FINDING THE GAP - THE KILLER PASS

There is always a gap, finding it is the problem!  Actually, even once you find you still have to get the ball into it!  Here's a good drill that encourages movement, awareness, good weight of pass and lay off play.

Set up your practice area with a goal and two mannequins. Player 1 starts with the ball, player 2 is 'marked' by one of the mannequins.  Player 1 plays a pass to the feet of player 2 who lays is off and immediately makes a run around the mannequin.  Player 1 runs on to the lay off and plays the killer pass through the two mannequins to player 2 to shoot into the goal.

How do i make this easier?  Playing first time passes isn't easy for every player so encourage them to take a touch before the lay off and shot.  There should also be plenty of talking to each other with this drill.  You could also run through it at walking pace a couple of times.

How do i make it harder?   Encourage short sharp passes to feet and for the lay off and killer pass to be played first time.  Replace the marking mannequin with a passive then active defender.  Encourage player 2 o shield the ball from his marker, making sure his body is between him and the ball.  Encourage the shooter to aim for the far corner and reward hitting the inside of the net with extra praise.

Happy Coaching!