Pop play

Though the pop pass is short, it still needs timing and accuracy. As a basic skill, all players should be able to draw a defender and deliver a pop pass into space for a support runner to accelerate onto. “Pop play” will help your players develop not only the technique but also their awareness of when to give a pop pass.

Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 15-20
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7-10

What to think about

Players need to have a good understanding of what a good pop pass should look and feel like. For instance, the sensation that the ball is flicked up off the finger tips to about chest height. The pass should be straight up rather than sideways or backwards, and should be easy for the support runner to accelerate onto. Once players know what an effective pop pass looks like they can self and peer assess their own and their team mates passing during training. Often this has more impact on them than you constantly telling them what they should be doing and how to do it.

set-up

1.  Pop the ball straight up off the fingertips.
2.  Give the ball lots of hang time in the air.
3.  Accelerate onto the ball.
4.  Pull the defender out of position to create space.

What you get your players to do

Split into pairs, with each pair on an adjacent corner of the box. Have one ball carrier run straight across the box, before cutting back inside. At the same time his partner starts from the other corner. The ball carrier gives a pop pass to his partner in the middle of the box. Use a cone to show where the pass should be delivered. The player pops the ball to the next pair, who repeat the exercise. The support player can choose to take a switch pass if he wants.