Hiya - what aspects of the passing seems not to be working? The choice of pass, the type of pass, when to pass etc? 

and what sessions have you tried? 

Hi Tim.

I would say some players never actually look up, they just run like a bull to a rag.

Other players play either the wrong pass, a long pass (which is difficult at this standard) or the wrong power in the pass 

Other players don't seem to know which runs to make or how to make themself available to an easy pass 

We have tried the basic passing sessions, some I've found on this site, others I've found on the coaching manual website. I've even been on YouTube. Anything too technical I'm scared they won't understand or take on board. I've done Rondo's, 2v2 on a small pitch, 2v1, 3v2. They seem to do those alright but when match day comes it's all forgotten. We've done 6v6 attacking with a big goal and a keeper. They struggle with that as it mimics a match attacking situation. 

Any help appreciated.

Thanks 

Hi Benjamin great question. 

Can I ask do your kids play out from the back, does the goalie mainly kick it long. The reason I ask is when we experience the 2v2's, 3v2's in training the players are close together so success is easier. If on game day the ball is sent long alot it pulls everybody apart and stretches the game making the passing interactions they are experiencing in training very tough to replicate, so the game day becomes a completely different experience and we don't get any transfer from our training sessions.

I would maintain the very small SSG's and overloads in training with experiences of 7 v 4, the 7 playing out from the back from the goalie to 3 separate targets on the half way line, rotate them continuosly as will be much higher success for the 7 and alter the level of overload dependingon success to progressively make it more challenging. I would also apply the same constraint in game that we play out from the back keeping everybody closer connected and engaged and offering higher success in passing interactions as the players are closer together.

Search for sessions on breaking lines as well and encourage the kids to keep it short but give them the freedom to exploit an opportunity to go long if they see an opportunity and coach the elements of not forcing the pass but trying to find the right opportunity/moment. Only experiences can help them develop so we want consistency in their training to match day to aid transfer.

If the league position is important then maybe organise some friendlies against opposition a year down to make the close connection passing combinations and playing out from the back easier to achieve but make the focus in these games the passing combinations and staying connected rather than turning the game into a cricket score for your kids, so apply constraints throughout the game if it is far to easy for your team and treat it as a pro active ball retention game to break into the correct areas of the pitch, rather than the focus on scoring goals but more being creative to get into the right areas. Communicate with the other coach so he understands before you go into any friendlies what your outcomes from the experience are.

Have a great end to your season Ben ️

hi Benjamin,

Is there a wrong pass, it might be the right pass for the individual.

Try asking Why they made it, What did they see infront of them and around them, Who was calling/asking for the ball.

I think once they practice their decision making through their eyes and mind thats when it will improve.