Passing and Receiving games (Foundation Ages)

Ball mastery is usually the top priority for coaches who are involved in the early ages of the game. Teaching our players the fundamentals of passing and receiving is usually the base to move onto other topics. I thought it would be useful to share some ideas i have picked up and used over the past couple of years. I have been using the sessions below for u6-u8 but they can of course be adapted to suit. Got any ideas on how these can be progressed for your age group? Let me know!


Passing shapes 

Players working in groups of 3. Each player starts on a side and starts the practice by passing the ball to each other, emphasis on not letting the ball go miles outside of the square. I usually challenge players to get X number of "perfect passes" in, challenge them to do 10 as quick as they can etc.

Progression ideas

• Once you have passed you must move to the free side of the square.
• Ensure that the person on the ball has a player either side of them (support play).
• Play one touch passes when possible. 

 Can be used with different shapes to suit numbers.

Move onto making it opposed. 

Challenges now:

• Try not to let your first touch go back into the square. Why? Defender is in there! 
• If you don't have the ball, try to move so you are not "hiding" behind the defending player.
• Try to play passes away from defender.  

Wall passes

 Usually used as a warm up but can be a good game to begin a passing and receiving session. 4 players begin outside the area as "bounce players" the other players work in the middle with a ball each. Players look to use each player once/twice before finishing, usually make this a bit of a race for the younger players.

 A big emphasis to begin with will be communication; players will try and send 2 or 3 balls at the same bounce player. Must ensure bounce player is ready for our pass!

Challenge players to think about how they can get around quicker,perhaps pass and move into the next quarter.

Importance of bounce player return pass: do they want back to their feet or in space? What triggers can we use (movement of player).

Can we take our first touch toward the next bounce player we want to use?


Another version can be used that is slightly more geared toward support play (player either side of the ball).

Passing gate

A practice that is probably already in most coaches locker, but always an excellent game for players just starting out. Can start it off really simple by having a gate per pair and challenging them to pass through the gate. Move up to trying to get as many gates as you can in 1 minute etc. 

 Can progress to introducing gate guards. Now can the players find and use the free gates to get easy points. 

Other progressions:

• Wall passes: one player in the pair plays one touch if possible through the gates. 
•  Players dribble though gate then look to pass to partner (support play).

Dribble ball 

Inspired from the youth module 1; players in a group of 3 or 4 look to keep the ball away from a defender who must also dribble a ball around whilst trying to intercept passes.

This is a great game for younger players to practice keeping possession opposed but not fully as the defender will be slowed down. This slower pace of practice helps player to build decision making skills.

• First touch: can you take your first touch away from defender, protect the ball.
• Movement of players, help the player on the ball, try not to hide behind defender. 
• When might we need to think about passing?

You'll notice that these games are not directional. Theses games are used to give players plenty of repetition to help build technical skills. I personally combine these games with more directional "game like" practices.

These drills were made using the FA Coaches App, which is available to download via the app store.