Passing Drills

Sharp passing is the backbone of every good team. These soccer passing drills develop accuracy, proper weight of pass, first-time passing and combination play - from simple partner exercises for young players to fast one-two patterns for advanced teams. Every drill includes a diagram, setup guide and the coaching points that make the session stick.

58 drills
HomeDrillsPassing
medium

3v3 Plus 3

3v3 Plus 3 is a soccer possession drill for U10–U16 where two teams of three combine as a six to keep the ball from the third team.

15 min9 playersU10–U16
medium

Four Corners Passing Game

The Four Corners Passing Game is a soccer passing drill for U10–U16 that rewards teams for changing the point of attack.

20 min8–16 playersU10–U16
medium

5v2 Rotating Defenders

5v2 Rotating Defenders is a soccer possession drill for U9–U16 built on a classic rondo shape with one twist: the defenders arrive in fresh pairs, ball first.

15 min9+ playersU9–U16
medium

Split the Defenders Passing Game

Split the Defenders is a soccer passing drill for U11–U14 that puts a price on the game's most valuable pass: the one that goes between two defenders.

15 min6 playersU11–U14
easy

Angle of Support Possession Drill

The Angle of Support Possession Drill is a soccer passing drill for U8–U12 that teaches the single habit good possession teams share: always give the ball two options.

10 min3+ playersU8–U12
medium

Finding the Target Player

Finding the Target Player is a soccer passing drill for U11–U16 that trains midfielders and defenders to lift their eyes and play forward with purpose.

20 min10+ playersU11–U16
hard

Attacking from the Midfield

Attacking from the Midfield is a soccer attacking drill for U12–U16 that teaches midfielders their most match-changing habit: following the pass into the attack.

25 min12+ playersU12–U16
medium

Speed of Play Warm-Up

The Speed of Play Warm-Up is a soccer passing drill for U10–U16 that primes both feet and brain before a speed-of-play session.

15 min6+ playersU10–U16
medium

Accuracy Passing Under Pressure

Accuracy Passing Under Pressure is a soccer passing drill for U11–U16 that tests technique when the legs are burning.

15 min6 playersU11–U16
medium

Defensive Overlapping Drill

The Defensive Overlapping Drill is a pattern-play exercise that gets fullbacks running forward into the attack.

20 min5+ playersU11–U16
hard

Target Players

Target Players is an advanced soccer possession drill built around finding the forward and connecting with him.

25 min8 or 16 playersU12–U16
medium

4v4 Playing Wide Out of the Back

4v4 Playing Wide Out of the Back trains one of soccer's most valuable habits: after winning the ball in your own half, play it wide instead of forcing it through the middle.

25 min8 playersU10–U16
medium

Improving Combination Play

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.

25 min8–16 playersU11–U16
easy

Circle Keep-Away Passing Game

The Circle Keep-Away Passing Game is a young player's introduction to possession soccer.

15 min8+ playersU7–U12
medium

3v1 Early Support

3v1 Early Support is a possession soccer drill that isolates one idea: start supporting before your teammate even receives the ball.

20 min6 playersU10–U16
easy

Hitters and Dodgers

Hitters and Dodgers is a dribble-and-pass game that young players fall in love with instantly.

15 min8+ playersU5–U9
easy

Soccer Ball Smash

Soccer Ball Smash turns passing accuracy into a game your youngest players will beg to repeat.

15 min2+ playersU6–U10
medium

4v4 Plus Target Players

4v4 Plus Target Players takes the classic small-sided game and gives it a purpose: find your target.

20 min10 playersU9–U16
medium

2v2+1: Two vs. Two Plus a Target Attacker

The 2v2+1 game is a situational soccer attacking drill for U10–U16 players that lets you coach both sides of the same moment: attackers exploiting a numbers-up advantage, and defender pairs surviving a numbers-down scramble.

25 min10+ playersU10–U16
medium

5v2 Angle of Support Passing Drill

The 5v2 is a soccer passing drill for U9–U16 players and one of the best tools there is for teaching support angles.

15 min7+ playersU9–U16
medium

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

This soccer passing drill for U11–U16 players builds on the basic 1-2 combination with a continuous pattern around a square.

15 min5+ playersU11–U16
medium

2v1 Dribbling with Opposition

2v1 Dribbling with Opposition is a soccer dribbling drill for U8–U14 players built around one decision: dribble or pass? With a numbers-up attack against a single defender, the player on the ball gets constant repetitions of reading pressure and picking the option that actually beats the defender..

15 min3+ playersU8–U14
medium

Improving Speed of Play: Passing Drill

This soccer passing drill for U8–U14 players attacks slow play at its source.

15 min4+ playersU8–U14
medium

2v1 and 1v1 Possession Game

This 2v1 and 1v1 game is a soccer possession drill for U9–U16 players that teaches two ideas at once: keeping the ball under pressure and switching the point of attack to penetrate.

15 min5 playersU9–U16
medium

4v4 Zone Game

The 4v4 Zone Game is a soccer possession drill for U11–U16 teams that gives keeping the ball a clear purpose: play through the middle.

25 min12 playersU11–U16
medium

Goalkeeper Pressure Cooker

The Goalkeeper Pressure Cooker is a soccer goalkeeping drill for U10–U16 keepers that never lets them switch off.

15 min8–12 playersU10–U16
easy

Guard the Castle

Guard the Castle is a soccer passing drill for U6–U10 players disguised as a siege game.

15 min4+ playersU6–U10
medium

One-Two Wall Pass Combination

The one-two is the fastest way through a defender who can't be dribbled.

