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PASSING AND MOVING IN TIGHT AREAS

With the game moving faster than ever before it is crucial for any player to be able to pass and move quickly in tight areas.

Some exercises can be used as a "warm-up", but nevertheless for both senior and junior players they should be treated total concentration and respect.

These practices may look simple but they are not - particularly if the passing and movement is carried out at some speed.

Practice 1

Passing between 2 groups of 3 players, facing each other. X1 & Y1 should be around 6 metres apart, with X1 in possession of the ball. X1 passes (along the ground) to Y1 after passing the ball X1 races alongside the opposing column of players and joins the near end of it. Y1 when he receives the ball, plays it first time back to X2 and then in turns joins the back

And so the practice continues,
· To advance this practice the next player to receive the ball can move out to the side (and so alter the angle of the next pass to him), which will require his opposite number to look up and gauge the weight of the pass.

Players in these practices must play the ball first time whenever possible and they should be encouraged to use both feet.

Junior players can be allowed to control the ball first, if necessary then pass with the second touch of the ball. After passing they must sprint to the rear of the opposing column.

Practice 2

Now passing 3 colours with the players again sprinting behind the opposing column after they have delivered the pass.

Organisation

X1, Y1 & W1 around 6 metres apart, with 2 players in each column behind them. ONE BALL.

So X1 passes to Y1 who passes it first time to W1, who passes it first time to X2 and so on.

After passing the ball X1 joins the rear of the Y column, - similarly Y1 joins the rear of the W column and so the practice progresses.

Practice 3

Same organisation as practice 2, but this time after passing the ball from X1 to Y1 - instead of joining the Y column, X1 joins the rear of the W column. Similarly Y1, after passing to W1 joins the rear of the X column - and so the practice progresses.

IN ALL THESE PRACTICES THE COACH SHOULD DEMAND GOOD TECHNIQUE, SPEED AND TOTAL CONCENTRATION FROM ALL.

Practice 4

In practice 4, there are 7 players (this number can be varied between 5 & 8) with the players pairing and changing places.

 ONCE AGAIN THIS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT AT PACE.

F (from G) passes to G and then runs to the centre to replace him. G, first time plays F's pass on to E and then runs to replace him with E returning to the centre - and so the practice goes on.