One of the most important skills in soccer is passing. A well-placed pass can create scoring opportunities, open up space for teammates, and help to keep possession of the ball. However, passes can also be easily intercepted or misplaced. As a result, players need to practice their passing skills regularly.
As a soccer coach, you’re always looking for new and innovative drills to keep your players engaged and improve their skills. It can be tough to find quality soccer passing drills that are both challenging and engaging for your players.
Soccer passing drills are the perfect solution. This blog post contains the best soccer passing drills available, complete with step-by-step instructions.
Hidden Player Drill
One effective drill for improving passing is the Hidden Player Drill. This drill requires two lines of players, each about 10 yards apart. The first player in each line starts with the ball and passes it to the second player in line.
The second player then quickly passes it back to the first player before turning and sprinting to the end of the line. Meanwhile, the first player hides the ball behind their back before passing it to the third player in line.
The third player then passes it back to the first player, who repeats the process with the fourth player in line. This drill continues until all of the players have had a chance to practice their passing skills.
This drill not only helps players to improve their accuracy and placement but also forces them to think quickly and make decisions under pressure. As a result, it is an excellent way to improve passing skills for both novice and experienced players alike.
Angled Approach Drill
The Angled Approach Drill is one such drill, and it is designed to help players master the art of passing to a moving target. The drill begins with two players positioned about ten yards apart. One player starts with the ball and passes it to the other player, who then makes a diagonal run toward the first player.
The first player must adjust their angle of approach to make an accurate pass, and the second player must use proper technique to control the ball. This drill can be repeated several times, with the players swapping roles after each pass.
Pass Around the Square
One great passing drill to try is Pass Around the Square. You’ll need four cones and a partner for this drill. First, put the cones in a square formation, about five yards apart. Then, start passing the ball around the square, making sure to hit each cone.
As you get better at the drill, you can increase the speed of your passes. This drill is a great way to work on your accuracy and control.
Timing the Pass
One of the most important skills in soccer is passing, and timing is crucial to executing a successful pass. If the passer kicks the ball too early, the receiver may not be in a position to control it.
If the passer kicks the ball too late, the opposing team may intercept it. The key is to strike a balance between these two extremes.
One drill that can help develop this skill is to set up two cones about 10 yards apart. The passer starts with the ball at one cone and the receiver starts at the other. The aim is for the passer to kick the ball so that it arrives at the second cone just as the receiver reaches it.
This drill can be repeated going in both directions to ensure that both right-footed and left-footed players get practice passing.
Pass Around the Square
Another simple drill that can be used to improve passing is “Pass Around the Square.” The drill is performed by having four players form a square with one ball in the middle.
The aim of the drill is for the players to keep the ball moving between them by passing it to the player on their left. The drill should be performed for a set amount of time, or until a certain number of passes have been made.
This drill can be made more challenging by increasing the size of the square, or by adding additional balls to the mix. With some practice, this drill can help players to develop their passing skills and become more confident on the soccer field.
The Beckham Switch
Anyone who’s watched David Beckham play knows that he’s a master of the curved ball. Of all his trademark moves, one of the most impressive is the “Beckham switch,” in which he passes the ball to a teammate on the opposite side of the field with a perfect arc. It looks like magic, but it’s a result of careful practice and precision.
Fortunately, there are ways for mere mortals to learn this move. The key is to start with simple passing drills and then progress to more complex ones. For example, you might start by having two players stand on opposite sides of a small square.
One player passes the ball across the square to the other, who then passes it back. Once both players have mastered this basic drill, they can move on to something more challenging, like passing the ball back and forth while moving around the square.
Three Man Weave
One drill that is commonly used to improve passing skills is the three-man weave. The drill begins with three players lined up side by side, each with a ball at their feet. The first player passes the ball to the second, who then passes it to the third. The third player then passes it back to the first, and the process is repeated.
As the drill progresses, the players should move quickly and accurately, making sure that each pass is received cleanly.
Circuit Passes
If you’re looking to improve your passing accuracy, circuit passes are a great drill to start with. To set up, create a square with cones or markers placed about five yards apart. Start at one cone and pass the ball to the adjacent cone, then continue around the square until you’ve made four passes.
The key is to focus on accuracy rather than power, so make sure you’re passing the ball squarely to the center of each cone. Once you’ve completed the circuit, start again but this time try to do it as quickly as possible.
As your passing improves, you can increase the number of circuits you complete as well as the speed at which you do them.
Passing Carousel
The Passing Carousel is suitable for both individual players and groups. To set up the drill, place several cones in a circle, with each cone around 2-3 yards apart. The player starts at one cone and passes the ball to the player at the next cone, before moving to the next cone themselves.
The player then continues to move around the circle, passing the ball to different players as they go. This drill can be made more challenging by increasing the number of cones, or by adding defenders.
It is also possible to vary the distance between the cones, depending on the level of the players.
Hit the Bulls Eye
One simple drill that can be done at home is known as “Hit the Bulls Eye.” To set up the drill, all you need is a soccer ball and two cones. Place the cones about five yards apart, and then stand in between them.
Take a few steps back, and then kick the ball towards one of the cones. The goal is to hit the cone with the ball, and then have it bounce back towards you.
After a few practices runs, you should be able to hit the cone consistently. Once you have mastered this drill, you can increase the distance between the cones to challenge yourself further.
Passing Lanes
Proper passing is one of the most important soccer skills. By making the right pass, a team can keep possession of the ball and put pressure on the opposing team. However, making a successful pass requires more than just kicking the ball to a teammate. It also requires good vision and an understanding of passing lanes.
A passing lane is simply an open space where a player can pass the ball without it being intercepted. When looking for a teammate to pass to, players should always be aware of potential passing lanes.
The best way to practice this skill is to set up a series of cones or markers and have players attempt to make passes between them. This drill will help players learn to scan the field for open spaces and make accurate passes.
Closest to the Line
Every soccer player knows that passing is an essential part of the game. But what’s the best way to practice passing? One great drill is called “Closest to the Line.”
The set-up is simple: you’ll need a group of players and two lines of cones, about 10-15 yards apart. The first player in each line starts with the ball. On your signal, they’ll pass the ball to the player in the other line who is closest to the cones (without moving them). Then that player will pass to the next player in line, and so on.
The object of the drill is to make fast, accurate passes while under pressure. It’s a great way to sharpen your passing skills and learn to think quickly on your feet.
Four Corners Passing
One of the best ways to improve your soccer passing is to run drills that force you to make quick, accurate passes. “Four corners passing” is one such drill that can be done with four players and a ball.
To set up, you’ll need four cones or markers placed in the corners of a square area; the square should be large enough that players can move around freely, but small enough that they can’t take too many touches on the ball.
One player starts in each corner and the player in the middle begins with the ball. The object of the drill is to make a pass to the player in the opposite corner, and then move to take that player’s place.
The player who received the ball then passes it to the player in the next corner, and so on. The key is to make sharp, crisp passes and to keep moving; if a pass is missed or takes too many touches, start over from the beginning.
This drill will help you develop better passing techniques as well as improve your speed and decision-making on the field.
