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U9 · Pass and move block · Week 6 of 6 · Game day
Game day
A session that is all game. Change one condition at a time, tally what you see, and check whether the block has worked.
- Pass, then moveAfter you pass, move to a new space straight away.
- Pass with weightPass firmly enough to arrive, softly enough to control.
- Know the next oneKnow who you will pass to next before the ball arrives.
The session in five lines
ArriveJoin the Game while you set up (8 min)
Game 1No conditions · coach watches (12 min)
Game 2Condition 1 · the week 1 rule (8 min)
Game 3Condition 2 · develop it (12 min)
Game 4No conditions · did it work? (15 min)
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Minutes per stage. The last block is the conditioned game or the closing game. The dashed block is for changeovers and water.
Kit
GoalsUse small goals, or two cones for each goal. 5 ballsOne per group, plus a spare. BibsThree colours, for two teams and goalkeepers.
Different numbers?
| Players | Groups | Who plays |
|---|
| 6 | 1 | One group of six: 3v3 |
| 7 | 2 | 4 and 3 |
| 8 | 2 | 4 and 4 |
| 9 | 2 | 5 and 4 |
| 10 | 2 | 5 and 5 |
| 11 | 2 | 6 and 5 |
| 12 | 2 | 6 and 6 |
No more than eight players per adult. With nine or more, make a third group rather than leaving players waiting.
1Arrive
Join the Game while you set up
8 min
Kit2 goalsA ballBibs
Take a bib from the bag and join the game in progress. Today the whole session is a game, and the coach tallies.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: Who moved after passing?
2Move game 1: as it comes
No conditions · coach watches
12 min
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
Play 5v5 with no conditions and say nothing about movement. The coach tallies whether the passer moves after each pass. This is the baseline for the block.
Ask: What did you notice?
3Move game 2: pass and move
Condition 1 · the week 1 rule
8 min
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
Play 5v5 where a goal only counts if the scorer passed and moved earlier in the move. Tally in the same way.
Ask: What did you notice?
4Move game 3: four touch it
Condition 2 · develop it
12 min
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
Play 5v5 where a goal only counts if four different players touched the ball. Tally in the same way.
Ask: What did you notice?
5Move game 4: free again
No conditions · did it work?
15 min
Compare the games
Stood stillMoved lateMoved at once
What did you see?
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
Back to a free game with no conditions, the same as game 1. Say nothing about movement and tally in the same way. If the summary shows a higher percentage than game 1, the block is working. This is a rule of thumb, not a test.
What the block is forBy week 6 the team should pass and move at pace without stopping. If not, repeat week 3 or week 4 and play this session again.
Ask: Show me one thing you can do now.
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.
Being an option
Give the player with the ball a pass to play and a clear line.
What good looks like
- Stand where the passer can see you, with a clear line that no defender is in.
- Open your body to the ball so you can receive facing the pitch.
- After you pass, move to a new space straight away.
If you see this, try this
- Hides behind a defenderMove sideways until there is a clear line to the ball.
- Stands still after passingPass, then move: the next pass should be easy.
More detail
- Triangles make passing easy: three players with a short pass available on each side.
- Be an option ahead of the ball and an option behind it, so the passer always has two choices.
Ask the players
- Could the passer see you? Was there a clear line?
Change it
Easier: Fewer defenders, or a bigger area.
Harder: A smaller area, or defenders who press the passer.
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 3.
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.
Keeping the ball
Stay close, move after you pass, and always give two options.
What good looks like
- Two touches or fewer, so the ball is safe.
- Move after you pass, to give another option.
- Spread out around the ball, so a defender cannot cover two players.
If you see this, try this
- Holds the ball too longLook before you receive, so the next pass is already planned.
- Everyone bunches togetherSpread out around the ball, so each pass has an angle.
More detail
- Count passes. Make a defender who wins the ball swap in.
- The FA suggests asking for a different type of pass each time to build variety.
Ask the players
- Who was free, and how did you spot it?
Change it
Easier: More players in the group, or a bigger area.
Harder: Fewer touches, a smaller area, or another defender.