Pass Through to Shoot
Teams create a finishing opportunity by completing one useful pass through a wide gate before shooting.
- 10 min
- 6–12 players
Game · U8
Find the Captain
A team works towards a moving captain in a protected end zone; an accurate ground reception by the captain scores.
- Duration
- 10 min
- Players
- 8–16 (ideal 8)
- Passing
- Movement
- Teamwork
Setup
Step 1 of 2
One complete 8-player group is shown. Three blue and three red players share the middle. Each team has one captain in its attacking end zone. Only that captain enters that end zone.
Coaching points
- Setup: Three blue and three red players share the middle. Each team has one captain in its attacking end zone. Only that captain enters that end zone.
- Play: Teams pass or carry to find their own captain. A captain-controlled ground pass earns one point; the captain then passes to the other team in the middle. Defenders may intercept, but must not tackle or enter the captain zones.
- Reset and rotation: Rotate each captain with a middle player every 45 seconds, whether or not a point is scored. An out-of-bounds ball restarts with the team that did not touch it last.
- Numbers: The diagram shows 8 players. With up to 16, use a second complete group in a separate area. Odd spare players rest off the area and rotate into a playing role every 45 seconds; everyone has equal turns.
- Coach focus: Ask the captain to move into view and the passer to look up before choosing the route.
- Safety: Ground passes only; no tackling or contact. Use flat zone markers and keep neighbouring pitches clear.
Equipment
- Ball · 2 per group, including a spare
- Flat Marker · 8 per group for field and zone corners, in addition to pictured markers
- Bib · 8 per group; colours match the pictured roles
Progressions
- Easier Allow the captain to use the whole end zone and pause defenders while the first pass is played.
- Harder The captain receives while moving across the zone rather than waiting at one spot.
