Too often young players run out of space when carrying the ball and end up in touch. This game introduces them to a switch pass in a simple way and shows how it opens up play.
Set-up
Cones A, B, C and D form a 10m square. A player on cone A holds a ball and a player waits on cone B (picture 1).
The rules
On your call of “Go!” the player on cone A runs towards cone C. At the same time, the player on cone B runs towards cone D. When player A reaches the middle of the square, he pops a pass to player B who calls for it (picture 2).
When both players have reached their destination cones they turn and go back in the opposite direction. Now the player on cone D has the ball and pops it to the cone C runner who calls for it (picture 3).
Play pairs against each other in a knockout format to find the fastest kriss krossers. Progress by having the ball carrier run at the cone in front then going diagonal to add game realism.
Scoring
First race against the clock to find the pair who can do the most successful pops in one minute.
Race teams against each other in a knockout format to find the fastest pair.
Tell them
“Loud, effective calls.”
“Run behind the ball carrier to prevent forward or rushed pop passes.”
Coaching tips
This gets players not only used to making support runs but also making passes to support players and opening up space.
“The defender keeps themselves light on their feet, head up and marking a potential break, coming forward to close down an attacker when they move forward” MORE
Players must win the race to the best space when attacking. In defence, players must work early, scan early and look to close space to force errors.
Attackers seek space, defenders take it away. This is also true over the ball.
Run this game over a series of sessions to gain the most benefit as the players develop their understanding of the tactical implications. MORE
Here’s a series of super-quick activities to set up and use to mix up your training to keep all your players occupied. Ideal to hand out to your co-coaches and aimed at a range of core skills in game-like contexts.
Here. is a series of what I’ve called Quick Coach. They are mini-activities aimed at four to six players. The aim is to provide you with a bank of breakout exercises you can run during your session. They should only last around five minutes, but the key is that they are very quick to set up and can be run by any coach in your group. They can even be run by one of the players if appropriate. MORE
