1. Short Passing/Possession Games

2. Foreword
This isn’t a complete session, just a small collection of passing-themed drills that can last 5-10 minutes each
Some of these drills appear complicated, but if you walk them through the boys will eventually “get it”.
Once they’ve got it, encourage them to play at speed so they get a physical work out as well as passing and receiving practice
I often use these as part of pre-match warm-up, as they seem to “sow the seed” of passing and moving into the boys’ heads for the game

3. Pass & Move 1
Set Up:
10 x 10 square (increase or decrease depending on age and ability) marked out by 4 cones. 1 ball, 3 players.
Play:
Player with the ball passes to one of his team mates and then runs to the vacant cone. Player 2 receives the ball, passes to a team mate, runs to the vacant cone, etc.
Coaching opportunities:
Weight and accuracy of pass, awareness of space, receiving on back foot….
Progressions:
Limit number of touches, pass with weaker foot, receive on back foot turn out as if to run then turn back in to pass

4. Pass & Move 2
Set Up:
6 x 6 diamond (increase or decrease depending on age and ability) marked out by 4 cones. 1 ball, 6 players. Arrange the players so that there are two pairs opposite each other (one with the ball), and two solo players opposite each other as shown
Play:
Player 1 passes to either of the two solo players, and then follows his pass around the outside of the diamond, aiming to receive the ball back just before he arrives at the opposite corner.
Player movement
Ball movement

5. Pass & Move 2 Continued Play:
Solo player #1 passes to the opposite solo player, who then passes back to Player 1 who should receive the pass just before he arrives at his destination

6. Pass & Move 2 Continued Play:
Meanwhile, the two solo players switch positions as soon as they have passed, so they are ready to receive the ball.
Play:
Play then starts again with one of the two players at the bottom end of the diamond, who plays to either of the two solo players, then follows his pass etc
Player movement
Ball movement

7. Possession Game 1 Set Up:
Grid of four 5x5 squares. Two teams of 4 players in bibs. One ball.
Start with one orange player in each square, 3 blue players in one square with the ball, one blue player resting.
Play:
Blues aim to keep possession by passing the ball within the square. Once they have made 5 passes they must pass to an orange player in one of the other squares. If the defender steals the ball he gets a point and must pass to an orange team mate
Coaching opportunities:
Short passing, support play, movement off the ball, switching play
Point scoring:
One point for 5 successful passes, one point for the defender if he steals the ball

8. Possession Game 1 Continued
Play:
Once the ball has been passed to another square, the orange player who was defending takes a rest.
Play:
The two other oranges must run in to support their team mate with the ball
The other three blues move to the three empty squares
One of the active blues follows the ball.
Coaching opportunities:
Short passing, support play, movement off the ball, switching play
Point scoring:
One point for 5 successful passes, one point for the defender if he steals the ball

9. Possession Game 1 Continued
Play:
Now the roles are reversed: oranges aim to keep possession by passing the ball within the square. Once they have made 5 passes they must play to a blue player in one of the other squares
Coaching opportunities:
Short passing, support play, movement off the ball, switching play
Point scoring:
One point for 5 successful passes, one point for the defender if he steals the ball