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.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- A circle of cones about 15 metres across, one player in the middle.
- The rest stand around the outside; one ball.
Equipment: Cones, 1 to 2 balls
How it works
- Outside player passes into the centre and follows to take the centre spot.
- Centre player opens up, receives and passes out to a different player.
- Keep it flowing; add a second ball when it's smooth.
Coaching points
- Centre player: check your shoulder before the ball arrives.
- Receive on the back foot and turn in one touch.
- Pass in with pace so the centre can play quickly.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Two touches in the middle
- Bigger circle
Make it harder
- One-touch out
- Two centre players and two balls
- Passive defender behind the centre player
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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See the drill โSwitching play: 4v4 + 2 across three zones
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See the drill โThird-man passing pattern (Y shape)
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See the drill โReceiving 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.
See the drill โScanning 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.
See the drill โ