⚽ Passing
Pass and Follow
U7s default to dribbling forever.
Pass and Follow — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Weight of pass that the receiver can control first time
◆Why this drill works
U7s default to dribbling forever. Passing requires three things: a friend, the willingness to give the ball away, and the awareness to move afterward. This drill makes all three concrete. Pass to a teammate, then run to take their spot. Repeat. By minute 5, every U7 has passed 20+ times — more than they'd manage in a full match. The 'follow your pass' rule plants the seed of the most important football habit: don't watch the ball, MOVE. It's the same principle that underpins tiki-taka and total football, just at U7 scale.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- Set up three cones in a straight line, 6 yards apart. Three players line up — one at each cone. One ball at the first cone.
- Player 1 passes (gentle, ground pass) to Player 2. Then Player 1 RUNS to where Player 2 was standing. Player 2 controls, then passes to Player 3 and runs to Player 3's cone. Player 3 controls and the cycle restarts.
- Cue: 'side of foot, like a hug'. The pass is with the inside of the foot, soft enough that the receiver can stop it without effort. NOT with the toe (toe = wild ball). NOT hard (hard = receiver can't control it).
- After 3 minutes, switch direction — now player 3 starts, passes to 2, follows, etc. Reverse helps the weaker foot get reps.
- After 5 minutes, change to a triangle. Three cones in a triangle (6 yards each side). Same rule: pass and follow your pass. Now players are passing in different directions.
- Last 2 minutes: open the triangle to a square (4 cones, 4 players). Same rule. With a square, players can choose who to pass to — first taste of decision-making in passing.
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Weight of pass that the receiver can control first time
- Scanning before receiving to know the next option
Correct when you see
- Heads down — encourage scanning before the ball arrives
- Forcing the pass when keeping it was the better option
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Reliable touch for passing reps. | Check price → |
| Value | Disc Cones (50-pack) | Set up grids and gates fast. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Rebounder Net | Solo passing & first-touch work. | Check price → |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is Pass and Follow suitable for?
This drill suits youth. For younger players, shorten the distances and slow the tempo; for older players, reduce the touches allowed and add pressure.
How many players do I need for Pass and Follow?
This drill works well with around 10 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does Pass and Follow take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to run it — about 18 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.