Color-Coded Pass Choice
Decision Making
Legend
- player
- teammate
- coach
- red target
- blue target
- ball
How it works
Choose the correct passing target based on a color signal, developing basic in-game decision-making.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
- scrimmage vests
Your focus
Decision-making starts with simple choice recognition. Color-coded drills give young players a concrete decision structure they can process quickly, building the habit of scanning and choosing before receiving the ball.
Place red and blue cones as targets around a 15-yard area. Players have both colors of vests.
One player has the ball in the middle.
Coach holds up either a red or blue card.
Player must pass to a teammate wearing the matching vest color.
Receiving teammate dribbles to center; drill repeats.
Increase the speed of color changes each round.
Goal
You've got it when you look at the color signal first, then pass, not the other way around. Every rep: eyes first, feet second.
Helpful cues
- Look before you receive, know the colors before the ball comes to you
- Scan around you, not just at the ball
- Quick decisions come from quick scanning
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use only one color target initially; add the second when confident.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Coach changes the card mid-dribble, player must redirect their pass.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.