Mic’d up training

[sinophile]

I think there is a level of, maybe deliberate, misunderstanding regarding the '5 passes'. If you want players to be comfortable passing the ball, and particularly defenders, then they have to practice passing. I suppose it's a bit like learning a musical instrument. You learn scales. That doesn't mean you only play scales, but to be proficient you have to be able to play them. Defenders need to be able to pass the ball unless all you want them to do is belt it up field. Therefore, they must practice.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

I think there is a level of, maybe deliberate, misunderstanding regarding the '5 passes'. If you want players to be comfortable passing the ball, and particularly defenders, then they have to practice passing. I suppose it's a bit like learning a musical instrument. You learn scales. That doesn't mean you only play scales, but to be proficient you have to be able to play them. Defenders need to be able to pass the ball unless all you want them to do is belt it up field. Therefore, they must practice.

You have hit the nail on the head perfectly. The five passes in a coaching session sense is designed to give players more touches and time on the ball to develop their receiving, control and passing. The modern game requires goalkeepers and defenders to be good with both their feet and play out from from the back. So the more they work on this in training no matter the age or experience the better they are able to adapt.