Annual training plan · U9–U13

Week 6: Receiving & Moving with the Ball – Drills

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

Training week 6 covers receiving and taking ground passes in one's stride. At the start of the sessions, players work on different ways of handling their first touch, still without pressure from opponents.

In the main part, or at the latest in the final part of the sessions, opponents are added. Players are coached to receive the ball cleanly and take it in their stride even under pressure, and also to prepare a sensible follow-up action as well as possible.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

When learning ball control techniques, it is important to give the players the opportunity to get a feel for the ball without pressure. This helps them develop an understanding of how much to cushion the ball with the foot during the first touch and when taking the ball in stride, in order to set up the second touch as well as possible.

If the players make quick progress, simply have the passes played harder and, in the next step, add pressure from opponents and/or time pressure.

Coaching points for this session
  • Particularly with very firm passes, give slightly with the foot when receiving or taking the ball in stride
  • Boldly take the ball into free space
  • Have players practise the first touch with both feet
Drill 1

Simple Passing/First Touch and Taking the Ball in Stride II

20 min8 x 5 metres, variable depending on ability level and number of players.

Two players face each other, each behind a cone, and pass the ball to one another.

  1. Player A passes the ball straight (longline) with the left inside of the foot to Player B.
  2. Player B takes the ball with the right inside of the foot onto the left foot and passes back to Player A with the left inside of the foot.
  3. Player A performs the first touch and takes the ball in their stride with one touch from the right foot onto the left foot and passes to Player B again.

Variations:

  • Both players stand behind a cone and play diagonally: Player C passes diagonally with the right inside of the foot to Player D.
  • Player D takes the ball with the right inside of the foot onto the left foot and passes back diagonally to Player C with the left inside of the foot.
  • Player D performs the first touch and takes the ball in their stride with one touch from the left foot onto the right foot and passes diagonally to Player C with the second touch.

Note: In the graphic, the numbers 1 and 3 indicate the passing lines, the numbers 2 and 4 the running paths with the ball.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two cones 6 to 8 metres apart.

Equipment: 2 cones and 1 ball per pair.

Players: 2 players per station, each behind a cone.

Coaching points
  • Place the standing foot 30 to 40 centimetres to the side of the ball, not behind it.
  • Do not lean back.
  • When passing and when taking the ball in stride, lift the kicking foot slightly and swing it down through to the ball.
  • Execute the first touch and taking the ball in stride, as well as the foot and body position when passing, cleanly.
  • Practise with both feet.
Drill 2

Passing with 4 Squares and 4 Colours

20 minEach area 5 x 5 metres
  • Each group starts in its square and passes the ball around loosely with both feet.
  • Feints are included and one-twos are played.
  • After a few minutes two groups mix: each colour passes the ball around across two areas.
  • Care must be taken that no player of the other group is hit by the ball; this requires timing and precision.
  • Finally all four groups pass the ball around in one large area.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: 16 cones mark out four areas.

Equipment: 16 cones and one ball per group.

Players: Three players stand in each area.

Coaching points
  • Use the whole area.
  • Make sure concentration is maintained throughout.
Drill 3

Finishing in the Centre from the Shooting Zone

20 min40 x 40 metres
  • Player A passes to Player B.
  • Player B moves towards the ball, takes it into the shooting zone with the first touch and finishes with the second touch.
  • A direct follow-up shot is allowed.
  • Player B then joins the queue at group A.
  • Player B then plays the ball to Player A, and the sequence is repeated in the other direction.

Variations: Have the first player dribble through the cones with a feint.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Tall cones and cones mark out the playing area and the finishing zone; there is a goal at one end.

Equipment: Tall cones, cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Two groups at positions A and B; plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Have the players train with both feet.
  • Take the ball straight towards goal.
  • Make sure that the whole group keeps up the 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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Session 2

4 drills

Exercise 1 is a relaxed start to training with numbered passing. Nevertheless, make sure that the actions on the ball are carried out at a high tempo.

In the 2nd drill, time pressure is then added. Above all, a good first touch and orientation are required in order to set up the follow-up action as well as possible.

Controlling the ball under pressure from opponents is then trained in Exercises 3 and 4.

Coaching points for this session
  • First touch with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Demand scanning
  • Boldly take the ball into free space
Drill 1

Numbered Passing

20 min30 x 25 metres.

Players 1 and 7 each start with a ball. Passing follows ascending numerical order: Player 1 passes to Player 2, Player 2 to Player 3 and so on. At the same time Player 7 starts and passes upwards to Player 8.

To begin with, play with at least two touches per player, not first time. As the drill progresses, switch to one-touch play with a single touch.

