Welcome to Your Weekly Session Delivery
Every Tuesday, you’ll get a complete, ready-to-use session plan that your players will love and that actually develops their football intelligence.
Today’s session focuses on passing and receiving on the move, the foundation skill that separates good players from great ones.
Why This Skill Matters
Most young players can pass when standing still. Put them in a match where everything moves, and that passing ability disappears. The disconnect between static practice and dynamic games is one of the biggest development gaps in youth football.
Watch any professional match and you’ll notice: players rarely receive the ball while standing still. They’re constantly moving - checking to the ball, spinning away, adjusting their position. This movement isn’t random. It’s a trained habit.
The ability to:
- Receive the ball while moving
- Pass accurately while in motion
- Maintain rhythm and flow
- Read the movement of teammates
- Anticipate where to pass before receiving
…separates players who can “do the drill” from players who can “play the game.”
This session develops all of these skills progressively, building from simple individual work to match-realistic game situations.
Session at a Glance
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-Up | 10 min | Dynamic ball work, body preparation |
| Stage 1 | 8 min | Individual movement patterns |
| Stage 2 | 10 min | Partner passing on the move |
| Stage 3 | 7 min | Triangle passing with rotation |
| Game | 15 min | 4v4 with passing conditions |
| Total | 50 min |
Warm-Up (10 minutes): Dynamic Ball Work
Setup: Each player with a ball in a 20x20m area.
Activity Progression:
Minutes 0-3: Basic Movement
- Light jogging with ball at feet
- Inside/outside foot touches while moving
- Keep head up, scanning the space around
Minutes 3-6: Direction Changes
- Quick stops and starts with the ball
- Change of direction on whistle/command
- Practice turning with both feet
Minutes 6-10: Speed Variation
- Alternate slow dribbling and quick bursts
- Stop the ball dead, then accelerate away
- Change pace without losing control
Coaching Cues:
- “Eyes up - where is the space?”
- “Can you change direction without slowing down?”
- “Ball close when you’re changing pace”
Main Activity (25 minutes): Progressive Passing Circuit
Stage 1: Individual Movement (8 minutes)
Setup: Players continue in 20x20 area, each with a ball.
The Activity: Players move freely in the area, practising body shape and movement to receive imaginary passes. On your call, they receive from a specified direction:
- “Front!” - receive as if pass coming from ahead
- “Left!” - open body to receive from left
- “Right!” - receive from right
- “Behind!” - turn and receive
Why This Stage Matters: Before adding a passer, players need to understand the body positions required for different receiving scenarios. This builds muscle memory for correct technique.
Key Coaching Points:
- Body position opens BEFORE the imaginary ball arrives
- First touch takes them forward into space
- No stopping - receive and move in one motion
- Practice with both feet
Progression: Add a visual component - hold up coloured cones for players to find after their touch, forcing scanning.
Stage 2: Partner Passing (10 minutes)
Setup: Partners face each other, 15 yards apart. One ball per pair.
The Activity: Player A passes to moving Player B. Player B receives while moving and immediately passes back to moving Player A. Both players must be in motion when the ball arrives.
Rotation:
- 2 minutes: Player A passes, Player B moves and receives
- 2 minutes: Swap roles
- 2 minutes: Both moving throughout
- 4 minutes: Continuous movement, switching naturally
Key Coaching Points:
- “Pass into space ahead of your partner - lead them”
- “Show with your body where you want the ball”
- “Weight of pass must match their speed”
- “Never static - small movements count”
Common Problems and Fixes:
| Problem | What You See | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Too hard | Pass goes behind receiver | “Softer! Lead them gently” |
| Too soft | Receiver has to wait | “More pace - they’re moving” |
| Wrong angle | Ball goes to feet not space | “Where will they be, not where they are” |
| Static receiver | Stops to receive | “Keep moving even when you receive” |
Stage 3: Triangle Passing (7 minutes)
Setup: Groups of three in triangle formation, approximately 12-15 yards apart. One ball per group.
The Activity: Pass and move to the next position. Player A passes to Player B, then runs to B’s position. Player B receives, passes to Player C, and runs to C’s position. Continuous rotation.
Key Coaching Points:
- “Pass into space ahead of the moving player”
- “Start your run as your pass leaves your foot”
- “Maintain rhythm - don’t let the ball stop”
- “Call for the ball when you want it”
Progressions:
- Basic: Unlimited touches
- Two-touch: Control, pass
- One-touch: Immediate pass (advanced)
- Add direction: Always clockwise, then anti-clockwise
- Competitive: Count consecutive passes without error
Coaching Questions:
- “When should you start moving?”
- “Where do you need to pass for a one-touch return?”
- “How does communication help?”
Small-Sided Game (15 minutes): 4v4 Pass and Move
Setup: 30x20 yard area with goals at each end.
Rules:
- Must make 3 passes before scoring
- Players must be moving when receiving passes
- If ball goes to a static player, possession changes
Why These Conditions: The 3-pass requirement prevents direct play and forces passing combinations. The movement condition transfers the session focus directly into game context.
