Soccer passing drills for kids
Good soccer passing drills teach two things at once: an accurate pass, and where to move next. This page puts our passing drills in the order to teach them, from a first game in pairs to rondos and possession games.
A pass is a message to a teammate. It works when the passer looks up, the ball is firm and on the ground, and the receiver has moved to where they can be seen.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
The inside-of-the-foot pass
- Standing foot beside the ball, pointing at the target.
- Kicking foot turned out, toe up a little, ankle locked.
- Strike through the middle of the ball so it stays on the ground.
- Follow through toward the target, then move.
What to teach at each age
- U6: a few minutes of passing in pairs. Dribbling comes first.
- U8: pairs and gates, then 2v1 so passing has a purpose.
- U10: triangles, give-and-go and the 3v1 rondo.
- U12: 4v2 rondos and possession games with a change of roles.
Passing drills, in teaching order
- Wall passingSolo: a firm pass and a clean touch, both feet. U6 to U12.
- Partner passing through gatesPairs: a point for each pass through a gate. U6 to U10.
- Triangle passingFours: pass, follow and receive on the back foot. U8 to U12.
- Give-and-goPass, run past the defender, get it back. U8 to U12.
- Rondo 3v1Keep-away with help on both sides of the ball. U8 to U12.
- Rondo 4v2Find the pass between two defenders. U10 to U12.
- Three-team keep-awayPossession, with a quick change when the ball is lost. U10 to U12.
- End zone gameForward passes for a runner who arrives on time. U8 to U12.
- Four-goal gameSwitch the ball to the open side. U8 to U12.
Example: Rondo 3v1
A 3v1 rondo is a keep-away game in which three players pass the ball around a small square while one defender in the middle tries to win it. It trains quick passing, support on both sides of the ball and a first touch away from pressure. See the full drill.
Common passing mistakes
- Toe pokes, which are fast but not accurate.
- Passing and standing still. The pass is half the job.
- Passes that bounce. Keep the knee over the ball.
- Drills with no defender for too long. Passing is a decision as well as a technique.
Questions about passing drills
How do you teach kids to pass a soccer ball?
Show the inside of the foot, then play a game in pairs with a score, such as passing through gates. Add a defender as soon as the technique is steady.
What is the best passing drill for U10?
The 3v1 rondo. It has a real defender, everyone touches the ball often, and it teaches support on both sides of the ball.
Why do my players pass to the other team?
Usually because they look up too late or no teammate has moved into view. Scanning games and rondos work on both problems.
Lessons to go with these drills
- Step Out of the Blocked Lane (7v7 lesson)Move so the defender is no longer between you and the ball.
- Move Out of the Passing Shadow (9v9 lesson)Move to change the passing lane, then read the defender again.
- A Wall Pass, or Keep It (7v7 lesson)Use a teammate to go around pressure, but check whether the return is still open.
- Find the Other Side (9v9 lesson)Move the ball through support when the nearby routes close.
Keep reading
- Soccer drills to do at homeSolo and parent-and-child drills for a yard, a driveway or a wall
- Soccer dribbling drills for kidsBall mastery, ball-each games, turns and 1v1 for every age
- Soccer shooting drills for kidsShooting and finishing drills without long lines, for U6 to U12
- First touch soccer drills for kidsReceiving drills: back foot, touch into space, turning and high balls
- Soccer goalkeeper drills for kidsSet position, catching, angles and distribution for U10 and U12, with soft service
- Give-and-go (soccer term)Pass, run past the defender, get it back
- Switching play (soccer term)Moving the ball to the empty side
- Central midfielder in soccerThe link player who receives on the turn
- All soccer drills for kids46 soccer drills and practice games for U6 to U12, each with a setup diagram, coaching points and the lesson it trains
- Soccer practice plans for kids12 ready-to-use soccer practice plans for U6, U8, U10 and U12, each with a clock table, equipment list and linked drills
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.