Improving Combination Play

Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot

Improving Combination Play is a keep-away soccer drill that scores points for exactly the passing pattern you want to see in games: into a target, first-time layoff, out to a third player. With each team owning two diagonal corners, the fastest way to score is to switch the point of attack. It suits U11-U16 teams building a passing identity.

Browse the full possession drills library for more like this, or explore every soccer drill for U14 players.

Setup

• Mark a grid about 40×40 yards - enlarge or shrink it to fit your numbers and skill level.
• Split into two even teams of up to 8, in clearly different bib colors.
• The RED team places one player in one corner of the grid and another in the diagonally opposite corner.
• The BLUE team puts corner players in the two remaining corners.
• All other players start inside the grid.

How It Works

1. The teams inside the grid play keep-away against each other.
2. A team scores a point by passing to one of its own corner players.
3. The corner player must play a first-time ball to a third player on the same team for the point to count.
4. After a successful corner combination, the player who made the entry pass swaps in as the new corner player.
5. Play to a points target or on a timer, and keep score out loud.

Coaching Points

• Play early balls into the corners to change the point of attack before the defense slides across.
• Think one pass ahead - the third player must be moving before the layoff comes.
• Corner players may adjust their position around their corner to create a better angle.
• Insist on firm, accurate entry passes that a teammate can play first-time.

Variations

• Allow corner players two touches if one-touch layoffs are breaking down.
• Limit the inside players' touches to force quicker passing.
• Award double points for scoring in both corners back-to-back to reward full switches.