PAGE  21
by Gary Rue
garyrue@bellsouth.net
 

(Gary's Series of Articles on Teaching Passing)

NOTE:  Gary did not write these exercises and tips with the idea that someone would publish them.  I subscribe to the Soccer-Coach-L e-mail list and Gary is one of the coaches that posts extremely well thought out replies.  These are some of Gary's posts that I collected for use in coaching my own teams.   I approached Gary and he was gracious enough to allow me to publish them here.  If you like what you see or have a question about one of the exercises you can reach Gary at garyrue@bellsouth.net There are 50+ more pages of Gary's posts categorized at the Home Page of Exercises of the Day by Gary Rue. Click here and enjoy.

Passing - Youth Training

  At the recent NSCAA convention, Mike Parsons of the NSCAA Academy presented a State Diploma session on "Striking the Ball" to a group of under 8 players. The session is an excellent example of a way to teach the different surfaces of the foot and to start the development of the passing technique in young players.
     After some fun warm-up exercises of tag (that included problem solving), the players were asked to drop a ball onto their foot, kick it in the air with the top of the foot and catch it in a one touch juggle. The clinician then explained to the players that this part of the foot was called the instep. He asked them to keep their kicks below head height and to keep the ball from spinning. It was emphasized (to the coaches in attendance) that the coach should not expect perfection, but the players should be challenged to improve. Different players were asked to "demonstrate."
     The players were then asked to juggle kick the ball with the inside of their feet, followed by some attempts with the outside of the foot. The players now have a fairly good idea of where the instep, inside and outside of the foot is located.
     Several sets of cones were randomly set up in an area as "gates" 2 yards apart. A pair of players was asked to pass the ball to one another, only the pass had to travel through one of the gates and a different gate had to be used for each pass. The clinician asked them to use the inside of the foot.
     After the example, the whole team was paired up. Their were to keep track of the number of passes they completed through the gates. The clinician asked for hands of "teams" that made some low number of passes and kept raising the number until the maximum was reached. This way, all players were able to raise their hands at some point.
     The players were then asked to do the same thing with the instep and the outside of the foot. The hour and fifteen minute session was ended with a scrimmage.
     Very little instruction was meted out, the players got lots of ball touches, they seemed to have a lot of fun and the coach was able to train some real soccer fundamentals--what else can a coach, parent or player want from a training session.

Passing - Support Foot Position

      The support foot may be the key element in a successful pass. If the support foot is not properly placed, then the kicking foot must adapt to strike the ball, often putting the kicking foot and leg in an inappropriate position.

     Essentially the support or plant foot should be beside the ball at strike time for the instep and inside of the foot passes. In the figure below, the location of the support foot in relation to the ball is detailed.

    _     __
   / \   /  \       /\
  /   ) |    |     //\\
(    ) |    |    //||\\
(   /   \__/    // || \\
  (  )          //  ||   \\
  (__)               ||

     For the inside of the foot, the ball can be slightly forward of the support foot, but the further ahead of the center of the foot, the less the power and control of the pass.

     On the front foot pass, the support may be a couple of inches further away from the side of the ball. Depending on the type and direction of pass, the support foot may a little bit behind the ball. The reason, is to allow the leg swing and the turned foot to get by the support leg as it sweeps through the ball.

     When a pass fails, look to the support for the cause and effect. If the player has "lazy" feet and does not move the support foot into position, the kicking leg has to reach for the ball in front or to the side.

     Stress attention to the support foot and watch accuracy and power improve.

Passing -Pass and Change Lines

    One exercise that works well to train the passing technique in a controlled environment is Pass and Change Lines. Each group should have 3-4 players for maximum touches. Two players (the first one with ball) are across from the third (and fourth?) about 15 yards apart. The player with the ball passes to the player opposite and follows his pass to take up a place in the other "line."

     In the example below, A passes to B and runs to where B is/was; B passes to C and runs to where C is/was (not shown); C passes to D and follows his pass to A's new position; etc.

       ___________________
       |                    |
  C Ao- - - - - >B D <--

     The coach can use this setup to address any of the passing technical points. The coach can stop the exercise, make the technical emphasis and restart the exercise.

