Parent guides › Common problems
For parents and coachesThe kid who never passes:
what to do
Every team has one, and it might be yours. Parents get embarrassed and teammates get annoyed. Here is the truth: at young ages it is usually a strength. Later, it becomes something to work on.
Good dribblers become good players. Teach when to pass. Do not take the dribbling away.
Under U8: leave it alone
A young child who keeps the ball is doing what they should. They are learning how to beat a defender and how to protect the ball. A child who can keep the ball under pressure has something worth passing later. One who cannot will give it away either way.
U9 and U10: add a choice
This is the age to start asking a question: is there someone in a better spot? Keep the dribbling, and add a pass as another option. The key habit is getting the head up. A player who cannot see a teammate cannot pass to them.
What coaches can do
- Play games where a goal counts double after a pass.
- Use rondos, where passing is the point.
- Praise a good pass out loud.
- Never bench a child for dribbling. Teach them, do not punish them.
What parents can do
- Notice good passes, and say so after the game.
- Pass with them at home.
- Do not shout “pass” from the sideline.
- Do not apologize to other parents. Your child is learning.
When teammates complain
It happens around eight or nine, when kids start to notice. A coach can handle this in a team setting: everyone has a job, and the team works on helping each other. Try not to single out one child. They may well become your best player.
At U11 and up
An older player who will not pass may not trust teammates, or may be used to doing it all alone. Explain what the team needs and show why the pass helps. A good player learns that a pass often gets the ball back in a better spot.
Questions parents and coaches ask
My child dribbles too much. Should I tell them to pass?
At young ages, no. Older kids can be asked, “Who else could you have used?”
Other parents complain about my child. What should I do?
Leave it to the coach. A short, friendly word with the coach helps.
When should kids start passing?
Around second grade is a good time to start, once dribbling and 1v1 are in place.
Why everyone chases the ball ›What to expect at U8 ›U8 drills and games ›