Elevate your team’s passing and receiving skills with the dynamic Square Passing Drill! This versatile drill, suitable for both youth players and older age groups (U17+), is a fantastic way to improve ball control, movement, and one-two (wall pass) combinations. Pro teams like Real Madrid incorporates this drill into their warm-up routines, highlighting its effectiveness at all skill levels. But its highly recommended ages 10-16.
Contents
Drill Set-Up:
- Equipment: Cones (optional) and a ball.
- Players: 5 players.
- Playing Area: Square-shaped box (6×6 meters, adjustable based on age and skill level). You can mark the square with cones or use existing lines on the field.
- Duration: 15 minutes.
Process:
This drill features four variations, each focusing on different aspects of passing and receiving. Remember to perform the drill on both the left and right sides of the square for balanced development.
Variation 1: Basic Passing & Movement
- Starting Positions: Two players stand inside the square with the ball, while the remaining three players position themselves outside the square, each near a cone (or designated point).
- Pass and Move: Player 1 inside the square passes the ball to Player 2 on the right side. Player 2 takes a touch, opens their body to receive the ball comfortably, and then passes back to Player 3 (outside the left cone).
- Continuous Movement: Player 2, after passing the ball, moves to the opposite side (left cone) to receive the next pass from Player 3.
- Flowing Sequence: The drill continues with players passing and moving in a clockwise direction around the square, focusing on one-touch passing and receiving.
Variation 2: Opposite Movement
- Starting Positions: Same as Variation 1.
- Pass and Opposite Move: Player 1 passes the ball to Player 2 on the right side. Player 2 controls the ball and passes back to Player 1.
- Crossover Movement: After passing, Player 2 moves to the opposite side (left cone) to create space for the next pass.
Variation 3: Introducing 1-2 Combinations
- Starting Positions: Same as Variation 1.
- 1-2 Play: Player 1 passes the ball to Player 2 on the right side. Player 2 plays the ball back to Player 1 with a one-touch pass.
- Forward Movement: Player 2 gets the ball run slightly forward (out of the square) before receiving it with a touch and passing to Player 3 on the left side.
- Continued Sequence: The drill continues with players performing 1-2 combinations while moving around the square.
Variation 4: 1-2 Combinations using third man
- Starting Positions: All five players stand inside the square in a circle formation, with one player holding the ball.
- Full Square 1-2s: Player 1 with the ball passes to Player 2 on the right. Player 2 returns the ball with a one-touch pass. Player 1 lets the ball run slightly forward before receiving it and passing to Player 3.
- Chain Reaction: The sequence continues with one-two combinations between each player around the entire square, creating a continuous passing flow.
Watch the accompanying video for a complete demonstration:
Bonus Tips:
- Encourage players to focus on clean passing technique, proper receiving posture, and maintaining good communication throughout the drill.
- Gradually increase the pace of the drill as players improve their skills and coordination.
- For more advanced players, introduce variations like using different passing techniques (e.g., laces, instep) or incorporating pressure from a defender outside the square.
The Square Passing Drill, with its four variations, is a valuable tool for coaches to develop well-rounded passing and receiving skills in players of all ages. By incorporating this drill into your training sessions, you’ll witness a significant improvement in your team’s ability to control the ball, move effectively off the ball, and execute sharp one-two combinations.
