Passes go behind or on the floor
Catchers stretching backwards, balls bouncing, moves dying after one pass
Why it happens
- They pass to where the receiver is standing, not where they're running to.
- They throw with their arms only, so the ball drops or drifts.
- Receivers don't show a target: hands down, standing still, too close.
- Under pressure they rush, and the pass comes out early and off-target.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Pass in front of them, so they run onto it.”
- “Hands up, show me a target.”
- “Follow through to your target with your fingers.”
- “Great pass! They didn't have to break stride.”
✗ Not this
- “Just throw it.”
- “What was that?!” after a dropped ball.
- Fixing every pass with a long technical talk.
- Blaming the catcher for a bad pass, or the passer for a dropped catch.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Walking passing square
How it works
- Set a 5m square. One player on each corner, the spare player in the middle.
- Players walk the ball around the square, passing to the next corner. Change direction on the coach's call.
- Then add a rule: the receiver must call a name or “here” before the ball is passed.
Coaching points
- Hands up and out as a target before the ball comes.
- Pass to where the receiver is going, not where they are.
- Catch, then turn the eyes to the next player straight away.
Ready for the next level when: The ball goes round 10 times without a drop, in both directions.
Catch and go
How it works
- A passer stands still. The catcher jogs past them, 3 steps away.
- The passer pops the ball in front of the catcher, who catches on the move and runs on to the end cone.
- The catcher becomes the next passer. Speed up as catches get cleaner.
Coaching points
- Hands up early, as a target.
- Catch it in front of you, then run. Don't slow down to catch.
- Passer: aim in front of the catcher, where they'll be, not where they are.
Ready for the next level when: Players catch on the move at a jog without slowing down, nearly every time.
Lead the runner
How it works
- A receiver jogs across in front of a passer standing still, 4–5 steps away.
- The passer aims a cone's width in front of the receiver, so they run onto the ball.
- Speed the receiver up. Then the passer jogs too.
Coaching points
- Pass to where they'll be, not where they are.
- Chest height, in front, so they don't break stride.
- Receiver: hands up early.
Ready for the next level when: Passes land in front of a jogging receiver at chest height nearly every time.
Stairs passing
How it works
- Four players line up like stairs: each one a step behind and to the side of the next.
- The front player starts with the ball and passes down the stairs. Every pass goes back to the next player.
- Walk forward keeping the stair shape, pass along the line, then come back the other way.
Coaching points
- If you can see the passer's back, you're in front. Drop back.
- Short, flat passes to the next stair.
- Keep the shape when you walk. Don't run ahead.
Ready for the next level when: The group passes along the stairs and back at a jog without a forward pass.
3v2 overlap
How it works
- Three attackers against two defenders in a wide channel. Defenders use a two-handed touch, not a tackle.
- The ball starts with the attacker on one edge. Attack has to get the ball to the free player.
- Defenders walk, then jog, then play at full speed. Rotate after each go.
Coaching points
- Ball carrier runs at a defender to hold them before passing.
- Free player: stay wide, call loud, be ready to catch at pace.
- Ask the carrier afterwards who the free player was and when they knew.
Ready for the next level when: The attack finds the free player most of the time with defenders at full speed.
Common coaching mistakes
- Long, fast passes before short, accurate ones.
- Only practising passes standing still.
- Blaming the catcher for a bad pass.
- Fixing technique mid-game instead of in a drill.