     Once the players understand the exercise and the fundamentals, the exercise can be continuous, with the coach giving instructions on what the technique to use to receive and make the next pass. For some examples of instructions by the trainer:

• start with two touch restriction
• inside of the foot
• right foot pass only
• left foot pass only
• receive with one foot, pass with the other
• receive and pass with same foot
• take the ball away several steps to one side and forward on the receptions
• passer runs straight line at passed ball forcing receiver to take ball wide
• receive with outside of the foot and pass with same foot
• receive with inside of the foot and pass with same foot <note: especially watch for players running around the ball to use their favorite foot--force them to use the ball side foot to receive>
• feint in one direction and take ball away in the other direction
• run forward to meet ball, back away as ball is coming, take it away
• receive ball to one side, use front foot pass
• turn and look away from ball after pass, then find it, receive and pass
• receiver turns back to ball and only turns after passer calls player's name (after making the pass)
• receive to one side, scissors with near foot around ball, take away with other foot in other direction and pass
• receive to one side step over with far foot, pivot and take away with near foot and pass
• add weight to passes to make receptions a little tougher
• pop the reception in the air and volley the ball (into a ground pass)
• chip pass for chest or thigh trap reception
• one touch passing
• lines move closer together, then apart (on coach's call)
  

     Only a few of the above variations should be used in any one session, but as one can see, the variations are boundless. Because these exercises are continuous, the coach may want to stop the exercise to explain something, while giving the players a rest break. Remember fatigue kills skill.

     Receiving the ball is a major factor in and may even be more important than the skill of passing. Being able to properly receive the ball is critical to the success of the above passing sequences. Though the receiving skill is not being discussed at any length in this series, the coach cannot separate it from the training of the passing technique.

Passing - Rules of Thumb

    Following are some rule of thumb (ROT) passing guidelines. There certainly are situations where a ROT does not or should not apply. An ROT should be used as a foundation on which to evolve decision making in players and not to be used as unbreakable laws.

• short-short-long--after two short passes a longer third pass should follow. The reason for this ROT is that after two passes of short distance (say less than 15 yards), the defense's shape should be adjusted and pressuring the ball. By playing a long pass, the ball is moved out of the pressure area and into (hopefully)a less defended area, forcing the defense to move and shift again.
  
• pass to the feet of a receiving player that is stationary or moving to the ball--if the player has momentum going to the ball or is not moving, that player will have difficulty reacting a ball that is too wide.
  
• pass into space if the receiving player is moving--a ball into space allows the receiving player to run on it. A pass to the feet of a moving player has very little chance of success as the pass is generally behind the player, negating all advantage of the movement. A ball into space allows the receiver to decide when, where and how to play it.
  
• make the longest, safest pass possible--the longer the pass, the more
  defense will have to adjust.
  
• look to make penetrating passes that have an excellent chance of success - penetration causes the defense to backup and allows the attack to go forward. Penetrate as often and as far forward as possible.
  
• play passes at angles - vertical or horizontal passes change levels in only one dimension, either vertically or horizontally. An angled pass causes the defense to adjust both vertically and horizontally. Also, receiving players are often in better position to receive and handle an angled pass.
  
• pass the ball backwards (drop or negative space pass) to relieve pressure - perhaps the quickest way to move a ball from one side of the field is to drop it back. One of the best ways to open up "windows" for long penetrating passes is to drop the ball back away from pressure. Players that receive a ball played back to them have better opportunities to play it forward
  
• restrict square passes to near the touchline and in the attacking third - an intercepted square pass in the middle of the field is death to a defense as it is hard to recover.
  
• never play the ball across one's goal - see square passing above
  
• the closer a team gets to its attacking goal, the shorter the passing distance--especially in the area on top of the penalty area, the passes at times may be as close as two yards. In contrast, the passes in the back should be 15 yards or more in most cases.
  
• commit defenders before passing - if a player has space in front, the player should carry the ball forward as quickly as possible. As the defense, closes down, the player can then decide if a pass is the best choice. Unless there is an immediate scoring opportunity with a pass, the player should not give up the ball unless the defense has to adjust to the dribbler.
  
• pass to the receiver's foot away from pressure--when passing to a player's feet, choose the side away from the defender to allow the receiver to shield the defender and prevent an interception.
  
• use the appropriate weight and pass type - most receiving players can't handle an instep drive from 10 yards away about knee high. All passes should be firm, but easily to manage. A pass that is difficult to control requires the receiver to take time to ensure it does not get away. Keep the passes rolling on the ground as much as possible.
  
