Pass and Peel

Objective

• -Warm up with team movement
• -Improve pass then move habits
• -Create simple support angles

Setup

1. 1Mark a 30 x 25 yard area with four corner cones and a centre channel.
2. 2Split players into two groups with one ball per group.
3. 3Place each group in a line at opposite corners or sides.

How to play

1. 1The first player passes and then peels away to a new cone.
2. 2The next player receives, turns if needed, and passes to the following station.
3. 3Players must keep moving after each pass rather than standing still.
4. 4Encourage a short call for the next receiver before the ball arrives.
5. 5Swap the direction after a few minutes so both sides of the body work.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Players admiring their pass
• -Running into the same space
• -Poor body shape when receiving