A scanning and awareness passing drill (from the scanning-circle family, e.g. Soccer Coach Weekly and SoccerXpert). A ring of players each have a ball except one; the player in the middle has to scan, spot who hasn't got a ball, and pass to them. Sharpens heads-up scanning and quick, accurate passing.
Mid (U9 to U13)Older (U14 to U18)Warm-upPassing & receivingPossessionFitness & movementScanning & awareness
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In play
The setup
Step by step
1
Everyone on the circle has a ball except one player.
2
One at a time, a player passes their ball in to the middle.
3
The middle player scans, spots who hasn't got a ball, and passes to them.
4
That player now has a ball, keep it flowing; rotate the player in the middle.
Age group
Mid (U9 to U13), Older (U14 to U18)
Duration
10 to 15 mins
Players
7 or more: a circle of six (or more) with one player in the middle
Area
A circle, roughly 15 to 20 yards across (scale it to the group)
Equipment
A ball for every player except one, and a marked circle (cones, or use the centre circle)
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial
Objective
Sharpen scanning and awareness: the middle player checks around the circle before the ball arrives so they already know who is free.
Set up
A circle of players, each with a ball except one. One player in the middle with no ball.
Coaching points
Scan before the ball arrives, look around the circle so you already know who is free
Receive with an open body so you can see the whole circle
Pass firmly and accurately to the player who has not got a ball
Heads up and communicate so two balls never go to the same player
Progressions
Two touches, then one touch, to speed the scanning up
Add a second ball (two players short) so the middle has to track two at once
Add a second player in the middle
Call the receiver by name, or make eye contact, before you pass
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