Perfect your Ground Pass
Practice and improve your ground passing skills using cones, a partner, and a ball. Focus on accuracy, pace, and receiving technique.
Step-by-step guide to perfect your ground pass
Step 1
Place four cones about six big steps apart to make two small gates facing each other and a clear passing lane.
Step 2
Stand with your partner at opposite ends of the lane behind each gate so you are ready to start.
Step 3
Warm up by tapping the ball back and forth gently for one minute to wake up your feet.
Step 4
Perform 10 gentle passes using the inside of your foot and aim the ball through the cone gate to your partner.
Step 5
Practice receiving by cushioning the ball with the inside of your foot to bring it under control.
Step 6
Pass the ball back with one touch using the inside of your foot focusing on a straight and accurate roll.
Step 7
Do 20 passes trying to get as many balls as you can through the cone gates and count your successful passes.
Step 8
Do 20 driven passes using the instep aiming through the gates to practice pace and power.
Step 9
Switch roles with your partner so both players practice passing and receiving at pace.
Step 10
Cool down with two minutes of light jogging or gentle leg stretches to relax your muscles.
Step 11
Share a short clip or photo of your best pass and explain what you improved on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of cones if we don't have any?
If you don't have cones, use four water bottles, shoes, or rolled-up socks placed about six big steps apart to make the two small gates facing each other as in the instructions.
My passes keep missing the cone gates; how can we fix that?
Warm up with the one-minute gentle taps, focus on using the inside of your foot to aim through the cone gate, shorten your passing distance and slow your pace during the 10 gentle passes and 20 passes to improve accuracy.
How can we adapt this drill for younger or older kids?
For younger children reduce the gate spacing, use a larger or softer ball and insist on slower, softer touches during the warm-up and 10 gentle passes, while older kids can widen the gates, increase distance, and emphasis the 20 driven passes for pace and power.
How can we extend or personalize the activity?
Keep score of successful balls through the gates, add a moving cone or passive defender to increase difficulty, or film your best pass to post on DIY.org and explain what you improved on.
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Facts about soccer passing and ball control
⚽ Top passing midfielders can make 100+ passes in a single professional match.
📏 Controlling pace—soft, medium, or hard—helps teammates receive passes easily and keep play flowing.
🤝 Passing drills with cones and a partner are used by pro teams to build muscle memory and quick decision-making.
🎯 Top-level players often keep passing accuracy above 85–90%.
🦶 Using the inside of your foot gives the most accurate ground passes because it creates a larger, flatter surface.
How do I practice a ground pass drill with my child to improve accuracy and receiving?
What materials do we need to set up a ground pass practice session?
What ages is perfecting ground passing suitable for?
What are the benefits of practicing ground passing and what safety tips or variations should we use?
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