27 Soccer Passing Drills Every Coach Needs in Their Toolkit

13. Meet the Ball

How the Drill Works:

Groups of three players with two soccer balls set up four cones with at least five yards of space between each cone. Two players, with soccer balls on the outside cones pass to the player in the middle that is working between the middle cones.

Purpose:

Develops players’ passing and receiving skills on the move. Players learn to run to the ball rather than waiting for it.

Diagram:

Setup:

• • Have the players divide into groups of three. Each group should have two soccer balls and four cones.
  • Groups spread out and set up the four cones in a line with five-yards of space between each cone. Adjust the space between the cones as needed depending on the players’ skill level. Lay down 4 cones in a line for each group.
  • Two players in each group start on the outside cones with a soccer ball.
  • The third player in the group starts between the two middle cones.
  • Each player should complete at least four, 60-second rounds as the middle player. Add more time and rounds as needed. Change patterns or add variations along the way.

Instructions:

1. Middle player alternates between the two middle cones receiving passes from the outside players.
2. As soon as the player in the middle completes the pass back to the outside player, they immediately turn and move to the opposite middle cone to complete the same pattern.
3. Outside passers should pass the ball to the middle player before they get to the middle cones so that they are not standing. The middle player should always be moving onto the pass.
4. Middle players work for 60-second rounds before quickly rotating positions with an outside player.
5. Each player should complete at least four, 60-second rounds as the middle player. Add more rounds and time as needed. Give new variations or patterns as the activity progresses.

Variations:

One-touch pass – The middle player must pass the ball back to the outside players in one touch.

Two-touch pass – The middle player must pass the ball back to the outside players in two touches.

Volleys – The outside players start with the soccer balls in their hands and toss the balls, in the air, to the middle player who must return the pass back to them in the air. The middle player can use the inside or laces of their feet to return the pass back to the outside players. Vary the touch limit.

Headers – The middle player must head the ball back to the outside players. Outside players use their hands to toss the ball to the middle player.

Coaching Points:

• Encourage players to keep the ball on the ground and complete accurate passes to their teammates.
• Feel free to switch up the type of passes players receive if players are doing well with the simple passes on the ground. Outside players can chip, drive, or toss the balls into the middle player to make it more difficult. Challenge the players.
• Can players check their shoulder before receiving each pass? Build good player habits.
• Challenge the players to complete as many, quality repetitions per round!