West Allegheny Youth Soccer Association Coach's Corner

Passing for 8 – 14 Year Olds

Inside of the foot (Push pass)
(Technical Tips)

1. The inside of the kicking foot remains square to the target throughout the entire motion.
2. The toes of the kicking foot are elevated slightly higher than the heel with the ankle remaining “locked.”
3. If possible, the body is square to the target.
4. The shoulders and center of gravity are forward throughout.
5. The supporting foot is pointed at the target and it is on the same plane as the ball.
6. Strike through the middle or just above the middle of the ball.
7. Follow through towards the target with the striking foot remaining open throughout.

Outside of the foot
(Technical Tips)

1. Point the striking foot down and in.
2. The striking foot’s ankle remains “locked” throughout.
3. The knee of the kicking foot is over the ball.
4. Keep the supporting foot behind the plane of the ball to allow room for the kicking foot’s movements.
5. Strike through the upper half of the ball to keep it low.

Instep (Laces)
(Technical Tips)

1. Approach the ball from a slight angle.
2. Place the non-kicking foot alongside the ball, pointing in the direction of the target.
3. Drive diagonally through the ball.
4. Hit below the middle for height or through the middle for a low driven pass.
5. Follow through to target.

Games

• Marbles: 2 players with ball each. Take turns hitting partners ball with one touch.
• Gate Games: Set up multiple goals with cones. Pairs pass through the goals. Race to pass through a set # of goals. Vary type of pass, play in pairs, threes & fours, etc.
• Siamese Soccer One pair with a ball try to pass ball onto other Siamese twins (2 players with arms
  (Pac Man in Pairs): hooked together) below knees. If hit, twins become a passing pair too.
• Barbarians: Small-sided game with a line of cones near each end line. Hit cone, scores a goal and add cone to your line of cones. Team with most cones is the winner.
• 4 Goal soccer: Small-sided game with 2 small goals on each end line. No goalkeeper.
• 2 Touch soccer: Small-sided game where each player must have at least 2 touches. No goalkeeper.
• 6 Goal Soccer: Small-sided game with 3 small goals on each end line. No goalkeeper.
• End Zone Game: Small-sided game with an end zones as goals. Score by passing to a teammate in the end zone. No goalkeeper.
• Multiple Goal Game: Small-sided game with multiple goals set up with cones (1 more goal than the number of players on a team). Score by passing through a goal to a teammate on the other side. No goalkeeper.
• One Goal Game: Small-sided game using one double-sided goal and goalkeeper.