passing, first_touch, possession · U10+
Four players in a line spaced 10–15 meters apart, with a marker at each position. Numbers from top to bottom: two, three, four, five. The two starts with the ball. Downward: two passes to three, who returns it directly. Two plays a long pass past three to four, four redirects the ball to three, and three plays a long pass past four to five. Upward the same mirrored: five passes to four, receives a return and plays a long pass past four to three. Three redirects to four, four plays a long pass back to two, and the round starts over. Three and four break away from the line to different sides just before the pass is made. This way, the long pass gets past the previous player. After your pass, return to the line. Short passes with two touches, long ones along the ground and firmly. As the pattern progresses, tighten short passes to one touch.
The movement to break away to the side is timed to the passer's acceleration, not after the pass. Support foot behind the ball, head up until the moment of impact, impact point on the center of the ball with the inside of the foot and follow through in the direction of the pass. Observing the open side before the pass arrives: the next target is pre-identified. The first touch is directed away from the marker in the direction the pass continues. Return to the line after your pass so that the next round starts from the same setup.
Which direction do you open up to see both the ball and the next passing target? When do you start moving from the marker — before the pass or after? Which direction do you direct the first touch when you already know you will play the ball back? How does the firmness of the pass change when you play a short return vs. a long pass past the middle player?
Line Passing 3/3 is a football drill on TacticsBoard. Category: passing, first_touch, possession. Age group: U10+. Browse more football drills or create your own for free.