Ajax passing square with wall pass
The classic Dutch square from the Ajax academy: pass to the next corner, wall pass back and a through ball for the teammate already running to the next line. Continuous tempo with one and two touches.
Step 1Pase y pared
1 / 3
El 1 pasa al 2, entra hacia el interior y recibe la pared al primer toque.
Objective
Automate the check-away before receiving, the first touch with the far foot and the one-touch wall pass with the body open towards the next corner.
Organisation
10x10 m square (up to 15x15 m with seniors) marked with four cones. Two to four players lined up behind each cone on the inside of the square. One ball in one corner to start; with 12 or more players, two balls in opposite corners.
Development
- 1Basic version: the first player in line checks away from the cone, comes back to receive with the far foot and plays two-touch to the next corner, then follows the pass to the back of that line.
- 2Wall-pass version: player 1 passes to player 2 at the next corner; 2 returns it first time to 1, who has stepped a few metres inside the square.
- 3While the wall pass travels, 2 is already running towards the third corner; 1 plays a first-time through ball ahead of that run.
- 4Player 2 receives on the move, arrives at corner 3 and repeats the same combination with player 4 at the next corner; 1 takes corner 2.
- 5Work clockwise (right foot) and anticlockwise (left foot), 3-4 minute blocks per version.
Coaching points4
- Check away from the cone before receiving: the cone is the imaginary defender you leave behind.
- Receive with the foot furthest from the cone, body already open to the next corner.
- The wall pass is played first time into the teammate's run, not to feet.
- Eye contact and call the receiver's name before every pass.
Common mistakes3
- Receiving flat-footed on the cone with the back to the next corner.
- Starting the run to the next line too late, so the through ball arrives to feet.
- Soft passes that force an extra touch and break the rhythm.
Variations3
- Add a second ball in the opposite corner to double the repetitions.
- Third-man version: 2 lays off to 1 and 1 plays straight to corner 3, whose player has dropped to receive.
- Replace the wall pass with an oriented first touch and a short dribble to the next corner.
Progressions2
- One touch only for the whole combination (pass, wall pass and through ball).
- Split into two squares and compete: which group completes more clean laps in 2 minutes.
Regressions2
- Enlarge the square and allow free touches.
- Only the basic pass-and-follow version until the tempo is stable.
Tips
- Change direction every 3-4 minutes so both feet work equally.
- Spare balls next to each cone so a bad pass never stops the circuit.