Passing is a huge part of soccer and any player trying to improve their skills will see big benefits by playing smallsided passing games. These games give players more touches on the ball, extra chances for decision making, and a faster pace than most regular scrimmages. Plus, they’re fun and easy to set up on almost any pitch, or even in your backyard.
If you’re a coach, a player, or just someone who loves the game, these 10 smallsided passing games are worth checking out. They help boost passing accuracy, movement off the ball, communication, and even quick defensive reactions. Whether you’re working with young kids or older players, you can tweak these games for different group sizes and skill levels.
This collection walks through my personal favorites for building better teams and more confident, creative soccer players. Read on to track down new ways to step up your team’s passing game!
1. Classic 4v1 Rondo: Sharpen Quick Passing Under Pressure
The classic rondo is a go-to drill for a reason. It’s played with four players on the outside and one defender (the “one” in 4v1) inside the square trying to steal the ball. The outside players need to keep the ball moving quickly, using one and two-touch passes while the defender pressures them relentlessly.
- Keep the grid tight; about 7×7 yards for older players, a little larger for beginners.
- Emphasize communication and clean first touches.
- When the defender wins the ball, switch roles with whoever made the bad pass or lost possession.
Rondos really help you stay calm under pressure and make support runs. They’re especially helpful in teaching players to find passing lanes when the field feels crowded.
2. 3v1 Triangle Rondo: Build Angles and Support Play
This is a twist on the regular rondo, played with three attackers forming a triangle and one defender in the middle. The goal is similar: keep possession while the defender tries to intercept. Because of the shape, everyone has to work on making sharp angles and providing passing options.
- Make sure the attacking players don’t stand still; keep them moving to offer easy outlets.
- Encourage one-touch passing.
This smaller setup is perfect if you have just a few players, or you want to focus on tight control and constant movement. For advanced groups, try shrinking the triangle or requiring faster tempo with touch limits to really add to the challenge.
3. Two Touch Keep Away: Build Speed and Sharpness
Two touch keep away turns up the tempo. Set up a 5v2 or 6v2 keep away grid with a rule: every player has to pass after two touches or fewer. The defenders work as a team in the middle to intercept the ball, testing attackers’ timing and spacing.
Adding the two-touch restriction forces players to be constantly aware of their options before the ball arrives. They’ll develop faster feet and quicker decision making, which translates right to match play. You can vary the number of defenders if your players want more challenge or a bit of a break between rounds.
4. Four Corner Passing Game: Shape, Vision, and Patience
This game has two teams of 3-5 players each and four cones set up to form a square. Each team defends two corners and tries to “score” by passing into a teammate on one of their own corners. The trick is that teams can’t score on the same corner twice in a row, rewarding switching play and vision.
- Players learn to spread out, keep possession, and look for the open teammate.
- Encourages movement off the ball and switching the field.
I’ve had a lot of success using this game to break the “all bunched up” habit younger teams can fall into. This is also an easy way to teach patience and scanning for open space before making a pass.
5. Through the Gates: Passing Accuracy and Movement
Scatter several pairs of cones (“gates”) around the playing area. Players pair up and, while moving, pass the ball back and forth through as many gates as possible within a set period (say, two minutes).
- No double backs; once you pass through a gate, move to another one.
- Encourage angled movement and eye contact.
Through the Gates helps sharpen accuracy and encourages players to play with their heads up, constantly scanning the pitch. For fun, make it a competition to see which pair can pass through the most gates in a time limit.
6. Numbers Passing Game: Anticipation and Faster Decisions
In this drill, players (a group of 6-8 works best) number off and stand inside a grid. The game starts with a pass to player 1, who must quickly pass to player 2, then 2 passes to 3, and so on in order. After each pass, the passer has to run and fill the receiving player’s original spot.
- No standing still; the grid should be filled with moving targets, making anticipation key.
- Add defenders to turn up the challenge and turn the game into a decisionmaking test.
This one can get a bit chaotic, but it’s super useful for team communication and spatial awareness. You can increase the pace by shortening the time allowed to complete the passing sequence.
7. Wall Pass Challenge: 2v2 with End Zones
Set up a small “field” (about 20×15 yards) with end zones at either end. Play 2v2, but teams can only score if they complete a wall pass before entering the end zone (a wall pass is when a player passes to a teammate, gets the ball back immediately, and then attacks forward).
- Players get rewarded for combining and moving into space.
- Add a size 3 or size 4 ball to speed up the pace for younger groups.
Wall passes are often underrated and this game helps make them second nature for players of all ages. You can build in bonus points for multiple wall passes before scoring for an extra challenge.
8. Four Goal Game: Quick Transitions and Split Second Choices
Mark a small pitch and place a minigoal at each corner. Play 3v3 or 4v4 with regular rules, but teams can score on any of the four goals. Having multiple targets encourages creative passing and vision, so players have to decide which goal to attack based on pressure and space.
- No goalkeepers, just lots of passing, open play, and encouragement for players to spread out and switch the attack.
This game is especially good for developing awareness and making the most out of every possession. Encourage quick switches of play and reward passing combinations that lead to goals from different sides.
9. Puzzle Passing: Working as a Team
Create a sequence of colored cones, each linked to a pass direction (for example, red = forward pass, yellow = diagonal, blue = back). Teams (groups of 4-6) work together to complete a set passing “puzzle” in order. Once it’s solved, defenders jump in to try to disrupt the sequence.
It’s a flexible game that gets everyone thinking and talking. I like to add a time limit for extra energy, and sometimes I mix up the pattern after each successful round to keep players sharp.
10. One Touch Around the World: Reaction Speed
Place players evenly spaced in a large circle with 1-2 balls (for a group of 6-10). Players can only use one touch and must pass quickly to anyone across the circle; no passing to immediate neighbors. The speed builds as players get the hang of it, and multiple balls can be added for more challenge.
- This drill is perfect for improving both first touch and reaction time.
- Great as a warm-up or to end a practice on a high note.
Try adding more balls as players get confident or use a timer to see how many passes the group can complete in a minute.
Tips for Running Small Sided Passing Games
To get the most out of these games, keep grids tight and reward quick thinking over brute force. Mix up team sizes, rotate defenders often, and adjust space as needed to match your group’s skill level. Celebrate creative play, not just goals or turnovers.
For even more challenge, add specific rules, like requiring one touch passes, weaker foot only, or touches under pressure. These tweaks can keep even seasoned players on their toes. Also, switching things up prevents boredom and encourages players to be adaptable. Make it easy for players to give each other positive feedback too, as a bit of energy always gives the session a boost!
Wrapping Up
Smallsided passing games do a lot more than just fill practice time. They help build confident, skillful, and creative soccer players. The more you play them, the more you’ll see improvements not just in passing but in every part of the game, from movement off the ball to team communication and quick thinking under pressure.
If you have a favorite smallsided passing game I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear about it. Try out a few of these with your team or friends and see how quickly your game sharpens up. Remember: staying sharp and having fun go hand in hand out on the pitch!