Passing & Receiving -- http://www.insidesoccer.com/is-web/movie?id=438&pro=1 -- Here is a simple, straightforward exercise that allows players to practice passing and receiving the ball. When passing in this exercise, the players should use the inside of their foot and try to be as accurate as possible. Players should also be encouraged to focus on the weight of their pass (they don't want the pass to be too hard or too soft for obvious reasons). When receiving, the player wants to get in the habit of not simply stopping the ball at their feet, but rather setting themselves up for what they want to do next, in this case a pass. Their first touch should be out in front of them and if possible slightly angled in the direction of the foot they want to pass with.
Following Your Pass -- http://www.insidesoccer.com/is-web/movie?id=349 -- In this exercise, players work on their passing technique and rotate around the square by following their pass after playing the ball. Again, encourage your players to focus on the weight and accuracy of their pass. When they receive the ball, their first touch should be in the direction they want to pass the ball. This is an important concept to introduce to players early on in their development. While possessing the ball at older and more advanced levels of the game, players are discouraged from reacting and making decisions on the ball. Coaches would rather have a player who anticipates and knows what they want to do with the ball before receiving it. Therefore, a players first touch when receiving the ball should be productive and set up their next action. Halfway through the video, the coach advances the exercise by having the players check away from the cone and create space for the pass. This not only serves to lead away a potential defender, but it also helps the receiving player adapt proper body positioning when receiving the ball, allowing them to see the entire field in order to be productive with their next pass. At appropriate times, reverse the direction of the passes in order to make the players practice with both feet.
Passing Through Gates -- http://www.insidesoccer.com/is-web/movie?id=262 -- If you think your team is advanced enough to play this possession game, then you should try it because it is a great opportunity for your players to practice quick passing and productive movement. However, most young teams might not be ready for this type of conditioned game, but there is a very good alternative. Just like in the video, set up a number of cone goals inside a playing area. Divide the team up into pairs and each pair should have one ball.
Give the players thirty or forty-five seconds where each pair sees how many times they can pass successfully through a coned goal (they can’t pass through the same goal twice). Each goal counts as a point and each pair should see how many points they can score in the allotted time frame (all pairs are going at the same time so that they are forced to play with their heads up and not bump into one another). Have them go a second and third time and see if they can beat their previous scores. Explain to your players that they can score more goals in the set amount of time by communicating and anticipating. When a teammate receives a pass through the cone, if he or she and their teammate communicate and know where they want to go next, the receiving player can use his or her first touch productively to set up the next scoring opportunity, and thus speeds up the entire process.
2v2 With Three Goals -- http://www.insidesoccer.com/is-web/movie?id=252 -- In this conditioned game, teams of two square off against one another in a small grid with three goals on each end. This game allows players to practice and explore 1v1 attacking and defending, but also promotes good passing and support between teammates. With three goals, often the best scoring opportunity comes from finding your teammate with a good pass to create a quick scoring chance. Note how the coach has a number of balls ready for quick restarts when the ball goes out of play. This limits standing around time.
Possession In Each Half -- http://www.insidesoccer.com/is-web/movie?id=573&pro=1 -- This is a very good conditioned game that introduces your players to the idea of passing to possess the ball. However, when working with young players, it is important to give the team on offense a huge advantage in order to make the exercise work. I would suggest setting up a larger playing area and having five or six players one each team, with the team not in possession sending only one defender. Let the team on offense try to possess the ball for a little while, then switch possession to the other team and reverse roles. In this video, you are watching one of the world’s best U17 teams, so make sure you adjust your expectations accordingly and try to develop the game so that your players find themselves in a good position to be successful.
