19 Jul 2010

Football Coaching to improve short passing, receiving and support

The ability for players to receive the ball, to pass accurately and quickly over short distances and to move to support the player on the ball are basic fundamentals of football.

In the World Cup, Spain passed the ball over short distances better than any other team. They kept their passing short, sharp and accurate. Players who didn’t have the ball were always trying to find space and to provide support for the player on the ball, so they always had two or three passing possibilities.

It is important that young players develop this simple technique and skill. As a football coach, you should focus on ensuring the players practice the following:

1. Players on toes and able to move quickly to receive the pass. Make a bad pass a good one
2. Early verbal and non-verbal communication from the player receiving the pass
3. Control the ball out of feet and in front
4. Head up, picture the pass. Connect with who is going to receive the pass
5. Slight angle of approach to the ball
6. Non-kicking foot alongside the ball
7. Body shape – compact and over the ball
8. Strike the ball with a firm inside of the foot and through the middle- centre of the ball
9. Kicking foot follows through the target
10. Decision on first time pass or pass and control
11. Use both feet

Below is a simple session that will help the players improve their technique of receiving, passing and support over short distances.

To progress the session, make it a competition. This will challenge the players and make it more fun

SHORT PASSING TECHNIQUE – COMPETITION IN PAIRS

DESCRIPTION

A technique drill to improve short passing and control.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this drill is to improve a player’s first touch, passing accuracy with both feet, and getting their head up to picture the pass.

ORGANISATION

• Players to go into pairs with one ball between them
• Each group has their own grid, the size of the grid can depend on the age and ability of the players, but suggest 10 – 15 yards long x 5 yards wide. Position a cone in the middle of the grid *
• The players have to pass the ball between themselves, making sure they miss the cone in the middle of the grid

1. Two touches, control and pass back.
2. One touch, if the player is comfortable try and pass back to server with one touch. (server’s pass has to be good for a one touch pass back).
3. Two touches- weaker foot, encourage the players to control and pass back with their weaker foot.
4. One touch -Weaker foot, encourage the players to pass back with their weaker foot.
5. Two touches- control with one foot pass back with the other foot.

Three touches- using the outside of foot- players control the ball with the inside, push the ball away with the outside then pass back to the server, all with one foot. Repeat with other foot.

KEY COACHING

• Players on toes and able to move quickly to receive the pass.
• Verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Control the ball out of feet.
• Head up, picture the pass.
• Slight angle of approach.
• Non-kicking foot alongside the ball.
• Body shape – compact and over the ball.
• Strike the ball with a firm inside of the foot and through the middle- centre of the ball.
• Kicking foot follows through the target.
• Pass must miss the central cone

PROGRESSIONS

• Control to the side and pass diagonally across, missing the cone
• Control the ball to the side and pass down the channel, missing the cone
• Receiving player to move and communicate to receive the pass

COMPETITION – How many successful passes can each pair make, without the ball hitting the central cone or going out of the passing area?