Coaching During the Game: Use freeze moments sparingly (maximum 3-4 in 15 minutes). When you freeze:
- “Where could you receive while moving?”
- “What made that pass work?”
- “How could we create a better angle?”
Progressions:
- Basic: Three passes, movement required
- Intermediate: Add two-touch maximum
- Advanced: Goals from one-touch finish worth double
What to Watch For:
- Players checking to the ball rather than standing still
- Quality of first touch - does it set up the next action?
- Communication between players
- Team rhythm and tempo
Key Coaching Points Summary
For Passing:
- Look before receiving: Scan for next pass option before ball arrives
- Pass into space: Lead moving teammates - where they’re going, not where they are
- Weight of pass: Match the speed of moving player
- Follow your pass: Move after passing to support or create new option
For Receiving:
- Body shape: Open to see field and next option before ball arrives
- First touch: Takes you toward your next action, never slows you down
- Movement timing: Start moving before ball arrives - don’t wait for it
- Communication: Call for ball when in good position, visual and verbal
Common Mistakes to Address
Static Receiving: Players stop to receive passes. Why it happens: Habit from static drills. Players think they need to “secure” the ball first. Solution: Emphasise constant movement, even small shuffling steps. “You can move AND receive.”
Poor First Touch: Ball goes away from intended direction. Why it happens: Body position isn’t set before ball arrives. No scanning before receiving. Solution: “Look, Move, Receive. In that order. Know where you’re going BEFORE the ball arrives.”
Late Passing: Holding ball too long, killing team rhythm. Why it happens: Decision-making is slow. Player focuses on receiving, then looks for options. Solution: “Scan before you receive. Your first look is for the next pass.”
No Communication: Silent players missing opportunities. Why it happens: Players don’t realise communication helps teammates. Solution: Demand verbal and visual communication. Praise calls even when pass doesn’t come.
Incorrect Pass Weight: Too hard or too soft for moving receiver. Why it happens: Passer thinks about where receiver is, not where they’re going. Solution: “Picture where they’ll be in one second. Pass there.”
Age-Specific Adaptations
U8-U10
- Larger spaces (reduce pressure)
- Fewer passes required (2 instead of 3)
- More individual ball work time
- Focus on fun and success
- Don’t penalise too strictly for static receiving
U11-U13
- Session as written
- Add competitive elements (count successful passes)
- Introduce tactical concepts (why movement helps)
- Begin one-touch challenges
- Higher expectations for communication
U14+
- Smaller spaces (increase pressure)
- Faster tempo throughout
- Add passive then active defenders
- Tactical connections to team playing style
- Position-specific receiving patterns
Progression Ideas for Future Sessions
- Add pressure: Include passive defenders who increase to active
- Increase tempo: Faster passing rhythm with time limits
- Vary distances: Mix short and long passes in same exercise
- Add conditions: Left foot only, maximum 2 touches
- Directional play: Must progress forward through zones
- Numbers up/down: Practice 3v2 or 2v3 situations
Session Wrap-Up
Finish with a quick discussion (2-3 minutes):
- “What made our passing better today?”
- “When was it easier to receive the ball?”
- “How can we use this in our next match?”
Let players answer. Their understanding of WHY these habits matter accelerates learning.
The Results You’ll See
After just 2-3 sessions focusing on this foundation:
- Players naturally check to ball instead of waiting
- Better first touches that set up next actions
- Improved team rhythm and flow
- More confident passing under pressure
- Communication becoming automatic
- Movement becoming instinctive
Ready for More?
This is just one session from our systematic approach to player development.
Try this session this week and watch how quickly your players improve their passing rhythm and spatial awareness.
Need more sessions like this?
Check out our complete 328 Training Sessions library - every drill designed using 360TFT principles for maximum player development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my players can’t complete the triangle passing?
Reduce the distance between players (10 yards instead of 15), allow unlimited touches, and slow the tempo. Success first, then add challenge. The progression matters more than hitting a specific difficulty level.
How do I enforce the “must be moving” condition in the game?
Start by coaching awareness rather than strictly penalising. Call out “static!” when you see it, let play continue, then freeze and discuss. Once players understand, begin enforcing possession changes.
What age is this session appropriate for?
The core concepts work from U8 upward with adaptations. Younger players need larger spaces and simpler conditions. Older players can handle tighter spaces and additional constraints.
Can I run this session with only 6 players?
Yes. Modify the game to 3v3 with the same conditions. Keep partner work the same. Triangle work stays identical. The principles transfer regardless of numbers.
How often should I repeat this session?
Run similar sessions (not identical) weekly for 4-6 weeks. Passing and receiving on the move is foundational - players benefit from repeated exposure with progressive challenge.
What if players get frustrated with the conditions?
The conditions might be too challenging. Reduce requirements (2 passes instead of 3) or remove the static player penalty temporarily. Build success, then add difficulty.
Want the complete systematic approach? The 360TFT Game Model provides 16-week development blocks that build on foundations like this.