U9–U10 · Coaching decisions
Give a passer a useful place to move next
Replace aimless movement after a pass with a new angle that the ball carrier can actually use.
CSV opens in a spreadsheet. Record anonymous group observations and keep the file on your device.
What you might see
Players either stand still after passing or run directly at the receiver. The group ends up in a line, leaving the carrier with one blocked option.
Check the cause first
Movement has no target
Ask the passer to show where a return pass could travel. If they cannot see a route, “move more” is too vague; first identify a different angle.
The passer follows the ball
If the player runs into the receiving space, show a route outside the ball path. Helpful support can be sideways or behind the carrier, not only forward.
Set up a focused activity
Use six players in two groups of three, two balls and eight cones. Each group uses a 10 × 10 m square with a clear 2 m buffer. Put a cone at each corner. Three players occupy three corners; the fourth corner starts empty.
Use this as a short part of your practice. Explain one stage, allow several attempts and pause to observe before adding the next stage. Include water and rest whenever needed.
Show the return route
A passes along an open side to B. Before moving, A points to the empty corner and checks whether moving there will offer B a new angle. C stays available at a different corner.
Travel around the outside
A walks toward the empty corner outside the passing lane. B chooses either available partner. The next passer identifies the new space before moving; stop if two players head for the same place.
Remove the fixed destination
After the group understands angles, let the passer move to any useful space near the square rather than requiring the empty cone. Ask the carrier whether they can see two different options.
Use the idea in 3v3
On a clear 20 × 25 m area plus 2 m buffer, score by a controlled pass over the end line to a teammate. Watch the passer after the ball leaves: do they make a new route or occupy the receiver’s space?
One cue to try: Pass, find a new angle, show for the return.
Watch, then choose the next step
- Passer moves clear of the ball path.
- Carrier has two different passing angles.
- Movement leaves room for the receiver.
If it is too difficult
Pause after each pass and let the carrier point to a useful support position. Walking gives everyone time to see the shape.
When the group is ready
Let the next pass happen before the first passer finishes moving, provided players keep separate routes and remain in control.
Do not count every run as success. If players move often but the ball carrier still has one option, return to showing angles and reduce the speed of the activity.
Use the observation sheet to compare what you saw before and after one change. It is a coaching note, not a player score or a promised rate of improvement.
Take the next step
Build it into a complete practice
Passing Triangle includes a full timeline, activity maps and player rotations. Choose the player count, equipment and duration before downloading.
Open Passing TriangleFurther reading
Session Pitch wrote the worked example and decision steps above. These coaching resources informed the general principles:
- How to work on the principles of football — Support, movement and space offer ways to help the player with the ball.
- How to build a passing session — Space, numbers and scoring incentives influence passing decisions.
Reviewed 20 October 2026. Original guidance; not affiliated with or endorsed by the FA or FIFA. These examples have not been evaluated in live coaching sessions.