Passing and Receiving Warm-up
Inside players check to a server on the edge of the grid, call their name, and one-touch the ball straight back — a minute of work, then the teams trade places.
A passing-and-receiving warm-up that bends toward whatever skill you want that day — every rep is a check, a call, and a clean return.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones for the grid, a ball for every player on one team, and pinnies for one of the teams.
- Build: Build a grid about 20 by 20 yards.
- Place: One team spreads around the outside of the square, each player with a ball; the other team goes inside to work.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Passing and receiving — checking to the ball, calling for it, one-touch returns, good solid passes, and a good controlled first touch.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Inside players move, check to any outside server, and call their name — the ball comes in and goes straight back one touch, for a minute, then the teams switch.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Split the team into two even teams. One team takes the outside of the grid, every player with a ball; the other team steps inside to work.
Coach says
Two teams. Outside team — spread out, ball each. Inside team — you're working first.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one rep — an inside player moves through the square, checks to any outside player, and calls their name. The outside player plays the ball in, and the inside player quickly returns it in one touch, then finds the next server.
Coach says
Move, check to somebody, and call their name — loud. One touch back, then go find another.
3Play▾
Coach does
Have the inside team work for one minute. Watch for good solid passes and a good controlled first touch.
Coach says
One minute — every pass solid, every touch clean!
Look for: Good solid passes and a controlled first touch, even as the pace comes up.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Switch the inside and outside groups every minute. Then run the variations — require a touch with the inside (or outside) of the foot before the return; have the servers pick the ball up and serve by hand for inside-of-the-foot volleys, top-of-the-foot volleys, thigh volleys, chest volleys, headers, and more; or work 30 seconds at a comfortable speed and 30 at full speed.
Coach says
Switch! This round, take a touch with the inside of your foot first — then play it back.
If it's not working
If the square goes quiet, freeze it and ask — how does your server know you're ready? Let someone say it, then play on.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.