Precise passing

Don’t let better players settle for second best when passing the ball. This session creates an unusual exercise to make sure passes are made accurately and with good pace. It also makes the receiver more acutely aware of their role in providing a target.

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

What to think about

A crisp, precise pass makes a noise when it hits the hands of the receiver. The pass needs to be propelled with some pace, dependent on how far away the receiver is. Too fast and the ball may well be dropped. However, if the ball is passed with pace it is more likely to end up in the place it was intended. It is easier to feel a sense of where the ball is going with a firm pass. Also to pass hard, the hands will tend towards the receiver. This is good technique. Test this out by getting players to stand opposite each other to pass “soft” and “hard” and check where the hands end up.

set-up

1. Anticipate where the receiver will want to take the ball.
2. Pass firmly at the target.

What you get your players to do

Warm up by having pairs of players run for 5m, passing the ball to each other once, then turning around to repeat the process. Next, add two players to stand between the receiver and the ball carrier. There should be a 2m gap between the front and back player. Start all the players walking forward. Make the ball carrier pass to the receiver through the gap between the players. After 5m, make them turnaround, and put the two players next to the old passer, repeating the exercise. Increase the pace and distances of the exercises as the players improve.