Four-Cone Passing Drill

Three players cover three cones of a four-cone grid — pass to either teammate, then take the open cone and leave yours up for grabs.

Passing technique and movement after the pass, in the simplest grid there is — a great passing warm-up and a good start to a passing session.

Ages 9+Groups of 310 minCones

Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive

Grab: Four cones and a ball for the group.
Build: Build a 12-by-12-yard grid using the four cones.
Place: Three players each take a cone, leaving one cone empty — one player starts with the ball.

Show me the setup picture

A four-cone square, 12 by 12, with three players on cones, one cone standing empty, and the ball at one player's feet.

One thing to remember: Good passing technique — crisp passes with good weight — plus movement immediately after the pass and playing in two-touch.

How it runs — the whole game in one sentence

Pass to either teammate, then move to the open cone — your cone opens for the next passer, and the round runs 2 minutes.

1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Put three players on three of the four cones, leaving one empty, and give one player the ball.
Coach says
One cone each — and keep an eye on the empty one. That's where the passer goes.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the loop — pass to one of your two teammates, then move to the open cone; as the passer moves, their cone becomes the open one, available for the next passer.
Coach says
Pass it, then go fill the empty cone — the one you left is open for the next passer.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run the round for 2 minutes. Watch for good passing technique, crisp passes with good weight, movement immediately after the pass, and playing in two-touch.
Coach says
Two touches — crisp and clean! Pass and move, every single time!
Look for: Movement immediately after the pass — the passer already headed for the open cone as the ball travels.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Reset and run more 2-minute rounds. For later rounds, resize the field, limit everyone to one-touch passing, or add a combination or 1-2 pass.
Coach says
New round — this one's one touch. Keep it moving!

If it's not working

If the passing keeps breaking down, slide the cones out for a bigger grid while they play — then bring it back in as the passes connect.

Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.

Why are we doing this?

With three players and one open cone, every pass carries a move — passing technique and movement after the pass get worked on every touch, which is what makes it a great warm-up and a good start to a passing session.

What are they learning?

Good passing technique — crisp passes with good weight — plus movement immediately after the pass and playing in two-touch.