In recent weeks we have had a few requests for some passing exercises to work on with younger age groups, when looking to refine technique and developing confidence in possession of the ball. We have put together some exercises in the video that are a range of different shapes where passing exercises can be used. My own personal opinion would be to combine these exercises with games where players get exposure to pressure and decisions, and look to challenge them to transfer that into those situations.
Below is a video, along with a brief summary of each exercise.
Passing Squares: This is a good exercise when looking to build confidence with younger players as the distances of passes will remain consistent and allows them to get into a 'flow' when moving the ball. There are a number of variations that can work on combination plays, passing with weaker foot, and 'bounce passes'. (See below)
Passing Circles: This is a good way to work on ball mastery and adding a dribble and an element of freedom into a passing exercise. A coach can add technical requirements like a bounce pass or an aerial service into the outside, whilst encouraging the inside players to get their heads up and find a free player to pass towards. (See below)
Passing Rectangles: This is a good way to paint a picture of a bounce pass into one holding midfielder and then a longer range of pass coming out of that combination. This variation challenges the player not only with differentiating weight of pass and timing of the bounce pass from the central players. These are concepts that will be required for efficient build-up play. (See below)
Passing Hexagons: This is a good way to work on combination play in wide areas of the pitch, as well as a variation in passing distances. A coach can manipulate the space to challenge players with their passing range, along with adding combinations that can work on breaking pressure with bounce passes and up-back-and-through combinations. (See below)
Passing Triangles: This is another 'classic' in terms of traditional training, but very beneficial for working on receiving on angles and, with only four players, you can get lots of repetition with different surfaces and combinations. (See below)
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