Combination Play: Improving 1-2 Combinations (Part II)

Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot

This soccer passing drill for U11–U16 players builds on the basic 1-2 combination with a continuous pattern around a square. The wall pass stays the core skill, but the added movement after each pass teaches players that the combination only works if they sprint into the next picture.

Want more? See all our soccer passing drills or jump to U14 soccer drills for this age group.

Setup

• Mark a grid about 20×25 yards with a cone at each corner.
• Put one player on three of the corner cones.
• Form a short line at the fourth cone - the front of this line starts with the ball.
• Begin with one ball; with older or sharper groups you can run two balls from opposite corners.

How It Works

1. Player A drives a long pass into Player B and follows the pass.
2. Player B lays the ball back to Player A, then sprints around their cone toward Player C.
3. Player A passes to Player C, who plays a first-time ball into Player B's run, then sprints around their own cone.
4. Player B hits a long pass to Player D, and D plays into Player C's run.
5. The pattern repeats continuously around the grid; players follow their pass to the next station.

Coaching Points

• Passes must be accurate and hit with real pace - a soft long ball kills the pattern.
• Constant communication: call for the ball, tell the passer where you want it.
• Move immediately after passing; the sprint around the cone is the drill.

Variations

• Run two balls from opposite corners at the same time.
• Reverse the direction of the pattern so players receive and turn the other way.
• Make all layoffs one-touch.