Five-Pass Payday

Introduce young players to possession with a clear reward, then bias the game so they learn that keeping the ball is a way to find a forward pass, not an end in itself.

25x30 yard area divided into three zones by cones: two end zones of 10 yards and a middle zone of 10 yards. Two teams of five, each team starting with two players in each end zone and one in the middle. Coach with balls on the sideline.

1. Normal keep-away: five consecutive passes scores 1 point for the team in possession.
2. A pass that travels from one end zone through the middle zone to the other end zone scores 2 points, but only after five passes have been completed.
3. Players may move between zones freely; there are no zone limits, the zones are only for scoring.
4. Lose the ball and the count starts again for the other team.
5. Play 4 rounds of 3 minutes. Winner of each round chooses the pinnie color for the next.

• Count out loud so your team knows when the payday is on.
• Spread out: a big shape is a safe shape.
• After five, look forward first.
• Pass to feet unless your teammate is running into space.

• Every player crowds the ball and the passing count never gets past two; make one player from each team a 'corner keeper' who cannot leave their end zone.
• Teams keep passing sideways forever because it is safe; remind them the double points are the way to win.
• Players stop counting and argue; appoint a counter on the sideline for each team.

• Three passes needed before the forward pass counts.
• The forward pass must be received in the far end zone without it bouncing.
• Two touches for everyone.

• Play 5v3 with two neutrals who always join the possession team.
• Three passes instead of five.
• Bigger area, 30x35.

• The double-point forward pass only counts after five completed passes.