15 min6+ playersU9–U16
medium

5 Pass Possession Game

Keeping the ball is only half the job - this soccer possession drill makes teams keep it with a purpose.

20 min8+ playersU10–U16
easy

The Passing Name Game

Quick players aren't always the fastest - they're the ones who decide before the ball arrives.

10 min6+ playersU7–U12
easy

Lane Spacing and Separation Game

Young teams swarm the ball - this game makes spreading out the rule instead of the reminder.

20 min8+ playersU7–U10
medium

Soccer Pass and Move Drill

Pass and move is the oldest rule in soccer, and this drill makes it non-negotiable.

15 min12 playersU8–U14
medium

Diamond Passing Combination

The Diamond Passing Combination is a soccer passing drill that flows like a metronome: pass, overlap, first-time layoff, release.

15 min6+ playersU10–U16
easy

Coach's Revenge

Coach's Revenge is a fun soccer warm-up drill that gets young players moving fast while sneaking in agility work.

10 min8+ playersU5–U10
medium

4v2 Angle of Support

4v2 Angle of Support is a soccer possession drill that hammers home three habits: move early, support at a good angle, and always give the ball carrier at least two passing options.

20 min8 playersU10–U16
medium

Line Passing Combination Warm-Up

This soccer passing warm-up drill gets a group of four combining while they travel the length of the field together.

12 min4+ (groups of 4) playersU10–U16
hard

2v2+4 Passing, Possession, and Combination

This 2v2+4 soccer possession drill builds composure in tight spaces.

20 min8 per grid playersU11–U16
easy

Check-In Passing Warm-Up

This soccer passing warm-up drill trains U9-U16 players to check in toward the ball and strike a clean return while moving.

12 min4+ (pairs) playersU9–U16
medium

3v1 Attacking the Goal

3v1 Attacking the Goal is a soccer attacking drill that builds composure in front of goal.

20 min8+ playersU9–U16
medium

Indoor Shooting Drill

This indoor soccer shooting drill makes the walls part of the session.

20 min8+ playersU9–U16
medium

Three-Person Passing Combination

The Three-Person Passing Combination is a soccer passing drill that keeps a trio of U10-U16 players in perpetual motion.

15 min3 per grid playersU10–U16
medium

Combination Play: Improving 1-2 Combinations

This soccer passing drill drills the classic 1-2 combination into your team's habits, and it works well for U10 to U16 squads.

15 min4+ playersU10–U16
medium

Combination Shooting Rotation Drill

This soccer shooting drill for U12 to U16 players ties build-up passing directly to the finish, so shots come off realistic combination play instead of static serves.

20 min10+ playersU12–U16
easy

Indoor Dribbling and Passing Drill

When practice moves inside, this indoor soccer dribbling and passing drill turns the walls into an extra teammate.

10 min3+ playersU8–U14
easy

Partner Pass and Move Warm-Up

The Partner Pass and Move warm-up is a foundational soccer passing drill for U6 to U10 players.

10 min4+ playersU6–U10
medium

3v1 Rotating Defenders

The 3v1 Rotating Defenders game is a small-space soccer possession drill that suits U9 to U16 teams.

15 min6+ playersU9–U16
medium

Passing to Beat the Defender

Passing to Beat the Defender is a competitive soccer passing drill for U9 to U14 teams that rewards finding the gap, not just keeping the ball.

20 min8+ playersU9–U14
hard

Combination Shooting and Finishing Drill

This combination shooting and finishing soccer drill challenges U13 to U16 players with the hardest moment in attacking play: receiving with your back to goal, turning tight, and getting a shot away before the defense recovers.

25 min8+ playersU13–U16
easy

Passing and Receiving Warm-Up

This passing and receiving soccer warm-up suits players from U9 up and adapts to almost any technical theme you want to open practice with.

12 min8+ playersU9–U16
medium

Center Mid Passing Combination 2

Center Mid Passing Combination 2 is a soccer passing drill for U12 to U16 teams that mirrors how central midfielders link play in matches.

15 min6+ playersU12–U16
hard

Combination Shooting with Dummy Run

This combination shooting soccer drill for U12 to U16 players is built around one of the game's slyest moves: the dummy.

20 min8+ playersU12–U16
medium

Line Passing Overlap Warm-Up

The Line Passing Overlap warm-up is a soccer passing drill for U9 to U14 teams that introduces the overlapping run in a simple, repeatable pattern.

12 min8+ playersU9–U14
medium

Circle Passing Combination Drill

The Circle Passing Combination drill is a soccer passing warm-up for U10 to U16 teams that runs two balls at once, so nobody gets to switch off.

12 min8+ playersU10–U16
medium

Combination Shooting Drills

This combination shooting drill gives U11 to U16 soccer players a framework for building up to a strike, with two small passing triangles feeding first-time finishes at goal.

20 min6+ playersU11–U16
medium

Center Mid Passing Combination 1

Center Mid Passing Combination 1 is a soccer passing drill for U10 to U16 teams that puts a central pivot at the heart of a four-corner passing pattern.

15 min9+ playersU10–U16
medium

Triangle Combination Passing Drill

The Triangle Combination Passing drill is a compact soccer passing drill for U9 to U14 players that packs one-twos, receiving angles, and movement into a tiny footprint.

12 min3+ playersU9–U14
medium

Great Attacking Skills

Great Attacking Skills is a soccer attacking drill for U11 to U16 teams built on two adjacent grids and a constantly shifting overload.

20 min5+ playersU11–U16
hard

Circle Passing Overlap Combination

The Circle Passing Overlap Combination is a soccer passing drill for U12 to U16 teams that layers overlapping runs onto a two-ball circle pattern.

15 min8+ playersU12–U16