27 Soccer Passing Drills Every Coach Needs in Their Toolkit

4. Circle Passing and Dribbling

How the Drill Works:

Players form a circle with at least two players starting on the inside of the circle with soccer balls. Players dribble into the circle before passing the ball to an outside player and switching spots with them.

Purpose:

Simple passing activity that can be used as a warmup or main activity for less experienced players. Develops players’ abilities to take a positive first touch and complete a pass to an open player.

Diagram:

Setup:

• • Have the players form a large, 20-yard in diameter, circle. Use the center circle of the soccer field if available.
  • At least two players start in the middle of the circle with soccer balls. Start with more players in the middle with soccer balls depending on the number of players.
  • Complete three, three-minute rounds. Stretch and make coaching points between rounds. Add more rounds and time as needed.

Instructions:

1. The players in the middle start the round by dribbling towards any outside player and then completing a pass to them.
2. The players receiving passes should take their first touch in to the circle and then complete the same pattern.
3. Players switch spots with the players they passed to on the outside and wait for a new pass.
4. Continue this process for the remainder of the round.
5. Add new variations as needed for each round. Complete three, three-minute rounds. Add more rounds as needed.

Variations:

One-Two Pass – The outside players complete a one-two combination with the inside player that passed the ball to them before they are free to dribble into the circle.

Two-touch – Players must complete the activity in two-touches. First touch takes them in to the circle; second touch is a pass to another player on the outside of the circle.

Coaching Points:

• • Start slow if this is being used as a warmup activity. Increase the tempo as players begin to warm their bodies up.
  • Teach the outside players to stay on their toes and call for a pass to get involved!
  • Encourage the players to take a positive first touch in to the circle! We do not want to ball to remain under the player’s bodies.
  • Remind the players to look up and find the next pass as soon as they can.
  • Challenge the players to make firm, accurate passes to their teammates. Passes should remain on the floor and be played with the proper weight!