The Passing Name Game
The team passes around a circle, and every receiver yells the name of their next target before the ball even arrives — always somebody new.
Yelling the next name before the ball arrives makes young players think a step ahead of the play — which is where speed of play comes from.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: One ball — and cones if you'll grow the game into a grid later.
- Build: Form a circle with each of the players on your team.
- Place: The ball starts with one player in the circle.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Thinking a step ahead of the play to improve speed of play — plus a good first touch and quality passes, with at least two touches on every ball.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
The ball moves around the circle — before each pass arrives, the receiver yells the name of the player they'll pass to next, and it never goes straight back where it came from.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Bring the whole team into one circle and start with one ball.
Coach says
Make me a big circle! One ball — and listen up, because you'll be calling names.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the rule — the player with the ball passes to a player, and before the receiver receives it, they must yell the name of the next player they're going to pass to. Every player takes at least two touches — one to receive, one to pass. Encourage them not to pass back to the player they got it from, and to pass to different people each time.
Coach says
Before the ball gets to you, yell who's next! Receive it, pass it — and never right back. Somebody new every time.
3Play▾
Coach does
Keep the ball and the names moving — the game is designed to make players think a step ahead of the play. Watch for the thinking ahead, a good first touch, and quality passes.
Coach says
Name first, ball second! Think ahead — who's your next?
Look for: The name coming before the ball — the receiver already knowing their next pass before their first touch.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
For the next rounds, create a grid and play the same game with players free to move about — or add a second ball.
Coach says
Same game, new field — spread out and keep moving. Names still come first!
If it's not working
If the names keep arriving after the ball does, freeze it and ask — when do you call your name? Let them answer, then play on.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Harder: Add a second ball.