A simple art with big impact

By David Clarke

If every team got its players to use passes with purpose, they would be much more successful in creating goalscoring opportunities. And by the same token, nothing will destroy a team more than inaccurate passing.

So here’s a move that will help players practise passing so it comes to them naturally during a match.

How to set it up:

• Mark out a 30x10 yards area with cones.
• Place four players around the area, one on each side.
• Use only one ball.

Getting started:

• The players on the short ends pass long and short.
  
• The players on the long sides must move to receive but can only pass short.
  
• Get the players moving the ball around in triangles, anticipating where the next player will run to.
  
• Mark out zones so the players on the longer sides are given some guidance of where to move to when they receive the ball.
• If it is a short pass, they run into the end zone nearest the passing player.
  
• For a long pass, they are in the zone farthest from the passing player.
  

Why this works:

The way to familiarise your players in passing with purpose is to get them passing long and short. Players need to learn not only how to pass well but to move into space so it is easier for the player on the ball to find them. The passing must be very accurate or the exercise breaks down.

In a match situation, coaches will often stand on the side of the pitch and see situations where a simple pass, long or short, could open up the opposition defence, but the opportunity is missed.

Practising the basics in a quick-moving scenario such as this will perfect technique as well as decision-making ability, so get your players doing this exercise to make them into mini Jack Wilsheres.

You can set up a few areas like this so the whole team is passing and moving at the same time.