Juggle, catch, pass

WHY USE IT

A game which teaches players to take a bad pass and then make an excellent instant one to a team-mate, ensuring the attack keeps going no matter the quality of the ball received.

set up

A 10m square with two players in the middle and two at either end facing each other (see top illustration). One ball per square. 

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: Outside player (A) passes to put Player 1 under most pressure – up high, down low, to the left or the right. But, ensure all passes can be caught (see middle illustration). When Player 1 catches the ball, they have one second to make a pass to Player 2’s chest area – anywhere else is a poor pass (see bottom illustration).

Once Player 2 has caught the ball, they pass to Player B and the game starts again. Switch players round. Score one point for every clean catch from a poor pass, another point for an accurate pass within a second and a point for an accurate pass to an outside player. The player who makes the most passes to chest height in one minute wins. If using lots of groups, work out the best group by adding all scores together. Every player plays in all four positions, so the game takes about five minutes.

COACHING POINTS

• What to call out: “Hands up at all times, reacting to a pass.”; “Look at receiver, listen to the call, pass quickly to the chest.”
• This game allows players to move around and have fun, providing key time to gain confidence with ball in hand.