Football Passing Skills

Overview

This 50-minute lesson for Year 7 students (age 11-12) focuses on developing fundamental passing skills in football. It aligns with the Physical Education National Curriculum for England, specifically targeting key areas of skill development, tactical understanding, and teamwork.

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National Curriculum Links

• Pupils should be taught to:

  • Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination (KS3 Framework aims carried into Year 7).
  • Play competitive games, modified where appropriate [for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders and tennis], and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending.
  • Develop competence, control and fluency in fundamental movement skills.
  • Promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles through engaging, inclusive activities.

• Key Competencies to Develop:

  • Apply basic skills with control and accuracy (passing).
  • Understand and demonstrate attacking and defending principles in football.
  • Communicate and cooperate effectively within a team context.
  • Reflect on own and others’ performances to identify areas for improvement.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate controlled passing techniques using the inside of the foot with increasing accuracy at short distances.
2. Perform receiving and passing under varying degrees of pressure.
3. Understand the importance of teamwork and communication in successful passing.
4. Apply passing skills within a small-sided game situation.

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Resources Needed

• 15 size 5 footballs
• Cones for marking grids and passing lanes
• Pinnies for team identification
• Whistle
• Stopwatch or timer
• Flat, safe playing area sufficient for multiple stations

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Objective: Prepare the body for activity and introduce passing fundamentals.

• Dynamic warm-up circuit (6 mins):

  • Jogging laps around the pitch (2 minutes).
  • Dynamic stretches emphasising legs and core (leg swings, high knees, butt kicks - 2 mins).
  • Ball-related drills: students in pairs gently passing the ball back and forth in a short space, focusing on soft controlled passes (2 mins).

• Teacher briefing (4 mins):

  • Explain the focus on passing using the inside of the foot.
  • Demonstrate correct passing technique (plant foot placement, body position, contacting ball with inside of foot).
  • Discuss why passing is key in football — controlling the game and working as a team.

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2. Passing Drills (25 minutes)

Objective: Build technical skills and decision-making in passing.

Drill 1: Partner Passing Accuracy (10 mins)

• Students pair up, approximately 3 metres apart.
• Practice controlled passes using the inside of the foot.
• After 5 successful passes without losing control, lengthen the passing distance by 1 metre.
• Teacher circulates, providing individual feedback on technique (body position, follow-through).

Key focus: accuracy and ball control.

Drill 2: Passing Under Pressure (10 mins)

• Create small grids (5m x 5m) with 4 students each (2 passers, 2 defenders).
• Passers must complete 5 consecutive passes without interception; defenders try to intercept.
• Rotate roles clockwise every 3 minutes.
• Emphasise quick decision making, scanning, and precise passing.

Key focus: passing in game-like pressure, communication.

Drill 3: Moving Pass and Support (5 mins)

• Set up triangle passing stations.
• Students pass to another moving player and then reposition to receive the return pass.
• Encourage verbal communication and emphasise supporting space for the passer.

Key focus: movement off the ball and timing of passes.

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3. Small-Sided Game (13 minutes)

Objective: Apply passing and teamwork skills in a competitive context.

• Divide class into 4 teams of ~7 players; create two small pitches for 7v7 or 6v6 games.
• Use small goals or cones as targets.
• Rules: Encourage use of passing skills practiced; restrict long kicks to promote ground passes and teamwork.
• Teacher officiates and prompts players to communicate and demonstrate passing principles.
• After 6 minutes, swap two teams to balance competition and involvement.

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4. Cool Down and Reflection (2 minutes)

• Light jogging followed by static stretching focusing on legs and lower back.
• Quick group discussion: each student shares one thing they felt they did well with passing and one area to improve.
• Teacher summarises key learning points and encourages practice outside of lessons.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Continuous formative assessment during drills and game: teacher notes individuals' passing technique, decision making and communication.
• Peer feedback during reflection phase to enhance self-awareness.
• Use of questioning (e.g., "Why is it important to pass quickly under pressure?") to gauge understanding.

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Differentiation

• For less confident students: Smaller passing distances; support in paired activities.
• For more able students: Increased passing distance; introduction of driven passes and disguise techniques (e.g., feints before pass).
• Encourage leadership roles in game to foster decision-making.

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure students wear appropriate footwear and shin guards.
• Warm-up thoroughly to reduce injury risk.
• Monitor the playing area for hazards before starting.

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This lesson plan offers a progressive approach to mastering passing in football by blending technical drills with tactical gameplay, backed by the National Curriculum’s key requirements for physical education at Key Stage 3. It promotes physical skills, healthy competition, and social skills development in a fun, student-centred environment.