Improving Combination Play - U10 to U17 Advance Soccers Drills

This soccer drill will help improve combination play as well as switching the point of attack. Use this drill when you are organizing a soccer practice around passing and moving.
Soccer Drill contributed by: Chris Johnson

Soccer Drill Info:
This is for ages U10, U12, U14, U16, U17 and up. Run this soccer drill with at least 12 players but no more than 16. This soccer drill should last approximately 25 minutes on a 1/2 field. Make sure you have the following equipment: cones, alternate jersey.

Soccer Drill Diagram

Setup:
Create a grid approximately 40X40 yards. The area of the grid can be increased or decreased depending on the number of players and/or the skill level of the players. Split your team into 2 even groups with no more than 8 players per group. Make sure the teams are easily distinguished with colored bibs (“pennies”). Have the RED team place a player in one corner of the grid and another player in the diagonal opposite corner of the grid. Have the BLUE team do the same thing on the 2 open corners of the grid.

Instructions:
The players in the middle will play keep away from the opposing team while trying to score points. A point is scored each time a team passes the ball into their team’s corner player, who then must play a first time ball to a third player on the same team. The original passer then becomes the corner player.

Variations:

* If players are still struggling with 1-touch passes, increase the number of touches from the corner players to 2-touch.
* Limit the inside players touches to encourage passing.

Coaching Points:

* Make sure players inside the grid play early balls to quickly change the point of attack.
* Players must play together and be thinking ahead in order to effectively support the attack.
* Corner players are able to move around the corner to adjust their positioning.

Focus:
Technical Passing, Tactical Support, Tactical Possession, Tactical Transition, Tactical Movement with/Without The Ball, Tactical Switching Point of Attack, Tactical Combination Play