to a player in a better position. Passes can also be used to manipulate the defence. A wide pass followed by a short pass back the other way is a surprisingly easy way to create gaps in the defence. Two backs could put a strong running forward into a gap, reducing the need for that forward to pass the ball.

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

What to think about

• Are the ball carrier and first receiver playing at game speed to draw the defence across? Ask the players to play at a speed faster than they would normally play in a game. There may be a few mistakes but the pace will have increased noticeably.
• Can the timing of the inside pass be improved, as the receiver sometimes has to catch the ball on their hip or stretch too far for the ball? Communication is key, plus a good knowledge of how each player reacts and passes under pressure. Match up typical pairings and groups who might find themselves together on a match day.

set-up

1. Attack the space and make the defenders drift across to the first receiver.
2. Throw a long pass to stretch the defence.
3. Pass back inside once the defenders commit to the outside man.
4. Second receiver angle your run back against the direction the defenders came from.

What you get your players to do

Set up a pair of defenders at the corner of a box. On your signal three attackers move forward and try to score at the far side of the box. A long initial pass is made to stretch the defenders before the ball is passed back inside to the third attacker who breaks past the defenders. The defenders aim to close down the first receiver to start with. The final ball carrier won’t always find open space, so he may need to bust through a tackle.