Passing is dead if the passer just stands there. This teaches kids that the passer moves after releasing the ball, finding space to receive it again.
What you need: 1 soccer ball, 2 kids (or you and a kid).
Setup: Partners 15 feet apart on grass.
How to run it:
- Using the Plant, Open, Strike, Follow cue: Plant the non-kick foot beside the ball pointing at the target, open the hips toward them, strike with the inside of the foot ankle locked, follow through.
- Player A passes to Player B using the correct cue.
- Immediately after passing, Player A runs to a new spot 3 feet to the left or right.
- Player B receives the ball using See, Cushion, Settle, Move: see it coming early, soft surface to absorb, settle it into space, move to the next receiver.
- Player B then passes back to the new position.
- 10 passes each direction.
What to watch: Does the passer move immediately or wait? Moving immediately opens up space.
If they’re struggling: Keep distance at 15 feet. Make it slower paced.
If they’ve got it: Increase distance to 20 feet. Passer must move and call for the ball.