⚽ 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.
✓Equipment checklist
✦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 → |
As an Amazon Associate, SimpleDrills earns from qualifying purchases. Prices shown on Amazon at time of click.
?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.