27 Soccer Passing Drills Every Coach Needs in Their Toolkit

3. Bumper Cars

How the Drill Works:

Players are divided into two teams and attempt to “bump” their opponent’s soccer balls outside of the playing area by passing their soccer ball into their opponent’s soccer ball.

Purpose:

Develops passing accuracy in a fun, competitive team game.

Diagram:

Setup:

• Use several cones to mark a 30×30 yard square.
• Divide the players into two teams and assign matching colored jerseys to each team.
• Assign teams to start on opposite sides.
• Each player starts with a ball at their feet.
• Complete at least three rounds. Play more rounds as needed and time allows.

Instructions:

1. On the coach’s command, both teams dribble into the field and attempt to pass their soccer ball into their opponent’s soccer ball and bump their ball out-of-bounds.
2. If a player’s ball is bumped outside of the grid, then that player is out for the remainder of the round and cheers on their team!
3. If a player’s ball is bumped but does not leave the playing area, that player is free to chase after their ball and keep playing as long as their ball stays inside the field.
4. If a player misses a pass, and their ball goes out of play on its own, that player is out for the remainder of the round.
5. The round is won when one team successfully knocks all the other team’s balls out-of- bounds.
6. Play at least three rounds. Add more rounds as needed and time allows.

Variations:

Everyone for themselves – No teams. Everyone is on their own and the last one standing is the winner of the round!

Pass into legs – If passing into opponent’s soccer balls is too difficult, have the players pass into opponent’s legs. If a player is hit, below the knee, with an opponent soccer ball, they are out for the remainder of the round.

Coaching Points:

• • Teach the players to keep their soccer ball close and pick their moments to bump other player’s soccer balls.
  • Instruct the players to maintain good vision of the field and the opponents.
  • Remind the players to pay attention to both accuracy and power of their passes to make sure their ball stays inside the field when completing a pass.