Tips and trick passing

Passing the Test - Soccer Passing Skills

Having learned the importance of strategy, one of the most critical skills to develop in applying it—as well as the backbone of teamwork in soccer—is passing.

Passing allows your team to keep possession of the ball and find holes in the opposing team’s defense. As a team, try to keep the ball moving and spread the defense, taking advantage of open spaces. The best way to accomplish this is to play one and two touch soccer.

Strike the ball with pace so that your teammate doesn't have to wait on the ball. A firm pass is more likely to arrive at its destination. In terms of teamwork, the player who is the intended target of your pass must go to the ball. At the same time though, make your teammate look good by digging out a bad pass and keep possession.

As a team, train in game-like situations, with the right kind of intensity and pressure. Anybody can play keep a way when they aren't under pressure, but only the good player can do it in a crunch.

You can recreate game-like conditions by making the areas you are playing in small so that there is constant pressure on those with the ball. Then, when you are getting the right intensity, open the game up and play in a larger area. For example, start with 8 versus 8 in the goal box and then open up into the whole half once the intensity mimics that of a game.

When you’re not training with the team, work on technique by kicking the ball against a wall. Make sure to use both your right and left foot. Keep your ankle locked and strike through the center of the ball with pace. Get your body behind the ball with a uniform strong sense of balance.

In order to become a great passer, you’re also going to need to become familiar with the different kinds of passes, and the various ways in which they are used…

Put Your Best Foot Forward

The way in which you move the ball depends on several things, such as:

• Where it’s going
• What you want it to do when it gets there
• Who’s in the way, and
• What part of the foot you use

The first three factors depend on your own strategy, but the last one depends solely on technique:

Inside of the foot: This is the most useful part of the foot to use when passing the ball. It’s the part of your foot with the most surface area, thus giving you the most control and accuracy. Turn your hips to the side you're kicking the ball with and follow through.

Inside edge of the foot: This is the same as the above but with the upper portion of your foot to bend the ball, as in when you wrap your foot around the ball so it curves into your teammate’s feet or into an area, as with a cross.

Outside of the foot: This kind of pass is used when you want to bend the ball into a teammate or into an area. Often your body is in a position where you can't make a simple pass with the inside of the foot. If this is the case, try to strike through the ball with the outside of your foot. Outside of the foot is also sometimes used to flick the ball or make a surprise pass. Rather than having to turn the body to hit the ball with the inside of the foot.

Instep Drive or Upper Area of the Foot: This is for driving the ball into a teammate. In this situation, when you are picking a player out, you don't need to follow through. Instead, strike the ball sharply and stop your follow through just after hitting it so the ball flys directly into the player at pace. This is much different than a instep shot, where you follow through and land on your shooting foot.

Chip: Similar to the instep drive but don't use as much force when kicking the ball. This requires a soft touch as you're trying to get more lift on the ball and create back spin so the ball dies in the area you're aiming at.

By fine-tuning your skills as a passer, you can significantly increase your team’s chances of success. Your victory won’t be complete, however, unless you and your teammates learn to work together and to control the ball…

NEXT:  Learn more about passing and crossing at these pages: the stock ball, soccer passing tips, crossing the ball, and passing standards.

Watch These Passing Videos:

Check out these great passing videos and our section on crossing:

• Ronaldinho's - Winning Pass Against AC Milan
• Xabi Alonso Highlights (Like Beckham, Alonso makes wonderful long, cross field passes)
• Ronaldinho - Passes with His Back
• Beckham Cross