Players pass and then become spectators

Question

We can get a decent first pass, but the player who made it often stands and watches. What simple way are people using to help U10s understand that their next movement can be as important as the pass?

Verified Coach · Accepted Answer

I would connect the pass to the next action.

A simple question is: “After you pass, where can you help next?” Sometimes the answer is run forward. Sometimes it is move sideways, support behind the ball or clear space for somebody else.

I would avoid a rule like “pass and move” if it turns into everybody sprinting after every pass.

Small give-and-go games can make the picture obvious, but then put it back into a normal directional game and see whether they recognise the moment themselves.

Praise movement that actually changes the defender or gives the player on the ball another option.

At U10 the message can stay simple: the pass does not finish your job. It often starts your next one.

SaturdayAM · Answer

We use 'pass then help again'. Sometimes the help is running, sometimes it is staying underneath. That stopped pass-and-move becoming everybody chasing their own pass.

Players pass and then become spectators

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