Passing drills
Start with technique (pass and move), then add pressure and decisions. Every drill here has a progression into a game.
The best passing drills for young players combine passing with movement and decisions: pass and move patterns, passing through gates and small possession games, not static lines.
Pass and move square
Players pass around a square and follow their pass to the next cone. Simple, rhythmic and perfect for passing technique and receiving on the half-turn.
U8 to U16 · 4 to 6 per square players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Passing gates in pairs
Pairs score a point every time they pass through a gate to each other. Competitive, busy and full of scanning.
U7 to U13 · Pairs (whole squad) players · 10 mins
See the drill →Switching play: 4v4 + 2 across three zones
A possession game where a point is scored for moving the ball from one outside zone to the other. Players learn to draw the opponent to one side and switch.
U11 to adult · 10 players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →Third-man passing pattern (Y shape)
A Y-shaped passing pattern where the first pass goes in, comes back to a different player, then goes forward again. The basic movement behind most combination play.
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 players · 12 to 15 mins
See the drill →Receiving on the half-turn
Players in the middle receive from one side and turn to play to the other in one movement, with their body already open. The receiving skill every midfielder needs.
U9 to adult · 6 to 12 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Scanning game: colour cones
Players pass in a square while the coach holds up a colour. The receiver must have looked first to pass to the matching cone gate. Builds the habit of checking your shoulder.
U8 to U14 · 6 to 16 players · 10 to 12 mins
See the drill →Triangle passing with rotation
Players pass around a triangle and follow their pass to the next cone. Lots of touches, quick rhythm and a natural way to teach opening up to receive.
U8 to U16 · 3 to 5 per triangle players · 10 mins
See the drill →Diamond passing with a give-and-go
A diamond of cones where players pass, set back and play forward, then follow. A classic pattern for crisp passing, timing of movement and communication.
U9 to adult · 5 to 8 per diamond players · 15 mins
See the drill →One-two (wall pass) relay
Teams race to play one-twos with a wall player past a cone 'defender' and back. Fun, competitive and teaches the pass-and-move timing behind every give-and-go.
U8 to U14 · 6 to 20 (teams of 3 to 5) players · 10 mins
See the drill →Long driven passing in pairs
Partners drive the ball to each other across a 25 to 35 metre channel, receiving on the move. Builds the long pass and the first touch needed to switch play at 9v9 and 11v11.
U12 to adult · Pairs (whole squad) players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Numbers passing (pass in sequence)
Every player has a number and passes only to the next number while everyone keeps moving. Forces scanning, communication and moving to get open.
U9 to adult · 8 to 16 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Circle passing with a centre player
Players around a circle pass into a centre player, who turns and plays out to someone else, then swaps places. Great for receiving on the half-turn and passing under a bit of time pressure.
U8 to U16 · 6 to 10 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Passing relay race
Teams race to pass up and down their lane through small cone goals. Simple, noisy and great for young players learning to pass with the inside of the foot.
U6 to U10 · 6 to 20 (teams of 3 to 4) players · 10 mins
See the drill →Overlap passing pattern
A wide player receives, a teammate runs around the outside, and the ball is slipped into the overlapping run. Teaches timing, weight of pass and the overlap used by full-backs and wide players.
U11 to adult · 6 to 12 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Up, back and through
Pass up to a target player, receive the lay-off back and play through to a runner. The classic three-pass combination for getting the ball forward and beating a line.
U10 to adult · 6 to 12 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Three-line pass and follow
Three lines in a row: pass to the middle, the middle player sets back or plays on, and everyone follows their pass. A tidy way to rehearse receiving, setting and moving in a small space.
U9 to adult · 6 to 15 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Pairs passing ladder
Pairs pass between two cones and move back a cone every time they complete five clean passes. Self-paced, competitive and easy to set up on any pitch.
U7 to U14 · Pairs (whole squad) players · 10 mins
See the drill →Cone bowling (passing accuracy)
Players pass at cones to knock them over, like bowling. A brilliant first passing game for the youngest players: every pass has a target and a reward.
