Small-Unit PASSING DRILLS.

WINNING SOCCER basically emanates from a variety of pass combinations, perhaps the most important of which is the three-player combination of up-back-through.

Also of significant consequence are the two-player combinations that have to be learned by rote.

All of these combinations can end in a shot on goal.

Quickness with the ball and quick movement off the ball are the hallmarks of efficient team play.

Though the game is played on a large field with 22 players, it is actually taught in smaller areas with small units of players.

The accompanying drills have been designed without opposition (defense), as we believe the combinations should be learned before any opposition is introduced.

Any number of players, each with a ball, can set up in a group and begin by dribbling the ball with no limits in terms of space or touches (step-touch, step-touch, etc.).

At a call by the coach, "Left!" or "Right!", the dribbler must respond with a rapid move followed by a short kick of six to eight yards. The rapid drive of the ball simulates the action of turning with the ball and escaping from the opponent as quickly as possible.

The player can then pick up his step-touch, step-touch dribbling and continue dribbling, turning, driving, and picking up the dribble - slow, turn, fast, and back to slow. The slow dribble controls the ball while the drive carries the ball away from pressure and danger.

From time to time, at the beginning of practice, the players can stop and stretch, incorporating the stretching into the training program without isolating it from the work with the ball.

DIAGRAM 1

The next drill involves two players (A and B) working together side by side, passing and dribbling down the field. Once they start down the field, a second unit may follow, then a third, enabling the whole team to participate in the drill.

As A begins his dribble, B runs slowly behind (and square to A) so that he can run on to a ball passed on the square. Note: Balls passed forward (of square) are much harder to receive and control.

The passer can strike the ball with the outside of his right foot or the inside of his left foot. We prefer the pass with the outside of the right foot, as it is quicker and does not cross in front of the defender's body.

The pass with the inside of the left foot is more predictable and also sends the ball across the defender's body, making it easier to intercept.

The receiver can trap the pass with the outside of his left foot or the inside of his right foot. We prefer the latter as it will put the ball between the receiver's two feet, facilitating ball-control.

The roles are now reversed and the pattern can continue with a pass from the receiver on the right (B) to the player on the left (A) running behind (square).

Other two-player combinations can be run from this alignment, including the wall pass, give-and-go, take-over dribble, and the pass and overlap combination.

DIAGRAM 2

This exercise involves three players in a basic drill suitable for any program.

A delivers a short pass to B who return-passes to A, who then delivers a through pass to C well up the field.

The pass pattern is short-short-long. The second pass tends to draw the opponents to the ball, while the third pass sends the ball well away from the opponents and the pressure.

The long pass is delivered by striking the moving ball. The ball should always be moving. There is no such thing as a dead ball in soccer unless it is called by the referee.

The sequence of passes is also called up-back-through. As mentioned, the second short pass conceals the point of attack, and the third pass penetrates the defense. This is the basic three-player pattern of passes that must be understood and used by all the players.

Note that the three players are not in a straight line so that the players can deliver long passes from one end to the other, without the middle player being in a position to interfere with the long pass or bring a defender into the middle of the situation.

Players should learn to pass and follow the ball. Thus, A delivers the short pass to B and follows by running in an arc to receive the return pass from B and then delivering the long pass to C (as shown in Diag. 2).

B will then run to A's original position, while A will follow his pass to assume a position about 10 yards in front of C. The exercise is then run back to the original positions

You thus have three players changing positions and following their passes -- short-short-long and up-back-through. A basic drill.

DIAGRAM 3

Four players align in a kite-like formation, with C having the ball and A and B lending support to the left and right. Instead of standing square to the ball or even a little behind square, A and B set up a little upfield in a more attacking mode.

Note: This is the modern game of soccer: prepare to attack rather than prepare to defend. Many pass combinations can be run from this form.

* C can drive the ball toward B and run a wall pass, then send a through pass to D waiting upfield. Or C can run the same pass combination to the left with A. (All exercises can be run to the right or left.)

* C can also pass to B and run an overlap to the outside of B, who will pass on to C as he runs upfield.

* Even better, C can pass to B, run the overlap by B, and B can pass to A, who will deliver a quick pass to C on the overlap. The next pass would be to D. Where will the next pass be delivered? Who will run to receive the next pass? Options appear and multiply during in the exercises. The coach cannot dictate the next moves.

DIAGRAM 4

At this point a player is added to the middle of the kite (X), who can be used to distribute the ball from one player to the other or from the rear to the front. To do this, the central player (X) is placed a little off center so that a pass from either side can be delivered to the other side with no interference in the middle.

The same is true for a pass from the back of the formation to the front (a long-axis pass). Many pass combinations can be executed with the addition of this fifth player.

* Player C can pass to B and run an overlap with B, who will pass back to C when he is ahead of the ball. C can now work with D in a variety of ways -- pass or a give-and-go in combination.

* C can pass to B and run the overlap with the ball being passed to X, who will play it to C. Both of these exercises can be run to the right or left.

* C can pass to X and follow his pass by running directly up the field. X will turn and pass on to D who will back pass to C, who started the combination. Players A and B should run forward to give support left and right.

* C can pass directly to D who will back pass to X, giving rise to many variations.

* Finally, C can pass to X and while C runs an overlap with B, X can pass to A.

DIAGRAM 5

The last grouping is for six players working together about 15 to 20 yards apart, with less distance needed for younger players. One player is placed at each station with extra players behind stations A and D.

The objective is to train the players in the up-back-through combination with the plays running in a counterclockwise direction.

Player A will pass to B, who will back-pass to A. A will then pass to C, who will back-pass to B. B will pass to D, who will back-pass to C, who will dribble to D and take his place in line behind D.

At the same time, D will pass to E to start the combination in the opposite direction. This side will end with F dribbling to A and taking a position behind him.

In the beginning, the passes can be delivered with unlimited touches, but the goal is to continue developing a routine of one-time touch passing with quick running off the ball.