• pass behind defender when possible--when a pass is behind a defender, that defender is out of the picture for a brief period. Passes behind a defender often causes a defender to choose whether to watch the ball or to watch the defender's mark. Anytime defenders must make an on-the-spot
  decision is good for the attack.
  
• play to teammate's preferred foot (when possible) - if all the above are addressed, then the passer may want to consider extending this courtesy to his teammate.

 

Passing - Pass and Change Sequences

      In the same basic pass and change lines setup described previously, there are some other exercises (some fairly complex) that can be done to bring in mobility and tactical movements. These exercises are intended as warm-ups in preparation for other tactical work that involve these movements. At least 4 and sometimes 5 players need to be in each group for these exercises to work:


E C Ao- - - - - > B D

<Note, unless specified differently, the ball always starts with the line that has the most players.>

• front foot - angled one touch front foot passing; passes stay on same diagonal as players essentially run in a continuous loop; change  direction and passing foot
  
• takeover - A dribbles towards B (a little wider path than straight on is preferred); B runs to the outside of A and does a takeover from A and passes (after a dribble touch) to C; A and B switch lines as C restarts the sequence by dribbling towards D
  
• backheel - A plays long ball to B who receives and dribbles back towards C; A makes an arced run past and receives a B backheel pass; A lays off to D who restarts with a long pass to C
  
• check and turn - A checks to B who starts with the ball and receives pass from B; A turns, passes to C; A spins away going to B's line; as A passes to C, B checks to C, receives next pass, turns and plays to D, etc.; later, have the check run be at an angle and not straight on
  
• double pass - A plays to B who one touches back to A (now closer) who
  plays wide to B (like an angled drop); B plays to C who restarts the sequence by playing to D
  
• spin and go - same as double pass, except B spins away and wide from his drop and receives a return pass from A; B lays off to D who plays long pass to C; C restarts the sequence by double passing with D; all players return to their same lines
  
• check and go - A passes to B and checks to B, as B makes reception touch, A spins away and receives pass from B; lays off to D who sends ball back to C to restart sequence; A and B return to same line
  
• wall pass - A passes long ball to B and runs wide, B dribbles and plays a wall pass with A; B lays off return pass to C who passes long ball to D and runs wide, etc. (note, wall passer comes from same line)
  
• overlap - (a fifth player E is needed in the A-C line) A starts dribbling towards C's direction (who starts wide of A), C overlaps and receives pass from A and plays immediately to B (note the dribbler will return to the original line and will be the next overlapper); B dribbles in the direction of D (which signals an overlap), D receives and plays to C who plays to E, who is then overlapped by A, etc.
  
• overlap/wall pass - same as above, except the overlapper immediately
  returns the pass to the dribbler who plays long and follows to the other line; that is, A dribbles, is overlapped by C who returns one touch to A who passes and follows to B
  
• dummy and drop - (ball starts with the two man group) B plays to a checking A who dummies the ball, allowing it to go to C; B runs wide and
  receives (a drop) from C and turns (switches) the ball to D; B runs to the opposite line as A continues to D's line after the dummy; D plays to a checking C to restart the sequence
  
• chip and drop - A plays a long ball to B who (drops) to A who has run wide; A switches the ball back to C who restarts the sequence by chipping the ball to D (A and B switch lines)
  
• curve and square - B checks to ball as A "bends" a ball around B to D (using either the inside or the front foot technique); A moves wide as B moves wide in the opposite direction; D plays to A who plays square to B who plays to C; A and B switch lines as D restarts the sequence by   checking to C
  
• The above exercises are only examples. In these sequences, the coach can
  teach the players the meaning of the terms that the coach (and players) will use to communicate. The key focus should still be the passing fundamentals as the players have to adapt to complex movements. The trainer should be careful not to jump into a complex exercise unless there has been a gradual progression. Of course, the movements can be coached, but ALWAYS maintain excellence in the passing technique.
  
• Watch for poor passes behind or too far in front of receiving players. The weight of the pass is important. Remember, however, if the runs are not wide enough, the angles may be too acute for accurate passing. The trainer needs to adjust the exercise or the player's technique appropriately.

