WHY USE IT

Encourages players to be confident to give different types of passes and also be in position to receive passes.

set up

A 10m x 3m channel, leading into a 10m square, funnelling into a 5m square.

HOW TO PLAY

Put four players along the first 10m channel, pop passing and running onto the ball at pace (see first illustration). When they reach the 10m square, the ball carrier accelerates and the others fan out to fill the width. The ball is passed at pace along the line and the last player accelerates towards the 5m square (see illustration 2). The other players file in behind, using pop passes to the end of the square (see illustration 3).

 Run the exercise unopposed until the players can execute it at pace, then add in defenders as a development. Swap the boxes around, so players work on passing in the other direction in the middle box.

Coaching points

• Run on to the ball at pace.
• Give sympathetic passes. Pop passes are floated into space off the fingertips.
• Players must support their passes and communicate with the ball carrier.