5 Pass Possession Game
Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot
Keeping the ball is only half the job - this soccer possession drill makes teams keep it with a purpose. U10–U16 players must string five consecutive passes, then find a neutral target on the end line to score. Awareness, support angles, and speed of play all get stress-tested every possession.
Find similar exercises in our passing drills collection or filter by age with drills for U13 teams.
Setup
- Mark a grid approximately 40×30 yards.
- Split the group into two even teams, plus two neutral players.
- Station one neutral player on each end line of the grid.
How It Works
- The two teams compete for possession inside the grid.
- To score, a team must complete five or more consecutive passes, then play the sixth pass into either neutral player.
- If the opposition touches or wins the ball, the pass count resets to zero.
- When a neutral player receives a scoring pass, they return the ball one-touch to the scoring team, whose count starts over.
- First team to 10 wins; the losers owe push-ups or sit-ups.
Coaching Points
- Heads up before receiving - players should know where teammates are before the ball arrives.
- Speed of play wins this game: quick decisions from the passer and quick movement from supporters.
- The player on the ball needs at least two short support options plus one player stretching the field for depth.
- Support must arrive before the pass is received, not after.
- Constant runs create the space and time that make the fifth and sixth passes possible.
Variations
- Restrict players to two touches, then one touch - exceeding the limit loses possession.
- Change which neutral player can be used: teams must alternate ends for consecutive scores.