Passing - Accuracy

     To date, the series has dealt with the technique of passing. We now must address the most important part of the pass--the results of the pass. If the pass is not accurate in direction, weight and type for the receiver to comfortably control or redirect the pass, then nothing has been positively achieved. Technical excellence should help achieve accuracy, but it cannot be assumed or ignored.

       The following is loosely based upon a 1998 NSCAA Convention session featuring Alvin Corneal on Clinical Accuracy in Passing.

       Proper technique does not have as much to do with physical development or strength as much as with rhythm, feel, time, understanding, and finesse. A passer must be able to play so that the recipient is comfortable with the pass s/he receives. Passes to the wrong space often result in collisions with the opponent and rushed decision making after receiving the ball. Too often, players pass in the direction of a teammate, instead of to their teammate. Players should not practice passes in isolation; that is they must combine passing with running to mimic match conditions.   Each player must get in the habit of passing and moving, not just passing and watching. The pass must be practiced together with a move after the pass.

Corneal used the following warm-up exercise to address passing accuracy:

Zig-Zag Wall Drill 

Two lines 25 yd apart, Seven players (half the team) lined up 10 yards apart, 4 one side 3 on the other. x = dribblers, o = balls. ABC... target players.


          ox ox ox ox ox ox ox

A

             B

C

             D

E

             F

G


Player (x) dribbles toward player A, and makes a pass. A returns one-touch pass to x from 5-7 yards and upon receipt, x turns quickly, and dribbles toward player B, makes the pass and receives a return pass from B, and then turns to dribble/pass to C, etc. Sprint back to starting point after complete seventh pass.
 

Coaching points:

• Emphasis on simple accuracy important to game. Pleasing to the eye. If you insist on accurate passing at your level, you will have a chemistry in soccer.
• The target player (A, B, etc.) makes the first touch in direction of next target player to create time for x move towards the next player.
• Each pass is to be absolutely and totally accurate.  Don't worry about speed at first.  Stop whenever there is a bad pass.  As there is no opponent, no pressure, passes should be accurate.
• Recipient must be comfortable.   Passes should be to feet, not to knees or wide.
• Identify to the player why the pass is inaccurate?
  

      The next exercise worked on timing passes and runs. The x players passes to target player (A) and runs behind and around that target player (overlaps and receive the ball back in space. After series of passes, x should finish with a shot on goal. Then, dribble back to start.

        Coaching points:

• The target receiver plays his first towards the passer (to open space
  for x to overlap into)
• The target receiver should develop a sense for the x's run.
• x must talk to the target player to tell him when to play ball the back.
• The target player must be comfortable in holding on to the ball before passing.
  

       The exercise above is not special. The coach can create an environment where any exercise can be used to stress accuracy and excellence. If the coach does not demand excellence, especially in low pressure exercises, then the coach should not be surprised if the players do not perform under pressure.

Passing - Movement

      A key ingredient of a good passing game is player movement. There are two types of positive movement. The first type is towards the ball. This is also called "showing" for the ball. The second type of movement is away from the ball. This type of movement stretches out the defense or causes the defense to have to adjust.

       Showing for the ball is characterize by a quick burst of movement towards the ball at the time. This type of run demands the ball to be played to the feet of the player showing.

        Runs away from the ball are often into undefended space. These runs usually provide a long pass opportunity. Passes should be targeted into space for the player to run onto.
 
        Players must be trained to constantly adjust their position based on the
ball position and location of the other players. When one player moves, this generally creates space for another player to move into or exploit.

• Following is one exercise progression to train players to move:
  
• 4v0 in a 20x15 area; on each pass, the receiver is the only player that does not have to move to different space; the receiver should always play two-touch. Players are expected to check to the ball, run wide in support or stretch out as far away from the ball as possible. Ask the players to overlap, do takeovers or double passes.
  
• Progress to 4v1. Wall passes, overlaps or checks to the ball can be used as restrictive passing situations. Movement by all players should still be stressed.
  
• Add a second defender. The attackers can try to split the defenders with a completed pass for points. The passing should be quicker, as well as the player movement.
  
• 4v4+2 on two goals in a 40x60 area; the two neutral players are attackers that have limited touches. The attackers should be encouraged to constantly check to the ball or make long off-ball runs.
  
• 8v8 game; stress overall player movement.