In this session, Burnley youth development phase coaches Gary Sampson and Frank Sinclair lead a group of under-16s through a series of practices that focus on the passing and receiving skills of the team’s midfielders.

The session – filmed exclusively for Coaches’ Voice – begins with a warm-up and activation involving all units, led by academy strength and conditioning coach Mark Dean. Sampson and Sinclair then take the midfielders through three practices designed to train their ability to pass and receive with both feet, from different angles.

For the final practice, the units come back together for a three-team small-sided game, in which the players are challenged to incorporate the pictures created in their respective unit practices, as well as Burnley’s out-of-possession and transition principles.

It is a session packed with key technical details, overseen by experienced coaches with a demonstrable focus on intensity and standards. We hope you enjoy the practices and the coaching craft on display.

Please also click below to access an accompanying session plan in PDF form.