U5 to U9 · 4 to 20 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Split the defenders pass
Pairs pass to each other through a gap between two defenders who shuffle to close it. Teaches the disguised, firm pass that splits a line.
U9 to adult · 6 to 12 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Wall passing (practise anywhere)
Pass against a wall, control the rebound and go again, with a target to hit. The simplest way for players to practise passing at home or before training.
U6 to adult · 1 or more players · 10 mins
See the drill →Three-player passing weave
Three players move up the pitch passing and running behind the receiver in a weave. Builds passing on the move, timing and support angles.
U11 to adult · Groups of 3 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Receive across the body (box)
Players on the corners receive with the back foot and pass on to the next corner, opening their body every time. Builds the first touch that lets players play forward.
U9 to adult · 4 to 8 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Lofted passes to target zones
Players chip or loft the ball over a cone barrier into a partner's target zone. Teaches the lofted pass and the chip used to switch play or find a runner.
U12 to adult · Pairs or threes players · 10 mins
See the drill →Check, set and spin
A player checks towards the passer, sets the ball back first time, then spins to receive a pass in behind. The movement every midfielder and striker needs.
U10 to adult · Groups of 3 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Clock passing race
Teams pass the ball round a circle of teammates as fast as they can; one player runs a lap while the ball goes round. Competitive passing for young teams.
U7 to U13 · 8 to 20 (teams of 4 to 5) players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Pass through the lines
Teams try to play from their defensive zone, through a midfield zone, to a target in the final zone. Teaches patience, angles and when to play the forward pass.
U11 to adult · 8 to 14 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Long-short-long passing pattern
Players combine in a line: a long pass to the far player, a short set back to a middle player, then long again. Practises the change of rhythm between long and short passing.
U11 to adult · 4 to 8 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Beat the press: 2v1 in a channel
Two players pass their way through a channel past a pressing defender to stop the ball on the end line. Teaches when to pass, angle of support and passing under pressure.
U9 to adult · 6 to 15 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Outside-of-the-foot passing
Pairs practise short and bent passes with the outside of the foot round a cone. A quick, disguised pass that's hard to read, perfect for older players.
U11 to adult · Pairs players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Passing square with two balls
Two balls go round the square at once: one to the left and one across, so players must scan and time their movement. A step up from the basic pass-and-move square.
U10 to adult · 8 to 12 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Drive, pass and time the run
A player drives forward with the ball while a teammate times a curved run along a cone 'offside line', then receives in behind. Teaches the run and the pass to happen at the same moment.
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Vertical pass and support ladder
Three players in a vertical line: pass forward, lay off, play forward again while the next player moves to support. Builds the rhythm of playing forward and supporting the ball.
U10 to adult · 6 to 9 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Bounce off the midfielder, play forward
Two groups work at once around three midfielders in the middle: pass in, get the bounce pass, play forward to the far player. Midfielders rotate so they're always on the move and checking their shoulders.
U10 to adult · 8 to 13 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Dribble, pass, follow (square warm-up)
Dribble at speed to the first cone, pass into a central player who sets it into the next corner, then follow. A busy, rhythmic warm-up with lots of touches and movement.
U8 to adult · 6 to 12 players · 10 mins
See the drill →L-shape passing: three ways
An L-shaped passing pattern with three versions: play round the corner, a one-two to go round the corner, and a third-man pass. Two balls go at once to keep the tempo high.
U10 to adult · 8 to 10 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Double diamond into mini-goals
Two balls go round a passing diamond at the same time and each pattern ends with a pass into a mini-goal. A finishing target keeps the passes sharp and gives the pattern a purpose.
U10 to adult · 8 to 12 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Switch, cross, finish warm-up
The ball moves across the pitch with three or four passes, then a wide player crosses for two forwards who finish. A warm-up that ends with goals, using every type of pass.
U11 to adult · 7 to 12 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →Drop into the pocket and drive
A wide player passes inside to a central player who has dropped into space, then the central player turns and drives forward with the ball. Teaches midfielders and forwards to come short and turn.
U10 to adult · 8 to 12 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Building a session?
Tell the free session planner your age group, numbers and what to work on, and it builds a full session from drills like these.
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