The player receives the ball, taking control of it before moving around the pole and passing the ball back to the coach.
Touches
- Sole touch - player stops the ball with their sole before using the outside of the boot to take their touch around the pole before passing the ball to the coach.
- Inside foot - player takes a touch around the back of the pole before passing the ball back.
- Outside foot - player uses the outside of their foot to take a touch around the pole before passing the ball back.
Body shape to receive the ball
Distances, maximise the space to get the touch around the pole
Getting the feet in the set position, keeping the feet shoulder width apart
You should set out a ladder and ask the player to go through the following footwork patterns, repeat each pattern 3 times, and spend more time on certain patterns if you notice your player needs additional help:
- 1 foot in each space
- Both feet in each space
- Icky Shuffle
- Both feet in each space, working laterally
Once the player leaves the ladder, 5-10 yard acceleration
You can then play a ball in to the player as they leave the ladder with the player driving with the ball 5-10 yards.
- Can the player work their feet and arms together?
- Can the player remain balanced whilst passing the ball?
- Encourage the player to demonstrate quality more than speed
Triangle Passing Drill
The athlete should bounce passes either side of the left pole, before checking out to the back pole and receiving a longer pass. They will take their touch around the back of the pole and play a return pass to the coach and then move to the outside of the right pole and repeat the pattern in the opposite direction.
PROGRESSION :
- Flip the pattern - position yourself at the top of the practice with the athlete behind the top pole and creating a V shape. Again they should play bounce passes either side of the pole before dropping back and taking a touch around the side pole and passing back to the coach. They them come short to the middle pole again to repeat in the opposite direction, creating a V shaped movement.
- Repetition - play 3-pass bounce passes between the 2 side pole (middle - left - middle - right etc). When the coach calls a side (right/left/middle), the player will drop out to receive the pass and dribble to the top pole before playing a return pass to the coach.
- Footwork - ensure athlete is moving their feet properly to help maintain balance and quality of passes
- Technique - focus on how they are passing the ball, using the 3 main points (movement to the ball, step into the pass, use instep)
- Scanning - ensure the athlete is constantly aware of the picture that is around them, including the space & angles they have.
The player plays 2 bounce passes before dropping back to receive the ball. The player takes a touch around the back of the mannequin before passing back to the coach. The player gets their body open to receive the ball, taking their touch past the mannequin before getting a shot off on goal.
Quality of pass - using the inside foot, standing foot next to the ball and striking the centre of the ball.
First touch - wedge touch out of the feet, step into the touch to create distance and set up for the pass.
