Push pass basics

This is a great revision session because it works on core skills under pressure, especially short passing when the ball carrier is running “offline”. That means he is either running towards the intended receiver or away. This will test how much power he needs to put into the pass and highlights good timing.

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

This is a short passing exercise and session so passes should all be “pushed”, not spun. If the player “spins” the pass, he will have to wind it up, reducing the time available. Spin passes also require the player to turn his hands over the ball, further reducing accuracy. Make a big fuss about accurate passes. Ask players to judge for themselves whether they are improving – and what they can do differently. Answers should include: “Look where I am passing”, “Follow my hands through to the target”, “Push the ball in front of the receiver”.

set-up

1. Attack the gap and then pass the ball.
2. Pass hard, with hands following the ball to the target.
3. Look at the target!

What you get your players to do

Put an attacker 5m away from two coned gates. Get him to run forward and either go “short” or “wide” through the gates. This means either nearer to the passer or further away to receive a ball from a feeder at the side. He then passes the ball to another attacker, who has to time his run to take the final pass at pace. At the same time a defender comes forward to make sure the first receiver has a reason to pass (see pictures 1 and 2).