Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 28: Passing into the Run & Moving with the Ball

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

So that players can also use the technique they have learned to benefit their own game, the technique practices always include pointers for the game. For example, a good first touch is most effective when the receiver scans beforehand and takes the ball into free space. Another example is a centre-back with a precise striking technique for high balls. The player can make best use of this skill when lofted balls are played against the direction of the shift.

Alongside the technique practices, coordination practices continue to be included in training. Coordination skills are essential for refining, stabilising and learning techniques. Players with well-developed coordination will usually internalise new techniques faster and more easily than players with only moderately developed coordination skills.

In the summer pre-season, technique training worked a lot on the absolute basics. In the preparation for the second half of the season, players have to meet higher demands.

This week will be about receiving the ball and passing. Playing and controlling high balls, first-time passing, passes into the run or into space and taking the ball in the stride at high speed will play a special role.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The focus of this training session will be passing into the run, first-time passing and taking the ball in stride at speed.

Especially when balls are played on first time, accuracy and pace are harder to control than when players use 2 touches. Players also often tend to play first time, even though this is often not necessary. For example, after a very firm forward pass. Instead of taking a touch to secure the ball, the player passes it on first time, inaccurately and at waist height, even though the ball they receive already comes in with real pace and possibly not even along the ground.

Nevertheless, the first-time pass is certainly a helpful tool and an effective one in many match situations. Especially when the ball arrives well weighted and along the ground, it can be played on with good control using the inside of the foot. Depending on which third the ball is in, more or less risk can be taken.

Coaching points for this session
  • Scan
  • One-touch passes are most accurately played with the inside of the foot
  • Lock the ankle when passing
  • Play balls to the front foot or into the path where possible, without the attack losing pace
  • Pass first time where possible
Drill 1

Rondo - 6+1 vs 2

15 min

The game is played 6 + 1 vs 2 for possession.

  • The players in possession try to pass the ball among themselves without the defenders winning it or playing it out of the area.
  • The player inside the area acts as a passing option for the outside players.
  • If the defenders win the ball, the player who lost it swaps position and role with the defender who has been in the middle the longest.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: The playing area is set up with six cones.

Equipment: 6 cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: Six players are positioned on the outside, three in the middle. One of the inside players plays together with the outside players.

Coaching points
  • Depending on the ability of the players, have every pass or every second pass played first time.
  • Demand passing with both feet.
Drill 2

Passing in a Square - Passing into the Run

20 min
  • The red player plays the ball into the zone of the blue player, who has asked for it beforehand.
  • The blue player takes the ball on under control and plays it on to the next player — here to the yellow one.
  • The drill continues in this way.

Variations: After a few rounds, change the direction of play.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four zones are set up with 16 cones.

Equipment: 16 cones and balls.

Players: At least one player stands at each zone, at least two at the starting position.

Coaching points
  • Take the ball on with the outside foot and play it with that foot.
Drill 3

6 + 6 vs 6

25 min
  • The drill starts with Z1, who plays the ball out to the red team. The game is 6 vs 6 inside the playing area plus six outside players.
  • The teams have the task of switching the ball from Z1 to Z2 — the red team — and from Z2 to Z1 — the yellow team. If this succeeds, the team gets a point and possession changes.
  • The outside players act as additional passing options for the team in possession and always play the ball first time.
  • The players inside are free in their actions, but may only play ground passes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the playing area with two end zones.

Equipment: 4 cones and 1 ball.

Players: Two teams of six outfield players each, plus six outside players and two players as Z1 and Z2 in the end zones.

Coaching points
  • The area is narrow — look for depth quickly.
  • Make sure to be available for a pass in an open body position.
  • Constantly create enough passing options.
  • Use the full size of the playing area so that the space does not become unnecessarily tight.
  • Exploit the numerical advantage created by the outside players cleverly.
  • The centre must always be occupied.
Drill 4

4 vs 4 with Target Players in Behind

25 minDouble penalty area
  • 4 vs 4 is played inside the playing area.
  • Each team has two target players next to its own goal.
  • If one of the wall players receives a pass, that player dribbles into the playing area and the passer takes up the vacated position.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; there is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and enough balls at the sides.

