Week 14 Diagonal Passing

Instructions/Setup:

This technical warm-up takes place in a 20 by 30-yard area and focuses on developing passing combinations, awareness of teammates, and dribbling. The setup involves two groups of players working on both sides of the area simultaneously.

Divide the players into two groups. Each group starts with one player at the corner of the 20-yard line, facing the opposite corner. The objective is for players to execute diagonal passes while maintaining awareness of their teammates’ movements and the space around them. Players will pass diagonally across the grid, ensuring that they use both feet to pass and receive the ball.

The receiving player will control the ball, take a touch, and then dribble towards the next cone before passing diagonally to the opposite player. This practice will work on passing accuracy, touch, and player awareness, while also encouraging quick transitions between dribbling and passing.

Coaching Notes:

• Passing accuracy and weight – Emphasize the importance of passing with the correct weight and accuracy. The ball should travel along the ground and not be overhit, allowing the receiving player to control and continue the drill smoothly.

• Awareness of teammates – Encourage players to constantly scan their surroundings to understand where their teammates are and where the space is. This awareness will help them make better decisions about when and where to pass.

• Dribbling and control – Focus on controlling the ball with one touch and dribbling with speed and purpose. Players should be comfortable with receiving the ball in stride and quickly shifting direction to maintain the flow of the drill.

• Movement and positioning – Players should focus on moving into space after passing the ball. Encourage them to anticipate the next pass and position themselves accordingly, whether they are opening up for a return pass or preparing to receive the ball again.

• Use of both feet – Ensure that players are using both their left and right feet for passing and dribbling. This will help improve their versatility and confidence in different game situations.

Progression 1: Introduce a Defender

Introduce a passive defender to apply light pressure on the player receiving the ball. The defender’s role is to challenge the player receiving the pass by closing down the space and forcing them to make quicker decisions. The focus of this progression is on quick decision-making under pressure.

Focus: Improve decision-making and execution under pressure by incorporating a defender into the drill.

Progression 2: Add a Completion Goal

Set up mini goals at either end of the area. After completing a set of diagonal passes, the player receiving the ball can either take a shot or pass to a teammate to finish in the goal. This progression adds an end product to the drill, helping to link technical passing with finishing.

Focus: Increase intensity and add a goal-scoring element to the drill, emphasizing passing, movement, and finishing under pressure.