27 Soccer Passing Drills Every Coach Needs in Their Toolkit

17. Passing to Beat the Defender

How the Drill Works:

Two teams of four players attempt to pass the ball across the other team’s end line. Each team puts two players on their end line while the other two players play 2v2 inside the field.

Purpose:

Develop 1v1 and 2v1 moments. Players improve their decision-making and movement off the ball.

Diagram:

Setup:

• • Set up a 20×25-yard field for every eight players.
  • Divide the players into teams of four and assign two teams per field.
  • Two players per team start on their end line while the other two players start inside the field.
  • Place soccer balls around the field.
  • Each team should complete four, four-minute games. Rotate players as needed after each round.

Instructions:

1. Players inside the field player 2v2 and attempt to pass the ball over their opponent’s end line. Passes must be on the floor.
2. Players inside the field are free to move, dribble and pass freely.
3. The two players on each end line can only move along the end line and move to prevent any passes going past them.
4. End line players can be used to keep possession of the ball, but still must stay along the end line.
5. If the ball goes out-of-bounds at any point, a new ball is given to the team who did not touch it last.
6. Teams get one point each time they successfully pass the ball across their opponent’s end line.
7. Each time a team gets scored on, the two players defending their end line switch positions with their teammates inside the field. The two new field players start a new ball.
8. Team with the most points at the end of the four-minute game wins.
9. Each team should complete four, four-minute rounds. Add more rounds and time as needed.

Variations:

Number of passes – Players must complete a certain number of passes before attempting to score.

Different number of players – Play 5-on-5 with three players in the middle or 6-on-6 with three players inside and three players on each end line. Adjust the field size according to the total number of players.

Add neutral players – Add a neutral player inside the field if teams are struggling to score.

End line player possession rules – Can end line players be used to keep possession? Decide if the activity needs more 1v1 or more possession.

Coaching Points:

• Adjust the field size according to skill level and number of players.
• Challenge the players to constantly move for each other and provide good passing angles for their teammates.
• Teach the players to use their bodies to protect the ball and keep possession for their team.
• Remind the players to look up and see the field. Players will need to find open spaces and teammates to make good decisions with the ball.
• Stress that players should pass the ball across the end line. NO SHOOTING.
• Encourage the end line players to help organize their team and give commands with their voice!