Players: Two teams of four, two target players next to each team's own goal as well as two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Open up the passing lines in behind through movement to get free.
  • The deep players move actively along the goal line in order to get out of the cover shadow.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

Taking the ball straight into your stride can give you an advantage in many match situations. For example, this means that…

  • …the opponent's path can be cut across and the opponent beaten without having to win a 1 vs 1
  • …the space created by a switch of play can be used to the full
  • …speed can be picked up more quickly and carried into the next 1 vs 1 situation
  • …a follow-up action, such as a cross or a finish, can be prepared and carried out more quickly

To be able to accelerate with the 1st touch, good scanning is important. Only this makes it possible to see whether taking the ball in stride in the direction of play is possible at all. It also allows possible follow-up actions to be considered in advance. To make scanning easier, players should show for the ball in an open body position. This makes the space further forward easier to see. It also means there is no need to turn in the direction of play first.

In addition to the receiver's own scanning, the passer can help the receiver to recognise whether taking the ball in stride in the direction of play is possible:

  • Verbal communication through a call such as “Time” or “Turn”
  • Non-verbal communication through the pass. If the pass is played to the front foot, this signals to the receiver that there is no opponent behind them. If, on the other hand, the pass is played to the back foot, the one furthest from the opponent, this signals that the receiver has a defender behind them
Coaching points for this session
  • Take the ball in your stride straight away
  • Show for the ball in an open body position
  • Demand scanning
  • Communicate through the foot the pass is played to: front foot (space) and back foot (opponent behind)
Drill 1

Technique Receiving and Taking the Ball

15 min10 metres between the goals
  • The player with the ball plays it through the second player's cone goal.
  • The second player takes the ball to the side with the first action, so as to end up beside their own goal.
  • With the second action that player plays the ball through the training partner's goal.
  • The partner carries out the same action.

Variations:

  • Take the ball with the outside of the foot.
  • Perform a body feint before the first touch.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones form two cone goals facing each other.

Equipment: 4 cones and one ball per pair.

Players: Groups of two; one player stands at each goal.

Coaching points
  • Work in a ready position to receive the ball.
  • Play the passes with enough pace.
  • Work with two touches.
  • Work with both feet.
Drill 2

Coordination Circuit

20 min

The following tasks are worked through in the circuit:

  1. Run through the agility ladder forwards or backwards.
  2. Receive the ball and take it along.
  3. Dribble around the tall cones at high speed, changing feet.
  4. Dribble through the cones in a slalom.
  5. Play a ground pass to station 3.
  6. Run quickly around the flags.
  7. Side steps through the poles.
  8. Easy jogging to the end.

Note: The next player starts as soon as the player in front has passed through the cone slalom.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A circuit with eight stations made up of an agility ladder, cones, tall cones, flags and poles.

Equipment: 1 agility ladder, 5 tall cones, 5 cones, 3 flags, 6 poles and several balls.

Players: The group starts one after another at starting point A. A ball is placed ready behind the agility ladder for the first player.

Coaching points
  • At the agility ladder, bring the hands along properly and work on the balls of the feet.
  • Play the passes with enough pace.
  • Seek eye contact before the passes.
  • Take the balls straight into the movement.
  • When dribbling, keep the ball close and use both feet.
  • For the side steps, build up a low centre of gravity and body tension.
Drill 3

Passing in 4 vs 3

25 min
  • The respective attackers play a 4 vs 3 towards the opposition's two mini goals.
  • The task is to create goalscoring chances through secure combination play set up in width and in depth.
  • After a finish or after the ball is won inside the playing area, the team that was defending may start a 4 vs 3 towards the goals at the opposite end.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the playing area; there are two small goals at each end.

Equipment: 4 small goals, 4 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • The defending team acts patiently.
  • It cuts attackers off from the play in order to create equal-numbers situations.
  • It steers the play as a unit.
Drill 4

5 vs 5 - with Wall Players Dribbling In

25 min
  • The game is played 5 vs 5 with offside.
  • If a wall player receives a pass, that player dribbles into the playing area and the passer takes over that position as wall player.
  • If the ball goes out over the touchline or the goal line, the game restarts with the goalkeeper of the team entitled to it.
  • The teams play in a 2-2-1.
  • Interruptions are avoided: if the ball goes out of play, the next ball is dribbled in immediately.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out the playing area, two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, 6 cones and four to five balls, which are kept ready in the goals.

