Bounce and Spread

Objective

• -Use a bounce pass
• -Improve first touch detail
• -Create passing triangles

Setup

1. 1Set up a small box with one central player in a bib.
2. 2Place the other players around the outside of the box.
3. 3Each outer player has a ball or the group shares one ball.

How to play

1. 1The outside player passes into the centre and follows the pass.
2. 2The central player lays the ball back first time or with one touch.
3. 3The first player then moves to a new outside spot.
4. 4Keep the ball moving to different sides of the box.
5. 5Change the central player regularly.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Heavy lay-offs
• -Static support from the outside
• -Passing without a clean first touch