Whether you’re coaching youth players or preparing a professional squad, precise passing is the heartbeat of dominant soccer. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled 27 soccer passing drills designed to improve vision, timing, first touch, and decision-making under pressure.
These drills are organized by difficulty and focus — from basic one-touch passing to advanced movement-based combinations — so you can tailor them to any age group or skill level. All drills are sourced and tested by elite coaches at iCoachFootball.net , your trusted hub for soccer coaching drills.
Why These Drills Work:
- ✅ Builds spatial awareness and communication
- ✅ Enhances ball retention under pressure
- ✅ Transfers to real-game scenarios
- ✅ Scalable for U10 to pro team players
Pro Tip: Always warm up with dynamic stretches and light jogging before starting any drill. For optimal results, combine these with our 10 Warm Ups Drills for Soccer.
1. 1 In, 1 Out.
How the Drill Works:
Players divide into four lines on the cones of a square and pass the ball to the middle player who turns, 180-degress, and plays to the next player in line.
Purpose:
Develop players’ passing accuracy and turning sharpness. Players improve their turning quickness and
ability to receive the pass on the move.
Diagram:
Setup:
- Set up at 20×20-yard square using four cones. Have the players divide evenly among and form lines behind the four cones.
- Two soccer balls are started with the first players in two of the lines. The soccer balls should be on the same side of the square.
- Play three, four-minute rounds. Add more rounds and time as needed.
Instructions:
- One player, from the opposite corner of a line with a ball, checks into the center of the square to receive a pass from the player opposite of them.
- The player receiving the pass, turns, 180-degress, and then passes the ball to the player in front of the line the line they started from.
- After completing a pass into the middle player, the player that passed the ball immediately runs into the middle of the square and receives the second ball from the next player to repeat the process.
- Players follow their pass and go to the back of the line after completing the pass.
- Complete three, four-minute rounds. Add more rounds as needed. Change the passing pattern and variations as desired.
Variations:
One touch – Depending on the age of the players and their skills, have the players use only one-touch passes to complete the pattern.
Weak Foot – Players can only pass, receive, and turn with their weak foot.
Different Turns – Have the players work on a new turn each round. Inside, outside, or bottom of the foot. Any turn works!
Coaching Points:
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- Challenge the players to pass the ball accurately on the ground.
- Remind the players to give passes to their partners that they can handle.
- Depending on the age and skill of the players, make the square size smaller or larger.
- Increase the tempo as players become more comfortable on the ball. Get more experienced players to move the ball quickly!
