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Practice games

High Five Passing

Also called Pass and Follow

Pass to your partner, follow your pass for a high five, then run into space for the ball back.

Warm-up 8 min 4 to 20 players Cage Half pitch Hall 2016 to 2021

Off the Ball Lift each other Work hard

At a glance

  • A 20 m square. Pairs spread out, about 5 m apart, one ball per pair. In each pair, A starts with the ball and B is the partner.
  • A passes to B, follows the pass for a high five, then runs into space and calls for the ball.
  • B passes to where A has gone, follows for a high five and runs off. Keep going, and change partners every minute.
  • Progress 1: Two touches: one to control, one to pass.
  • Progress 2: Two touches, and two ball thieves try to touch passes, so find space away from them.

If it's not working: Stand closer, about 3 m apart, and pass from standing still.

High Five Passing: set-upABhigh five!1231 A passes, 2 high five and run off, 3 B finds A.20 m by 20 m
  • players
  • Ahas the ball
  • Bpartner
  • run
  • pass
  • 1in this order

Pairs with one ball, spread round the square and all going at once. A passes to B and follows the pass for a high five, then runs off into space and calls. B plays the ball to A's new spot, follows it for a high five, and so on.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Mark a 20 m by 20 m square with a disc on each corner.
  • Children pair up with one ball per pair and spread out.

4 to 20 children in pairs. 20 m by 20 m.

How to play

  • Pass to your partner.
  • Follow your pass and give your partner a high five.
  • Then run away into space and call for the ball.
  • Your partner passes to you, follows the pass for a high five, and runs off.
  • Keep going around the square. Change partners every minute.

Keeping everyone moving

Both partners are always passing, following or running into space. Every pair plays at once, so nobody waits.

Make it easier

  • Stand closer, about 3 m apart, and pass from standing still.
  • Stop the ball with the sole before you pass.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. Two touches: one to control, one to pass.
  2. Two touches, and two ball thieves try to touch passes, so find space away from them.

Three things to say

  • Follow your pass straight away.
  • After the high five, sprint into space, away from other pairs.
  • Call your partner's name when you want the ball.

Words that work: "Loud high five, great support!", "You followed your pass!", "Great run into space!"

Colts habit

Lift each other: a high five after every pass.

Both feet

Swap your passing foot every time you pass.

Heads up

Look up for space away from other pairs before you run.

For your birth year

Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.

2020 to 2021
Partners stand 3 m apart and pass from standing. Follow, high five, then take three big steps away.
2018 to 2019
As written, partners about 5 m apart.
2016 to 2017
Two touches, and two ball thieves try to touch passes from the start.

A young leader can run this one, with an adult coach beside them.

Safety: Gentle high fives. Look up before running so pairs don't bump into each other.

Keeping score: Each child counts their high fives in 60 seconds and tries to beat their own number.