Passing
Passing Circuit: One-Twos into a Target Goal
Combine quickly and accurately through a sequence of one-twos and diagonals, and time the final pass so the runner takes it in stride and finishes.
Duration
15 min
Total drill time
Players
8
Recommended
Pitch
Full Pitch
Setup space
Level
Intermediate
Skill required
Intensity
Medium
Physical demand
Age band
U11-U12
Any format
Setup & instructions
Two mini goals about 11 metres apart on one end line, with the A line between them with a ball. A middle player (B) on a cone about 7 metres in front of the A line. Two mannequins about 24 metres out and 19 metres apart, with a wide player standing just inside and behind each one, and the next player waiting behind each wide station. A passes into B, who shows to one side and plays it straight back as A moves forward (1-2). A plays a diagonal to the wide player on the far side, who checks away and drops inside to receive. He lays it back first time for B, who arrives on the run, and B plays a diagonal to the other wide player as he comes in front of his mannequin. That player plays it first time inside to the first wide player, who has run across, then spins round the outside of his mannequin. The final pass is timed for that run, and he finishes in the mini goal on his side. Rotate: A goes to B, B joins the line behind the checking player's station, the checking player joins the line on the finishing side, and the finisher collects his ball and rolls it to the front of the A line before joining it. The next rep goes the other way.
Setup time: 5 min
Tactical breakdown
Most passing patterns end with the ball going back to where it started. This one ends with a finish, so every pass is played with the goal in mind, and the last ball has to be good enough to score from.
The circuit links the actions a team uses to get through a block. The 1-2 at the start is the quickest way to move the ball past a man. The diagonal into a wide player who has checked away is how a team switches the point of attack. The lay-off for a teammate arriving on the run is how midfielders play forward without turning. The ball inside to a player running across, then the final pass round the mannequin, is the combination that releases a runner in behind.
Timing matters more than technique once the pattern is learned. The wide player has to check before he shows, not stand and wait. The middle man has to arrive on the lay-off at speed, not receive it standing still. The final pass is released while the finisher is still level with the mannequin, so he runs onto it and finishes in stride rather than checking his run.
The rotation keeps all eight players working and takes everyone through every role. Running it to both sides means every combination is played with both feet, and the players waiting on the far side are already involved in the next rep before the last one has finished.
If the quality drops, allow two touches for a block, then go back to one touch on the returns and the lay-offs.
How to run this drill
- Set out the goals, the middle cone and the mannequins. Two mini goals about 11 metres apart on an end line with the A line between them, a cone 7 metres in front for the middle player, and two mannequins about 24 metres out and 19 metres apart. A wide player stands just inside and behind each mannequin, with the next player waiting behind him.
- Play the 1-2 with the middle player. A passes into B, who shows to one side and plays it straight back as A moves forward to meet it.
- Diagonal to the checking player. A plays a diagonal to the wide player on the far side, who checks away and then drops inside to receive.
- Lay it off for the runner. The wide player lays it back first time into the path of B, who arrives on the run and plays a diagonal to the other wide player in front of his mannequin.
- Ball inside, then the final pass. He plays it first time inside to the first wide player, now running across, and spins round the outside of his mannequin. The final pass is played while he is still level with it.
- Finish and rotate. He finishes in the mini goal on his side, collects the ball and rolls it to the front of the A line. A goes to B, B joins the line on the checking side and the checking player the line on the finishing side. The next rep goes the other way.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- B shows to one side to open the angle, and plays the return first time
- Wide players check away before they come to the ball
- Open the body on the receive so the first touch or pass goes forward
- The lay-off and the ball inside are played into the runner's path, not to his feet
- Play the final pass while the runner is still level with the mannequin, so he takes it in stride
Common mistakes
- Wide players standing still, so the diagonal arrives at a flat-footed receiver
- Playing the lay-off behind the runner, which kills his momentum
- The finisher starting his run before the ball inside is played
- Releasing the final pass late, so the runner has to stop and wait
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Make every pass one touch apart from the finish
- Replace the mini goals with a full goal and a keeper
- Add a passive defender who tracks the finisher's run round the mannequin
Regressions
- Allow two touches on every pass
- Bring the mannequins closer to the middle to shorten the diagonals
- Run it to one side only until the pattern is learned
Explore more drills
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