Passing is 1 of 2 ways to move the ball down the field – the other being dribbling. Passing is preferred in the danger zone (defending third) and in the cautious zone (midfield third) while it’s still necessary in the scoring zone (attacking third) using crosses, back passes, and the ultimate final pass – a shot on goal. To be effective, passing requires both good technique and good teamwork. Beth (Mountain U14G) demos good technique during a 2008 match against Lakehill NY (click on pic to enlarge) . Listed below are 3 kinds of passing techniques.
Push Pass - Inside of the Foot
This classic soccer pass is used for short distances and accuracy. Some critical bullet points are:
- Plant the non-kicking foot next to the ball pointing at your target - knee flexed.
- Raise the toes of your kicking foot slightly to lock your ankle.
- Strike the center of the ball with the middle of the inside of your foot.
- Look at the ball as you kick it.
- The kicking foot should follow through toward the target.
Push Pass - Outside of the Foot
This soccer pass is ideal for longer distances needing more power; passing while dribbling instead of standing still; and disguising a pass. Its biggest drawback is accuracy. Here are some technical bullet points:
- Plant the non-kicking foot next to the ball pointing at your target - knee flexed (same as above).
- Lower the toes of your kicking foot slightly to lock your ankle.
- Strike the center of the ball with the middle of the outside of your foot.
- Look at the ball as you kick it (same as above).
- The kicking foot should follow through toward the target (same as above).
Chip Pass
This soccer pass is used when a “ground attack” is impossible because an opponent is blocking your passing lane. Typical chip situations are: goal kicks, changing fields, crosses, and upper corner shots on goal. Here are some technical bullet points:
- Approach the ball at an angle.
- Plant the non-kicking foot slightly behind the ball pointing at your target - knee flexed.
- Point the toes of your kicking foot at the ground locking in your ankle.
- Strike the lower part of the ball with the instep (laces) just behind the knuckle of your big toe - don't forget to look at the ball.
- Your body should lean back slightly with your head behind the ball.
- The kicking foot should follow through toward the target (same as above).
Shown to the right is a picture of Cassidy (Mountain U14G) chipping a ball during a 2008 match in Bethlehem NY (click on pic to enlarge).
By the way, I have not talked about the instep pass (drive kick) in this article. This important long pass/power shot is detailed in a separate article (right margin).
In Summary
Passing is the foundation for good teamwork. Without proper passing technique, soccer tactics (triangles, diamonds, squares, etc.) are dead in the water. It’s like the game of golf; that is, you have to have a good swing to play a good game.
Video Clips
Push Pass – Inside of Foot with Mia Hamm
Instep Pass with Christie Rampone
5 Basic Kinds of Passes
The five basic passes in soccer are: 1) Back Pass; 2) Square Pass; 3) Flat Pass; 4) Diagonal Pass; and 5) Thru Pass.
There are probably many others, but this completes my list at your age level. The back and square passes are defensive; that is, the main purpose is to maintain ball possession. The diagonal and thru passes are offensive; that is, the main purpose is to attack space going to goal. The flat pass can be either - defensive or offensive depending on the game situation. Let’s look at them one by one.
Back Pass
I’ve said many times, if there’s nothing open going forward, go backwards. The back pass has the following advantages:
- It’s the easiest pass to complete. Rarely is there an opponent behind you to intercept the ball.
- It spreads the defense, opening up better opportunities to move forward.
- It is the best way to "change the point of attack" also known as "changing fields" (see glossary).
- It allows you to maintain possession. Remember, soccer is a game of keep away with a goal in mind.
The key to a back pass is to have teammates who support you from behind – screaming that they are there if you need them. If they don’t, you wouldn’t think to turn around unless you have eyes in the back of your head.
