Pat McCann is currently the Sydney FC Academy U15 coach. His role includes the identification and development of players that may eventually represent Sydney FC at the professional level in the Australian ‘A’ League. Prior to his current role he was Technical Director as well as U19 Head Coach of Canberra United Academy.

Pat holds a wealth of experience as a player, coach and administrator across multiple continents having played professionally in the UK as well as holding several coaching positions at the professional / semi-professional + college level in USA. Pat currently holds a Football Federation Australia ‘A’ License. Most recently from November 2016 to Feb 2017 Pat took a sabbatical to continue his football education; he spent time traveling through the USA, UK, Ireland, Germany, Greece, UAE and Singapore to observe and study the methodologies at various academies and professional clubs.

“The following passing activities are geared towards developing an understanding between #9 and #10; combination play, communication, support play as well as various passing techniques are emphasized. The simple setup allows each passing sequence to be organized quickly and efficiently.  Quick ball circulation and player movement is encouraged at all times; one-touch play as much as possible (depending on player ability).  As a final step and to increase the difficulty of the activities a Defender can be positioned inside the central area – Defender cannot tackle but may intercept passes.”

1.

Setup:

Squad is split into groups of 8-10 players. Grid size is 15-20×15-20.

Instructions:

Central Players (Green) simulate the Strikers (#9 + #10): passing sequence demands that the central pair work in unison to create passing options and support. Players follow the numbered passing pattern shown. The outside perimeter players pass the ball into the #9 and #10 in the middle of the area who bounce the ball back then complete a combination before playing the ball back to the next outside player.

After they pass the outside players rotate to the next position on the outside of the square. Change the central players every 1-2min.

Coaching Points:

• All – Focus on quality (pace/direction) of the pass
• All – Check away to create space for the next pass
• All – Play a pass that can be played on 1-touch
• #9/#10 take up a position so they can see as many team-mates as possible = awareness of team-mates positioning at all times

2.

Setup:

Squad is split into groups of 8-10 players. Grid size is 15-20×15-20.

Instructions:

COMBINATION PLAY OF CENTRAL PLAYERS:

Option (B): Central Players (Green) simulate the Strikers (#9 + #10): passing sequence demands that the central pair work in unison to create passing options and support. Players follow the numbered passing pattern shown. Ball starts at Position (A) – the player passes the ball into the #9 and #10 in the middle of the area who bounce the ball back (pass 2). Pass 3 is played forward to the deeper Striker; supporting Striker drops underneath to receive the layoff (Pass 4) – the supporting player now plays a reverse pass (Pass 5) into the path of the player moving from position (A). Pass 6 returns to the corner player who switches it across to the opposite position (A) with Pass 8.
Sequence is then repeated in the opposite direction.

Change the central players every 1-2min.

Coaching Points:

• All – Focus on quality (pace/direction) of the pass
• All – Check away to create space for the next pass
• All – Play a pass that can be played on 1-touch
• #9/#10 take up a position so they can see as many team-mates as possible = awareness of team-mates positioning at all times
• Players from position (A); timing of movement – wait and then accelerate onto the ball

3.

Setup:

Squad is split into groups of 8-10 players. Grid size is 15-20×15-20.

Instructions:

COMBINATION PLAY OF CENTRAL PLAYERS:

Option (C): Central Players (Green) simulate the Strikers (#9 + #10): passing sequence demands that the central pair work in unison to create passing options and support. Players follow the numbered passing pattern shown. Ball starts at Position (B) – the player passes the ball into the #9 and #10 in the middle of the area who bounce the ball back (pass 2) to the corner player. Pass 3 is played forward to the deeper Striker; supporting Striker turns to offer support and to receive the layoff (Pass 4) – the supporting player now plays a pass (Pass 5) into the path of the player moving from position (B). Pass 6 goes to the corner player / Pass 7 is a short layoff to oncoming player who switches the ball to the opposite corner with Pass 8.

Sequence is then repeated in the opposite direction.

Change the central players every 1-2min.

Coaching Points:

• All – Focus on quality (pace/direction) of the pass
• All – Check away to create space for the next pass
• All – Play a pass that can be played on 1-touch
• #9/#10 take up a position so they can see as many team-mates as possible = awareness of team-mates positioning at all times
• Players from position (B); timing of movement – wait and then accelerate onto the ball