Players: Two teams of seven players each, marked by colour. Five players per team are in the playing area, two as wall players in the respective attacking third. In addition there are two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Make sure that the wall players are passed to at every opportunity.
  • Encourage a quick change of players.

Session 3

4 drills

This training session will be about playing and controlling lofted balls.

When controlling the ball, the players should first learn to receive it cleanly and then bring it down. Once the players can already control the ball well with the foot, the thigh and the chest, the level of difficulty can be increased. The ball can now either be received on the move or taken straight into their stride. When taking a lofted ball straight in stride, too, the ball should be brought down quickly in order to keep it under control while dribbling.

When playing lofted balls, attention should be paid to match-realistic execution. For this, the ball should be played not from a standstill but on the move.

Besides the technical points on playing and controlling the lofted ball, the following tips can also be given:

  • Play lofted balls against the direction the opposition is shifting
  • Balls with backspin and without swerve are easier to control
  • Lofted balls are often in the air for a long time. When controlling the ball, players should therefore be ready for body contact or immediate pressure from opponents after the 1st touch
  • Scan before controlling the ball
Coaching points for this session

Controlling high balls:

  • Receive the ball or take it in your stride in the direction of play
  • Get the ball down quickly
  • Be prepared for body contact when controlling the ball

Playing lofted balls:

  • With backspin and without swerve
  • Play lofted balls preferably to the wide positions and against the direction the opposition is shifting • against opponents playing a high line, lofted balls are also suitable for getting in behind the defence
Drill 1

Dealing with High Balls

15 min
  • Player A throws a ball to the player behind the pole goal.
  • That player receives the ball and dribbles past the pole goal on the right to player A.
  • During the dribble that player performs a feint of choice.
  • After the throw-in, player A goes straight behind the pole goal.

Variations: Take the ball past the pole goal on the left.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two poles form a pole goal, two cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 2 cones, 2 poles and several balls.

Players: Player A takes the throw-in, a second player stands behind the pole goal.

Coaching points
  • Take the ball in the direction of play.
  • Bring the ball down promptly and pick up speed.
  • For matches the rule is: always throw the ball to the foot, because controlling it is then quicker than with a throw-in to the chest or thigh — or to the head for a flick-on.
Drill 2

Duel After a Lofted Ball

25 minDouble penalty area
  • Player A plays a diagonal lofted ball to Player B.
  • Player A runs forward and takes up the defending position.
  • Player B controls the ball and dribbles towards Player A; a duel develops.
  • Ideally Player B is able to finish on the goal behind Player A.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out the playing area; two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 6 cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Four groups are formed.

Coaching points
  • Demand a drive towards goal.
  • If an action takes too long, stop the drill.
Drill 3

Lofted Ball with Cross and Finish

25 minHalf a pitch
  • Player A plays a lofted ball to Player B in the square.
  • Player B controls the ball in the square and sprints towards the pole.
  • In front of the pole Player B performs a step-over.
  • Then Player B crosses the ball into the penalty area to Player C or D, who make crossing runs in front of it.
  • After that the same sequence runs mirrored down the other side.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Twelve cones mark the starting points and the squares, two poles stand on the way to the penalty area.

Equipment: 12 cones, 2 poles, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Groups of four with Players A, B, C and D; in addition one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Bring the ball down to the ground quickly.
  • Take the ball in the direction of play.
  • Pick up speed immediately.
  • Place the pole further towards the centre, so that the dribble comes in on a vertical line.
  • When performing the step-over, shift the centre of gravity sufficiently and go past the pole with a change of pace.
Drill 4

4 vs 4 + 4 Support Players

25 minDouble penalty area
  • In a double penalty area, two teams play a free game of 4 vs 4 on two goals with goalkeepers.
  • In their respective attacking half the teams have four support players.
  • The support players are positioned on the touchlines and on the goal line of the playing area and must play first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two goals, six cones to mark out the playing area and the outer zones as well as two cones near the halfway line, which mark the halves.

Equipment: 2 goals, 8 cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: Two teams of four players each, one goalkeeper each as well as four support players per attacking half.

Note: If eight outside players are assigned and split between the two teams, this can lead to long periods of standing around. Six outside players are better, with the ones on the sides playing for both teams. The roles are changed regularly.

Coaching points
  • Do not block the passing lanes to the support players.
  • Use the numerical advantage cleverly.
  • Get free to become available for a pass or open up the passing lanes to the support players.
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