Variations:

  • Players 1, 5 and 9 each start with a ball — three balls in play in total.
  • Change the group size and the number of balls; both increase the level of difficulty.
  • A maximum of three touches per player, with the incoming pass controlled in one touch. This is followed by a quick change of direction and a firm pass to the next team-mate.
  • Set the passing technique: inside of the foot, laces, outside of the foot, inside-of-the-foot push pass or curling the ball with plenty of spin.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: 30 x 25 metres, marked out with four cones.

Equipment: 4 cones and 2 balls.

Players: 12 players, numbered from 1 to 12, spread out across the playing area.

Coaching points
  • Call out to the receiving player before playing the pass.
  • Keep constant eye contact with the passer and the receiver.
  • Coordinate the timing of the pass and of the start of the run.
  • Keep moving and change areas rather than standing in one position.
  • Correct any faulty execution and demonstrate the correct execution.
Drill 2

Speed of Action + Finishing

20 min30 x 30 metres
  • The player in the middle receives passes from the outside players.
  • This player controls the ball cleanly and shoots it into the designated goal.
  • The coach calls out both the passer and the target goal by colour — calling blue and white, for example, means the player in the middle receives the ball from blue and shoots it into the white goal.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A square of 2 x 2 metres is marked out in the middle of the playing area. There is a mini goal on each of the outer sides; every goal is identified by a coloured cone.

Equipment: Mini goals, cones in various colours and several balls.

Players: Two players stand at each goal, one further player stands in the middle.

Coaching points
  • Take up an open position towards the target goal.
  • Work with only two touches if possible.
Drill 3

Receiving and Taking the Ball in Stride

20 min
  • After a preparatory movement, Player A plays the ball to Player B.
  • Player B receives the ball and dribbles up to the cone goal.
  • Player B then finishes at goal.
  • After that the positions change: Player A moves to B's position and vice versa.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones mark the positions and the cone goal; behind it stands a mini goal.

Equipment: 3 cones, 1 mini goal and several balls.

Players: Players A and B.

Coaching points
  • Take the ball in the direction of the shot.
  • Look up from the ball when dribbling.
Drill 4

Free Game in a 4 vs 4

25 min25 x 30 metres
  • The game is played freely as 4 vs 4.
  • In the combination play only ground passes are allowed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; there are four mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • Demand free play and creativity.
  • Keep an eye on their own goals.
  • Defend in the space, but also apply pressing.

Session 3

4 drills

If the first touch and taking the ball in stride have already been implemented well in the last two training sessions, you can go one step further today:

Encourage the players to combine the first touch with a body feint. A simple but efficient way to create the space needed for a follow-up action.

Body feints can be built in especially in Exercise 2, but also in the two small-sided games that follow.

Coaching points for this session
  • First touch with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Scan
  • Take the ball into free space
Drill 1

Passing/Coordination

15 min
  • Players 1, 3 and 5 start dribbling at the same time.
  • From the middle onwards, Player 1 passes to Player 2, Player 3 to Player 6 and Player 5 to Player 4.
  • On the way back, Player 2 passes to Player 3, Player 4 to Player 1 and Player 6 to Player 5.
  • Every player always runs straight ahead into the group opposite.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 6 cones and several balls.

Players: The players at positions 1 to 6.

Coaching points
  • All players must start dribbling at the same time.
  • Look up from the ball.
Drill 2

Receiving and Taking the Ball in Stride with a Finish

15 min
  • Player B passes through the cone goal to Player A.
  • Player A receives the ball and takes it away to the side.
  • Player A dribbles around the cone and finishes immediately with a shot at goal.
  • Player B moves up to Player A's position, another player takes over Player B's position.
  • After the finish, Player A joins the back of their group.

Variations: Carry out the drill as a competition — which group is the first to score 10, 20, 25 or 30 goals?

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Five cones mark the positions and the cone goal; there is a goal at one end.

Equipment: 5 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players A and B; plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Show for the ball in a half-open position.
  • After a few rounds, take the ball into the movement with the first touch.
Drill 3

Passing without Goals

25 min
  • Team 1 plays against Team 2.
  • The players of Team 3 on the outside lines of the area can be used as passing options by the team in possession.
  • The aim is to get from one end of the area to the other.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the playing area.

Equipment: 4 cones and several balls.

Players: Three teams of four players each. Teams 1 and 2 play in the area, Team 3 spreads out along the outside lines of the area.

Coaching points
  • Keep the playing times short.
  • Defend tight to the opponent.
  • Keep moving when in possession.
Drill 4

4 vs 4 on 6 Mini Goals

30 min
  • Two teams play 4 vs 4 on the six mini goals.
  • The other two groups run around the playing area and perform coordination or fitness exercises while doing so.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; six mini goals stand all around it.

Equipment: 6 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Four teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • The defenders work in quick pressing.
  • The attackers make the game wide.
  • The attackers escape the pressing with combinations and look to score.
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