Barcelona Passing Activation

Instructions/Setup:

In this unopposed passing practice, the focus is on line-breaking forward passes. The drill setup consists of 3 players positioned at the top of the grid and 3 players at the bottom. Mannequins are placed in the center of the grid to create obstacles and simulate defenders.

Players will work on progressing the ball diagonally, making passes up and down the grid. Each pass will be a line-breaking pass, with the ball moving horizontally with each pass as the players follow the ball. The movement from side to side will help to replicate the idea of breaking lines and shifting play to different areas of the field.

Coaching Notes:

• Line-Breaking Passes: Focus on playing forward, line-breaking passes to unbalance the defense. Players should be aware of the available passing lanes and execute passes that break the opposition’s lines.

• Passing & Movement: Players must follow their passes and move into space after they release the ball. This encourages continuous movement, quick ball circulation, and timing of runs.

• Mannequin Awareness: The mannequins in the center of the grid serve as static defenders, encouraging players to identify and pass through the correct lanes. Players should scan for the best possible passing option before making their move.

• Tempo & Timing: Emphasize a quick tempo in passing and movement to ensure the ball reaches the desired area before defenders can react. Precision in passing is key, as well as timing to break the defensive lines effectively.

Progression 1: Increase Mannequin Obstacles:

Add more mannequins in the central area to increase the difficulty of passing lanes. This will force players to make quicker, more precise line-breaking passes under increased pressure.

Focus: Develops the ability to read the game under pressure and improves passing accuracy in tight spaces while dealing with more obstacles.

Progression 2: Introduce Defenders:

Introduce 1 or 2 passive defenders in the central area. Players will now need to break lines while considering the positioning of defenders, forcing them to make quicker and more dynamic decisions when choosing when to pass and where to move.

Focus: Increases the game realism and sharpens players’ decision-making in a more competitive context, improving their ability to break lines while under pressure from real opponents.