Passing and receiving are 2 of the most important skills in football
Many new coaches spend most of their time focusing on how players strike the ball and very little time looking at what happens before the pass is made
The reality is that good passing usually starts with movement, awareness and decision making
If you’re coaching U7-U12 players, here are five things worth looking for in your next session
Can Players Create Passing Options?
The player on the ball cannot pass if nobody helps them
Watch the players away from the ball
Are they moving?
Are they creating angles?
Can they be seen?
A simple challenge for young players is to create at least two passing options whenever their teammate has possession
Do Players Move After Passing?
One of the most common mistakes in youth football is passing and standing still
Good players continue supporting the attack
The pass should often be the start of the next movement rather than the end of the action
Ask:
“Where can you help next?”
Can They Receive Away From Pressure?
Players should gradually learn to receive into space rather than back towards pressure
At younger ages this might simply mean taking a touch away from an opponent
At older ages it may involve opening the body and preparing for the next action
Do They Look Forward First?
At my current setup, we want players to understand a simple principle:
Can we play forward?
If the answer is yes, great.
If not, can we keep possession and find another solution?
This develops players who can recognise opportunities rather than simply kicking the ball forward
Are They Helping Their Teammates?
Passing and receiving is a team skill
Players should begin to understand that their movement helps others
Supporting teammates, creating angles and communicating are all part of becoming a better passer
Activity – 3v1 Rondo
Focus less on counting passes and more on observing:
✓ Can players create angles?
✓ Can they move after passing?
✓ Can they receive under control?
✓ Can they recognise opportunities to play the ball behind the defender?
Final Thoughts
Passing and receiving is about far more than technique.
The best young players learn to:
Create passing options
Support teammates
Receive away from pressure
Recognise opportunities to play forward
Make better decisions
Develop these habits consistently and players will become more effective in every area of the game.
Want To Go Deeper?
Inside the Foundation Age Coaching Membership you’ll find:
✓ The Complete Passing & Receiving Coaching Guide (U7-U12)
✓ Downloadable PDF coaching reference guide
✓ Age-specific technical and tactical outcomes
✓ Coaching language examples
✓ Session plans linked to Passing & Receiving
✓ Session Builder and Session Pathway Planner tools to help plan your next block of training