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ByCopper Mountain Soccer

Passing and Positioning

Coach: Renata Lawson

Club: Copper Mountain Soccer Club

Role: Director of Coaching

Qualification: USSF “C” (United States)

Date: September 20, 2022

Duration: 1 hour

Age Group: U8–U18

Session Objective

Improve passing technique, passing angles, and player positioning.

Warm-Up: Two-Touch Passing

Description

Set up several pairs of cones 15 yards apart, with no more than two players per cone and at least 10 yards between sets.

  • The receiving player takes a prep touch to set up the pass
  • The second touch is a pass back to the opposite cone
  • After passing, the player follows the pass and joins the line at the opposite cone

Players continuously rotate so they are always preparing to receive again.

Coaching Points

  • Use the inside of the foot for a clean prep touch
  • Open hips to allow the prep touch to move into space
  • Follow through with a locked ankle and toes pointed up
  • Hips should be square to the target
  • Condition players to move immediately after passing

Activity 1: Passing Angles

Description

Set up three cones at least 10 yards apart. Use the following passing pattern:

  1. Player 3 passes to Player 6
  2. Player 6 receives with their left foot and passes to Player 2
  3. Player 2 receives with their right foot and passes to Player 9
  4. Player 9 looks to find the player positioned between Players 3 and 2 and passes to set up a shot

After one repetition, rotate players:

  • Player 3 → middle cone
  • Player 6 → Player 9’s position
  • Player 9 → Player 2’s starting cone
  • Player 2 → far left cone

Coaching Points

  • Receive the ball with the upfield foot
  • Reinforce a quality prep touch before passing
  • Encourage passing at angles, not straight lines
  • Time runs so players arrive at the right passing angle
  • Encourage longer passes when available
  • Ask players: Why does spacing help us keep possession and move forward?

Activity 2: Directional Zone Soccer

Description

Divide players into two teams and assign positions. Each team attacks a designated scoring zone.

  • A point is scored when a teammate receives a pass inside their scoring zone
  • After a goal, the scoring team leaves the ball for the opponent to build out of the back
  • The defending team must retreat behind the halfway line until the ball exits the zone
  • If possession is lost during build-out, the defending team may immediately press and attack

Coaching Points

  • Look for angled passes that break lines
  • Reinforce proper passing technique (no toe kicks)
  • Encourage players to check in to receive
  • Receive with the upfield foot
  • Communicate to help teammates see passing options
  • Avoid passes that don’t progress the ball
  • Emphasize positional boundaries
  • Pass, then move immediately
  • Ask players: How can you help move the ball forward faster?

Activity 3: Scrimmage – Passing & Positioning

Description

Scrimmage focused on:

  • Throw-ins
  • Building out of the back (use the halfway line as the build-out line)

Coaching Points

  • Look for angled passes
  • Reinforce passing technique
  • Check in to receive
  • Receive with the upfield foot
  • Communicate constantly
  • Pass and move
  • Ask players: How can you help move the ball forward quickly?

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