Soccer Passing Square Warm-Up

A soccer-specific warm-up in 40-foot squares with a group at each corner: students dribble, pass, and follow the ball. It gradually warms up the lower body and reviews the first touch away from pressure and the inside-of-the-foot pass.

How to play

1. Set up 40 x 40-foot squares with a cone at each corner. Place 6-7 students per square spread over the four corners, with a ball at two opposite corners.
2. Minutes 0-2: easy dribble to the next corner clockwise, hand the ball off to the first player in line, and join the back.
3. Minutes 2-4: pass with the inside of the foot to the next corner and follow your pass; the receiver controls with the foot farther from the ball.
4. Minutes 4-6: add dynamic movement while following the pass: high knees, butt kicks, or side shuffles, as the teacher calls them.
5. Minutes 6-8: switch direction and play two-touch only: first touch toward the next cone, second touch pass.
6. Minutes 8-10: square challenge, complete 20 passes in a row without the ball leaving the square; finish with 10-yard accelerations to the cone.

Rules

• Passes stay on the ground and go to a teammate's feet, never full-power laces shots.
• Look up and call the receiver's name before passing.
• If a ball rolls into another square, wait for them to pause before getting it.
• No tackling or fighting for the ball during the warm-up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student holds a fixed corner and passes by hand or foot from the wheelchair; the group adjusts pass speed.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with bells and a partner who claps before passing.
• Lower fitness: the student follows the pass at a brisk walk instead of running.

Learning goals

• Warm up the lower body gradually with soccer-specific movements.
• Improve the directional first touch and the inside-of-the-foot pass.
• Make quick decisions about where to take the first touch.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soccer balls: 10
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

Fix the plant foot pointing at the target, the most common passing error. Keep a spare ball at each square so play doesn't stop when one gets away.

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