|
General Rules on Passing
Passing is the very essence of soccer. If you can’t pass
you can’t play!
“There is no substitute for good technique in passing
and there is no strategy which caters for inaccurate passing.”
The five basic skills involved in passing are:-
1. Disguise
Players who can disguise their intentions and make the play
unpredictable are very difficult to play against. Pretending
to play the ball then holding it; pretending to stop the ball
and letting it run; pretending to pass in one direction then
passing in another.
2. Pass Selection
In general:-
· Passes along the ground are easier for the recipient
to get under control
quickly.
· Diagonal passes give your attackers a better chance
to turn.
· Long floated passes are easier for the other team
to deal with.
· Big kicks up the centre of the field should be avoided.
(This includes kicks by
the Goalkeeper! - At goal kicks he
should aim to kick long and diagonally.)
· Passing should be done one touch even when you are
not being challenged for
the ball. Keeping the ball moving
around the field stops the other team from
settling and causes
them to run further.
The types of pass listed below are in order of priority.
· A pass into space behind the defender. This causes
more problems to
defenders than any other pass. They have
to turn, the attacker does not. If
they reach the ball before
the attacker they are facing the wrong way.
· A pass to the feet of most advanced attacker This
is the second best attacking
option. It is played behind most
of the opponents causing them to turn and
retreat.
· A pass beyond at least one defender Third best attacking
option. Even playing
the ball past one defender causes some
problem
· A cross field pass to switch the line of attack.
· A pass backwards to a supporting player.
3. Timing the release of the ball.
Play a pass too quickly, and your team mate will not be in
a position to receive it. However most mistimed passes are
played too late. Giving the defender time to cover and close
down passing angles. Whatever the problem the primary cause
is the passer playing with his head down and not seeing the
play unfold before him.
4. The Weight of the pass.
Passes which are too slow, (underweighted), will be intercepted.
Passes which are too fast (over weighted). may go out of play
or to an opponent or will present control problems for the
receiver.
5. Accuracy
In accurate passes are worst than useless. Accuracy depends
on technique. Being proficient in passing with the side foot,
the instep(laces area), the outside of the foot, the inside
of the foot (near the big toe).
Analysis Shows
Long forward passing is a factor in 27% of all goals scored
(Long diagonal passes are an element in 12% of goals and long
direct passes in 15 % of goals)
|
