Why is passing important?
Having the ability to keep the ball and pass to your teammates is one of the fundamental skills of football. Football is a team game, passing enables you to move your opponents and create space. You should aim to supply the ball to your teammate in a way which makes it easier for them to continue the play.
Football Passing Drill 1: Short Pass (Two-touch)
This passing drill can be performed against a wall or with a partner.
- Allow a small gap between you and the wall or partner.
- Lock your ankle and use the largest part on the inside of your foot.
- Place your standing foot inline with the ball as you strike it.
- Focus your eyes on the ball and make sure you have a good connection.
- Try to keep the ball on the ground. If you keep your head over the ball this will help.
- Take a touch between passes and really focus on your passing technique.
- Extend distance between players as your skills improve.
- Move the ball off its line when you receive it and increase the speed on your pass as your skills improve.
Football Passing Drill 2: Short Pass (One-touch)
This passing drill can be performed against a wall or with a partner.
- Repeat the drill above but instead of taking a touch prior to your pass, pass it as it arrives.
- Keep your head over the ball and eyes on the ball.
- Control your pass so it arrives to your teammate accurately and along the ground.
Football Passing Drill 3: Short Pass (with friends)
This passing drill can be performed with 3 or more players.
- Split the outside players 10m apart with one active player in the middle.
- With a ball at each end, the middle player receives the pass and plays it back to the player feeding in the ball. Continue this for approximately 1 minute before changing roles.
- To progress this drill, only use one ball and focus on receiving the ball before changing direction and playing it to the other player on the outside.
- Take your time between passes to ensure you are keeping good habits and focusing on your body position when receiving the pass. Taking your first touch in the direction you wish to go.
- If you have enough space, you can open up the space between the outside players.
- Focus on your passing. Keep your head over the ball and eyes on the ball.
- Control your pass so it arrives to your teammate accurately and along the ground.
Football Passing Drill 4: Triangle & Square Passing
This passing drill can be performed with 3 or more players.
- Set up a triangle or square using markers depending on how many players you have.
- Use your first touch to help you get into position to pass in a different direction.
- It is important you shift your body position and the ball into the direction you want to go.
- Start by using the inside of your foot to receive and shift the ball. As you become more confident, try using the outside of your foot to control the ball. Focus on making the pass with the inside of your foot and using both feet.
Football Passing Drill 5: Lofted Pass
This passing drill can be performed against a wall or with a partner.
- Find a space of about 20m between you and the wall or partner.
- For this pass you will strike the ball with your instep.
- Approach the ball with greater energy and ensure you plant your standing foot next to the ball. Make sure you stay balanced.
- Imagine you are chipping the ball with a golf club. Strike the ball on the underside and ensure you follow through.
- You should generate some back spin and the ball should loft into the air. To get more height on the ball you may need to lean back or strike a lower point of the ball.
- Continue this until you find a natural position to plant your standing foot, and remember to point your standing toe in the direction you wish to play the ball.
Football Passing Drill 6: Low-driven Pass
This passing drill can be performed against a wall or with a partner.
- Find a space of about 20m between you and the wall or partner.
- For this pass you will strike the ball with your laces, with your foot at an angle.
- Approach the ball with greater energy and ensure you plant your standing foot adjacent to the ball and focus on your balance.
- Strike through the middle of ball and ensure you follow through. Keep your chest and knee over the ball at contact.
- Aim to keep the ball bellow knee height as it travels.
- Continue this until you find a natural position to plant your standing foot, and remember to point your standing toe in the direction you would like the ball to go.
Keep at it!
Remember: repetition is vital so keep practicing!
Also check out our guides on shooting drills you can run by yourself and how to juggle a football.
Leigh Broxham is a four-time Championship winner and total games record holder for Melbourne Victory and is a proud adidas ambassador.