The skill cues to coach
For a basic pass, the ball carrier starts with two hands on the ball, identifies a target in front of the receiver, moves the ball across the body, and finishes with both hands pointing towards that target. Once the ball has gone, the passer moves to support. The receiver moves towards the ball, reaches out to give the passer a target, keeps their hands ready, and watches the ball into their hands. Those cues are enough for a first session. A long technical speech is not.
- Pass with two hands and keep the ball between waist and chest height before release.
- Aim in front of the receiver rather than at the place they have just left.
- Finish with the hands pointing towards the target.
- Receive with the hands up and fingers spread, then watch the ball all the way in.
- Move to support after passing instead of standing still.
- Keep the passing action sideways or backwards; Law 11 does not permit an intentional throw or pass forward.
Set up before the players arrive
Mark a clear playing area with enough room for every pair to work without crossing another pair's path. Put spare balls at the edge so one dropped pass does not stop the whole group. Decide which single cue you will watch first, and prepare one easier version and one harder version of each activity. This session is about handling and movement, so it does not need tackling or any other contact element.
Build from rehearsal to a decision
Show the picture
Brief
Demonstrate one pass in each direction. Point out two hands, the target in front of the receiver, hands following the ball, and the passer moving to support.
Pass while moving
Build
Put players in pairs and have them walk, then jog, across the space while passing both ways. Ask receivers to reach towards the ball and keep moving forward onto it.
Add a choice
Progress
Give the ball carrier two possible receivers and use a passive defender to close one option. The ball carrier now has to look, choose a target, pass, and support the receiver.
Finish with a game
Play
Use a small-sided, non-contact game in which a team keeps possession by passing and moving into space. Stop only when safety or one repeated skill problem makes intervention worthwhile.
What good looks like
| Moment | Look for | Simple coaching prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Before the pass | Two hands on the ball and eyes finding the receiver | Show me the target |
| At release | The ball travels towards the receiver's path | Hands to the target |
| At the catch | Hands are ready and the receiver watches the ball in | Reach for it |
| After the pass | The passer moves to become another option | Pass, then support |
Adjust without stopping the session
- Make it easier by shortening the passing distance, slowing the movement, or removing the defender.
- Make it harder by changing the angle, adding a second receiver, or letting the defender move more freely.
- If catches break down, return to pairs and rebuild the receiver's target and movement before adding pressure again.
- If the game becomes a queue, enlarge the playing role of every player or split the group into two games.
Finish by asking, not lecturing
Bring the group in and ask what made a pass easy to catch, what changed when the defender arrived, and where the passer could move next. Their answers tell you whether the session's picture was clear. Note the one skill problem that appeared most often and use it as the starting point for the next session rather than adding more content now.