The give-and-go pass is one of the most fundamental attacking moves in soccer that any young team should learn. However, getting the move to work in a game requires practice and even more practice
It is important for soccer coaches to choose the right drills that allow the players to perfect the techniques involved. This means picking drills that allow the attacking players to understand and practice the right moves.
What Is a Give-and-Go Drill in Soccer?
The concept of give-and-go is one of the most fundamental attacking ideas in soccer.
This is a 2v1 situation where two attackers move past a single defender. The move is also termed a combination pass or a wall pass. It is an effective attacking move to beat the last defender and score, without giving them a chance to tackle.
During the move, the first attacker moves with the soccer ball toward the goal, thereby drawing the nearest defender. As the defenders close in for a challenge or tackle, the attacker passes the ball to another teammate. The attacker then moves past the defender and collects a return pass.
To make this one-touch passing move work, the two attacking teammates should work in tandem to ensure perfect timing. Both attackers should collect and release the ball smoothly and sprint forward to get into the right position for collection.
While it may sound simple, this is a fairly complex move that requires a lot of practice. The give-and-go soccer drills are used to develop the necessary ball skills and timing that help in perfecting this move.
6 of the Best Give and Go Soccer Drills
Here are some of the best soccer practice drills for the give-and-go passing combination
1. 2v1 Soccer Square for a Give and Go
Set-Up
- 6 players
- A 7 x 7 yard playing area
- A soccer ball
Process
Place two target players and two bounce players on four sides of the field. The remaining two players will stand in the middle.
The drill starts with one target player passing the ball to one of the middle players. The middle player will then pose as an attacker and will have to pass the ball to the other target player by playing a give-and-go with a bounce player. The other middle player will act as the defender.
For each successful pass, the player will win a point. If the defender gains possession, the roles will be reversed. Each round of the drill will be three minutes and then the players will change roles.
Objective
The drill will help soccer players to think quickly, create spaces beyond the defender, and coordinate with the bounce player for passing the ball. It will also help them to practice communicating with the bounce players about where to receive the ball. Close observation of the defender and the ball simultaneously is also practiced.
2. Dribble and Support Via Triangle
Set-Up
- 8 players
- A square grid of suitable size
- 2 soccer balls
- 2 cones
Process
Place two cones in the center of the field opposite each other at a distance of 5 yards. Divide the players into two teams of four players. Two players from each team will stand behind the cones. The other three will take up positions on the field forming two triangles
The player in the right-hand corner marked as 1 starts the drill by dribbling toward the player in the center. The player in the center receives the ball and dribbles to the player in the other corner. Simultaneously, the other team will move ahead with the ball in a similar sequence from their end.
The drill continues by maintaining the progressions and ensuring that each player remains in perfect control of the ball.
Objective
The primary objective of the drill is practicing quick dribbling while maintaining ball control that will help in a give-and-go move. Each player also maintains eye contact with the next player while moving forward without losing the rhythm. This training session can also work as the perfect warm-up before a practice match.
3. Conditioned Game
Set-Up
- 12 players
- A 50 x 30 yard rectangular playing area
- One soccer ball
Process
Divide the players into 2 Targets, 5 Attackers, and 5 Defenders. Mark a 10 x 30 yard end zone at each end of the playing area. The two target players will remain in this zone while the remaining players will move inside the 30 x 30 square playing field.
One target player will pass the ball to one attacking player to start the drill. The attacking team will make the necessary soccer passing moves among them to pass the ball to the target player on the other end. The number of touches for each player can be limited to make the passing drill more challenging.
The attacking team will earn a point with each successful passage of the ball. If the defending team wins possession, they will earn a point and start playing as the attacking team. If the ball goes out of play, the play is restarted by throw-ins or kick-ins.
Objective
This youth soccer drill helps the players to improve passing accuracy and judge the right angle of approach for receiving a pass.
Players of higher age groups can also learn the art of disguising a pass from the opposite side while juggling the ball. Another skill that it teaches is observing the target during short or long passing.
4. Beat the Offside Line
Set-Up
- An even number of players
- A full-size playing field
- One soccer ball
- Soccer cones
- Two soccer goals with goalies
Process
Divide the players into two teams and mark an offside line on each end of the playing field beyond the 18-yard box. Arrange the teams into any playing combination based on the number of players.
The attacking team can go beyond the offside line only by playing a give-and-go pass. The defenders are not allowed behind the line unless such a pass has been played. The attacking team gets a bonus point each time a goal is scored after a give-and-go pass.
The roles can be reversed after 15 minutes of play. To make the soccer session more challenging, place first-touch or two-touch restrictions.
Objective
This drill is best for 8-10-year-olds with basic soccer skills and ready to learn how to get better at soccer. The main target of this drill is to practice give-and-go moves in an actual playing environment. The players also learn to coordinate with teammates and perfect their timings while receiving a pass.
5. 3v3 Small Sided Give and Go Game
Set-Up
- 6 players
- A 15 x 20-yard playing area
- One soccer ball
- Two soccer goals with goalkeepers
Process
Divide the players into two teams for a 3v3 soccer game. For each goal the scoring team gets a point.
Any two players from a team can coordinate for a give-and-go pass to beat the opposition players. For each goal scored from the pass the team gets an extra point.
Objective
The primary aim is to practice the give-and-go passing techniques. The players can learn about creating space for themselves and their teammates so that they can keep the momentum going in an attack. In addition, it can also help to develop their passing and dribbling skills and increase stamina.
6. Give and Go Passing Pattern
Set-Up
- 6 players
- A 7 x 7-yard playing area
- Two soccer balls
Process
Divide the players into two teams. Make two players from each team stand opposite each other on the outside ends of the playing square. They are the target players. That leaves two players from each team in the middle of the square.
One target player from each team starts the drill by passing the ball to their teammate in the middle. The middle player passes the ball back to the target player who moves in to collect it. They then pass the ball to the target players of their team on the opposite end.
The original middle player now becomes a target player and the target player stays in the middle. The game continues for three minutes and the team making the most number of give-and-go passes wins.
It can be played for multiple rounds. One-touch restrictions can be applied to make the players put in more effort.
Objective
The drill focuses on repeating the give-and-go passing technique to give sufficient practice to the players. It also forces them to move fast and make accurate passes while moving forward.
Final Thoughts
It takes a lot of soccer training to make perfect use of the give-and-go pass. Both the passer and the receiver need to focus on their responsibilities to make the move work.
These drills will provide young players with the right amount of practice that will help to break through the opposition’s defenders. For better development of the players, incorporate other drills that will help them to learn how to get faster for soccer.
To get the best out of the practice sessions, check out the Open Goaaal 3-in-1 soccer trainer. These trainers combine the goal with a rebounder and a backstop that keeps the ball within the field without the players having to chase it down. That allows the players to save time and focus more on the practice drills.