If you only ever do one solo drill, make it this one. Passing against a wall builds two of the most important skills in soccer at once — passing accuracy and a clean first touch — and you can do it alone, almost anywhere there's a solid wall.
What it builds
Passing accuracy with both feet, a controlled first touch, and quicker decisions as the ball comes back at different speeds. The wall never gets tired and never misses, so you get hundreds of quality reps in a short time.
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How to do it
- Stand 2 to 3 metres from a solid wall.
- Pass the ball against the wall with the inside of your foot, ankle locked and firm.
- Control the rebound with one touch, settling the ball in front of you.
- Pass again, keeping a steady rhythm: pass, touch, pass, touch.
The two halves of the drill
The pass: strike through the middle of the ball with the inside of your foot, ankle locked, and follow through toward your target. A firm, flat pass comes back predictably.
The first touch: as the ball returns, don't stop it dead. Cushion it slightly to the side, into the space you'd move into next. A good first touch sets up your next action before it even happens.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Standing too square. Turn your body slightly so you can take the ball across you — it mimics real play.
- Stabbing at the rebound. Relax the controlling foot and let the ball come to you.
- Ignoring the weak foot. Alternate feet, or spend whole sets on the weaker one.
- Passing too hard, too close. If the ball's coming back faster than you can handle, step back or ease off.
Tips
- Aim for the same spot on the wall every time — accuracy before power.
- Lock the ankle and follow through toward your target.
- Cushion the rebound with a relaxed foot rather than stabbing at it.
Watch it in action
Variations to keep progressing
- One-touch: pass the rebound straight back without settling it first. Great for rhythm and quick feet.
- First-touch direction: take your touch left, then pass; next rep, touch right. Trains you to move the ball where you want it.
- Driven passes: step back 5–8 metres and drive firmer passes with the laces for distance and power.
- Weak-foot sets: do a full two minutes using only your weaker foot.
How often to practise
Ten minutes, three or four times a week, will visibly sharpen your passing within a month. Because it's low-effort to set up (just you and a wall), it's easy to make a daily habit before or after other training.
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Warm up first with our 10-minute routine, and when your passing feels sharp, move on to target finishing.