Common Elements:

1. Time-
   · How long can one group of players hold and control the ball? (One minute, two minutes?) Or can they hold it longer?
   · How many passes in a row can one team make before losing possession of the ball? (Ten? More?)
2. Velocity-
   · How hard do you want the ball passed? (A soft pass to space, or a hard pass to feet?)
   · How hard does the player run? (Run hard? Jog, and then change pace? Jog? Keep moving, even if only walking?)
3. Height Of The Pass-
   · Do you want the ball delivered on the ground?
   · Do you want the ball delivered in the air?
4. Direction-
   · Where is the ball to go? (To feet, to space?)
5. Space-
   · What is the size of the space to be used? (Large or small). Small space is more demanding. (Pass more accurately and react more rapidly) Large space gives more time to react and conceals passing errors.
   · What is the shape of the space? (Wide or long). Long narrow space forces long axis passes, while a wide space forces more square and back passes.
   · Both have a purpose depending on what the session is about.
6. Distance-
   · Short passes need to be more accurate, as the time for a player to get into a position to receive the ball is also short.
   · Long passes give the receiving player more time to get in the path of the ball.
   · Short passes often transfer pressure from one player to the next.
   · Long passes deliver the ball to a place where there is less pressure.
7. Rules-
   · What are the rules to be observed? (Two touch passing? Ignore the offside law? Wall pass before shooting?) Change the rules if they are not working. Rules should be simple and few in numbers.

At the training session, there are three basic ideas to keep in mind.

First, from the beginning, you must make it work. Whatever it is that you want to get out of the training session must be overcome.

• Give a clear statement of what is to be done.
• Why it is important.
• Show how it should be done.

Give concrete examples and proceed in small steps, that all can follow and understand. You must make it work. If not working, manipulate the elements mentioned above to make it work. Example would be to add more time or more space.

Second, Make it better, by making it harder for the players.

• Limit the touches on the ball. (Go from unlimited touches, to three touches, two touches or one touch.) This depends on the group’s age and skill level.
• Change the rules. (What are you teaching, how? Why?)
• Reduce the amount of space, the players can use. (Puts more demands on both passing and running.)
• Adding players fills the space and put more demands on the players.
• Does everyone know what to do? Where to go?

Third, introduce opposition, to the session.

• Introduce opposition. A simple change that should come as the last step, not the first. Players must develop confidence and courage in what they are doing before they face opposition. One player even just walking around may cause players to lower their heads and focus on the ball.
• The opposition could be a ratio of two attackers to one defender, if the players with the ball are expected to execute tactical options with their heads up. Other ratios are three on one, four on two and five on two. You can increase to include six on three or eight on four.

Any drill or activity, if done correctly, might help any team. The session should be worked correctly from the beginning. Knowing and understanding how to manipulate the basic elements of drills can help to make proper adjustments to assure success.

1. Make it work.
2. Make it better/harder.
3. Introduce opposition to the training.

It is important that if you add step 3 and it fails, go back and adjust. Keep it simple, and make it work.

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