Square Pass
A square pass is a flat pass (discussed below) to open space rather than to a teammate's feet. Square passes are ideal when an opponent puts big time pressure on the ball and you have no passing option going forward. Either you or your teammate yells "square", then you make a lateral pass to space as your teammate comes back to receive it. The end result is similar to a back pass; that is, a defensive option to keep possession of the ball. Shown in this soccer diagram to the right is an example of a square pass (click on pic to enlarge).
In summary, the purpose of a back or square pass is to maintain ball possession. Playing a successful game of keep away makes diagonal and thru passes easier to complete. Therefore, sometimes you have to take a few steps backward to go forward --- just be patient --- sounds like a lesson in life. Get the picture???
Flat Pass
The flat pass is a pass to feet as opposed to open space. The flat pass is made laterally across the field to an awaiting teammate. Although it is done often and effectively during a game, it can be a very dangerous pass. If you’re an American football fan, think of the quarterback making a “swing pass” to his running back in the flat --- effective if it works; a touchdown for the other team if the ball is intercepted.
The key to a successful flat pass is the player receiving the ball must be unmarked – just like the running back in football – effective if your teammate is open; a goal for the other team if the ball is intercepted. Please click the soccer diagram for 3 lateral pass situations.
Example #1 – D1 makes an effective flat pass to a wide open D2. However, if D1 makes a flat pass to a tightly marked D3, the ball will probably be intercepted by A3 --- score for the red team!!!
Example #2 – The square pass is similar to a flat pass with one major difference --- the pass by D1 is made laterally to open space (not to a player’s feet). Although D2 is tightly marked by A2, she cuts back to the ball completing a successful square pass to space. This pass requires good communication between D1 and D2.
Not Shown Here - If either D2 or D3 had the ball in example #1, a flat pass to D1 in front of our own goal would be disastrous.
Diagonal Pass
If the ball doesn’t travel straight up and down the field or back and forth across the field, it must be a diagonal pass. Diagonal passes are sometimes risky since they often cut across multiple layers of defense. However, it’s a classic and effective way of zig zagging the ball up the field. The triangle pass is perhaps the most basic of all diagonal passes. Shown in the soccer field to the right is a one touch triangle pass also called a wall pass. The supporting player resembles a wall giving the ball immediately back to her teammate as she cuts behind her opponent. Basketball players call this wall pass a "give and go". Other names for this kind of pass is a "double pass" and a "one-two pass".
The keys to its success are:
1. The player with the ball must dribble at her opponent to force her to defend.
2. Then she makes a pass to the front foot of her teammate so she doesn't have to reach back for the ball.
3. After making the pass, she must continue to run past her opponent to receive a return pass from her teammate.
A common mistake at the youth level is that there's the initial give (pass) but no go (return pass) and that goes nowhere.
Video Clip
Here is a great explanation of the wall pass.
Thru Pass
As opposed to the double pass/give and go, a thru pass is a single pass made behind the opponent’s defense into open space. The following are key points about this attacking pass (click the soccer field on the right to enlarge)
- It is a pass to open space rather than to your teammate’s feet.
- This pass can be made straight down the field (parallel to the sidelines) or diagonally
across the field. However, it's important that the ball not be kicked right at your opponent's goalie.
- The pace of the pass is critical – not too soft – not too hard.
- A diagonal run is sometimes better - harder for your opponents to track and it keeps you on sides longer.
- Switching positions with your teammate is often done after the pass is made.
- Communication (verbal, body, or both) is a must.
- Shown on the right is a demo of how a thru ball can split your opponent's defense and create a breakaway opportunity on goal.
VIDEO CLIP
Smari Gunn demonstrates the thru ball technique - click here
In Summary, there are 5 basic passes: 1) Back Pass; 2) Square Pass; 3) Flat Pass; 4) Diagonal Pass; and 5) Thru Pass. Back and square passes are defensive in nature while diagonal and thru passes are forward and attacking. The flat pass can be either - defensive or offensive depending on the game situation. Soccer tactics requires players to constantly create passing lanes using various geometric shapes (e.g. triangle, diamond, square) as the ball moves up and down the field.