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U10 · Passing block · Week 1 of 6 · Introduce

Triangle passing

Use this as the first session of a passing block. Start with a drill, build to a match.

Block weeks123456

The session in five lines

  1. ArriveJoin the Game while you set up (8 min)
  2. Triangle passingSlow first, then quicker. (12 min)
  3. Timed challengeMost successful passes in one minute, then beat it. (8 min)
  4. 3 v 1Win the ball back. First team to win it scores. (12 min)
  5. Match with conditionsGoal after 5 passes is worth 2, after 10 passes is worth 3. (15 min)

Minutes per stage. The last block is the conditioned game or the closing game. The dashed block is for changeovers and water.

Kit

3 conesPlus 2 goals. Use small goals, or two cones for each goal.
2 ballsOne per triangle. Plus the match ball.
BibsTwo colours for the two teams.
Different numbers?
PlayersGroupsTriangles
63 + 32, one player on each cone
74 + 32, the group of 3 has one on each cone
84 + 42, as drawn
93 + 3 + 33, one player on each cone
104 + 3 + 33
114 + 4 + 33
124 + 4 + 43, as drawn

Nine or more? Make a third triangle rather than leaving players waiting. That needs 9 cones and 3 balls. A group of 3 puts one player on each cone and everyone still follows their pass. In the timed challenge, each group counts its own passes. In 3 v 1, each group sends a defender on to the next triangle.

Arrive

Join the Game while you set up

8 min

Kit2 goalsA ballBibs

Take a bib from the bag and join the game in progress. It starts at 1v1 or 2v2 and grows.

While the children play, set up the area for the next game.

Ask: Who is open to pass to?

Triangle passing

Technical drill · slow first

12 min

Kit3 conesA ball

Set three cones in a triangle with one player on two of the cones and two players on the start cone. The player with the ball passes to the next cone, then follows their pass and joins that cone. The receiver controls it on the back foot and passes on to the next cone, and follows their pass too. The ball keeps going round the triangle and everyone moves round with it, which is why there are four players on three cones.

Don't move on until the technique is thereGo slowly at first. Speed it up once the players understand the idea and manage the technique.

Coaching points

Weight
The pass arrives at a speed the receiver can control.
Direction
Aim for the receiver's back foot.
Receive
Take it on the back foot, then pass forward to the next player.

Ask: What can you see before the ball arrives?

Timed challenge

One minute · beat your score

8 min

Groups
60seconds

    KitThe same 3 conesA ball per groupBibs, two colours

    Run the triangles as two groups, blue and yellow, or as three groups with red added if you have nine or more players. Time them for one minute and count the successful passes each group makes. Then each group has to beat its own score.

    Keep calling the same three points: weight, direction, receive.

    Ask: When is the best moment to pass?

    3 v 1

    Win the ball back

    12 min

    Groups
    KitThe same 3 conesA ball per groupBibs, two colours

    Send one player from each group into the other group. Each triangle is now 3 passers against 1 defender. The defender tries to win the ball. The first team to win the ball back wins a point. With three groups, each group sends its defender on to the next triangle.

    Keep calling the same three points: weight, direction, receive.

    Ask: Where is the defender looking?

    Match with conditions

    Passing pays

    15 min

    KitMatch ballBibs, two colours2 goals

    Move into a match for 15 minutes and add conditions that focus on passing. A goal scored after 5 passes is worth 2. A goal scored after 10 passes is worth 3. A goal with fewer passes is worth 1. Encourage the players to pass the ball.

    Coaching points throughout: weight, direction, receive.

    Ask: Who is free, and how do you know?

    Go deeper

    Optional. The detail behind the three coaching points, for when you want more. Draft 1: starting points for a coach to adjust, not rules.

    Passing: weight and direction

    The pass should arrive at a speed the receiver can control, on the side away from pressure.

    Most useful in stage 2.

    What good looks like

    • Weight: the receiver can control it without breaking stride.
    • Direction: to the receiver's back foot, the foot furthest from you, on the side away from the nearest defender.
    • Move the ball out of your feet first, to create the angle for a longer pass.

    If you see this, try this

    • Too hard, and the receiver's touch bounces awaySofter, or earlier, so the receiver is not rushed.
    • Too soft, and a defender steps inFirmer, and look at the defender before you pass.

    More detail

    • Longer passes need a bigger swing and a good strike through the middle of the ball. They also need a good first touch to match.
    • Scan before the ball arrives, then choose the pass. There is often more than one good answer.

    Ask the players

    • Why that pass? What else was on?

    Change it

    Easier: More space and time on the ball.

    Harder: Reduce the space, or add a defender who tries to intercept.

    Stopping and receiving

    Take the ball under control so the next action is easy.

    Most useful in stage 2.

    What good looks like

    • Receives on the back foot, the foot furthest from the passer, so the hips open to the pitch.
    • Sets up on a half-turn, so the touch can go forward or away from pressure.
    • Uses the body to shield the ball from the nearest defender.

    If you see this, try this

    • Receives on the near foot and turns back towards the passerCheck your shoulder, open up, and use the far foot.
    • Stands flat and square to the passApproach at an angle so you arrive on the half-turn.

    More detail

    • The FA suggests three moments: before the pass make contact with the receiver, during it think about what the receiver wants, after it offer support.
    • Choose between controlling and playing first time. Both are right at times.

    Ask the players

    • What did you see before you received?

    Change it

    Easier: More time and space, or no defender.

    Harder: Reduce the space or add a defender who presses on the pass.

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    Draft 1. Cone spacing is not added yet.