5 short technique videos, each with a challenge players can repeat to measure their progress.
By Terry Barton, founder of The Coaching Manual and 15 years in coach education · Updated October 2026
Passing is one of the hardest skills to learn. It's about weight, accuracy, vision and choosing the right type of pass.
It could be a 5-yard one-two or a 50-yard switch of play. We cover all the main passing techniques here.
Watch the technique, teach the coaching points, then set the challenge.
Quick, simple football starts with one-touch passing. It helps players unlock defences, break lines and get out of difficult situations.
Touch and timing are at the heart of passing with two touches. Can your first touch put the ball exactly where you want it for the pass?
Bending the ball around an opponent to find a team-mate is a valuable skill. Players wrap their foot around the ball and strike the bottom half to put spin on it. Getting the weight and the bend right takes practice.
When there's a player in the way or you need to switch play, the ball has to go over the top. Teach the approach, leaning back and striking the bottom half of the ball. The technique can be learned young; the distance comes later.
A low, fast pass that covers distance quickly. It's how players break lines and switch play before the defence can shift. Body weight forward, head over the ball and strike through the centre with the laces.
Every technique and challenge lives in The Coaching Manual app. Players record their scores, coaches see who is improving, and clubs get the whole programme alongside sessions and season plans.
