What Is Passing In Soccer? – The Ultimate Guide

What is passing in soccer?

Passing the ball is a technique that must be mastered by any player in the world.

It is considered to be the most simple but powerful technique in the world of soccer.

However, there are several types of passes you should know and use to your advantage.

In this article, you are going to learn everything there is to know about passing the ball in soccer, and most importantly, you’ll unlock the secrets to dominating the pitch with passes.

Let’s get started.

Quick Navigation

• What is passing in soccer?
• Why is passing important?
• The importance of timing and accuracy in passing
• Types of passing in soccer
• What is a key pass in soccer?
• What is a square pass in soccer?
• What is a push pass in soccer?
• What is a Through Pass in soccer?
• What is a reverse pass in soccer?
• What is a back pass in soccer?
• What is a wall pass in soccer?
• Final Thoughts

What Is Passing In Soccer?

Passing in soccer refers to the technique of giving the ball to a teammate. It is considered to be the most used technique in soccer and the most basic pass is done by using the inside of the foot. Additionally, some passes can be done using other parts of the body such as the head, chest and back. The goal of passing is to maintain possession of the ball and create scoring opportunities.

Why Is Passing Important?

Passing is important in soccer because it is the best way to build up play and create tactics and strategies to score goals.

Remember, every game is played with 11 players from each team. So, you can’t just take the ball and run to score yourself.

Although some players have shown some capacity to dribble several players and score, the probability to do that in modern soccer is low.

Also, if you try to hold the ball for too long and not pass it to your teammates, you could lose it. If you lose it, the opposition could get it and score. On top of that, your coach and teammates will blame you and you could potentially be benched for the next games.

This is why it’s important to pass the ball to your teammates unless you have an opportunity to shoot on target.

The Importance Of Timing And Accuracy In Passing

Timing and accuracy are crucial when it comes to passing in soccer. A well-timed pass can create a clear opportunity for a goal, while a poorly-timed pass can result in the loss of possession and an opportunity for the opposing team to score.

Timing is also important when it comes to playing the ball through the defense to a teammate who is making a run, as the pass must be made at the right moment for the teammate to be onside and able to receive it.

Accuracy is also crucial in passing, as an inaccurate pass can result in the ball going out of bounds, being intercepted by the opposing team, or not reaching its intended target.

An accurate pass, on the other hand, can maintain possession of the ball, create scoring opportunities, and put pressure on the opposing team.

To improve accuracy, you must practice and master the proper techniques for passing, such as striking the ball with the middle of the inside of the foot and following through towards the target.

Different Types Of Passing In Soccer

Here are the 7 types of passing in soccer:

• Key Pass
• Square pass
• Push pass
• Through Pass
• Reverse pass
• Back pass
• Wall pass

1-What Is A Key Pass In Soccer?

There are many perceptions of a key pass. During a soccer game, a key pass can be defined as a pass that can lead to a goal. Not necessarily an assist, but a pass that can break the entire opponent block and allow the players in the front to create a big chance to score.

A key pass is usually by midfielders.

2-What Is A Square Pass In Soccer?

A square pass is a training drill that allows players to get used to a passing pattern. This training drill consists of having four players standing on each cone and executing short passing around the square. Each player should pass the ball and follow their pass.

3-What Is A Push Pass In Soccer?

The push pass consists of passing the ball to your teammate. It is without a doubt the most used technique in soccer. Although it might seem very simple, it takes a lot of training to perform this skill with accuracy throughout the game.

A proper technique is crucial for the accuracy and success of your passes.

Strike the ball with the middle of the inside of the foot and follow through towards your target.

A lot of problems occur when you pass the ball outside of this area.

But if you want to get the most power and accuracy, you need to make contact with the ball at the base of your foot.

Plus, your hips should face your intended target.

4-What Is A Through Pass In Soccer?

A pass through the opponent’s defence intended for a teammate to run into space and beat the offside trap is called a “Through Pass” in soccer.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Make sure your teammate is not offside when you’re playing the ball
• Time your pass perfectly for the run of your teammate.
• You can pass the ball on the ground, chip it, swing it or bounce it.
• Try to place the ball right inside of the defensive line and put it in the running line of your teammate.

5-What Is A Reverse Pass In Soccer?

A reverse pass relies a lot on deception with different body parts to unlock the tight spaces behind the defence. During a soccer game, passing the ball to a teammate while facing another direction is called a reverse pass.

Here are some key points to keep in mind while executing a reverse pass:

• To execute a reverse pass, make sure to keep your hips going one way, then pass the ball another way.
• Make sure to have good space for balance and to kick out the ball. Work on your support foot.
• Focus on where your eyes are looking. Don’t indicate where you are about to pass the ball. So, face the same direction as your hips.

6-What Is A Back Pass In Soccer?

We refer to a back pass when a defender passes the ball back to his goalkeeper. Usually, during a soccer game, it’s not uncommon to see the team that is leading keeping the ball and the rest of the game is practically reduced to a short passing drill between defenders and the goalie.

Why do soccer players pass backwards?

Soccer players pass backwards for two main reasons:

• To waste a few seconds. This happens when the leading team knows the game is almost over.
• When the opponent team is too compact. This is usually the best situation to back-pass the ball to open the opposing block.

Keep in mind that when receiving the ball, the goalkeeper is not allowed to pick it up with his hands, otherwise, a penalty is going to be given to the opponent team. Hence goalkeepers must learn to play with their feet.

Manuel Neuer is the perfect example with some technical abilities.

7-What Is A Wall Pass In Soccer?

A wall pass, also known as a 1-2 or give-and-go, is a wonderful way to pass around a defender instead of always trying to dribble your opponent during a soccer game.

To execute a wall pass during a match, you need a teammate.

Let’s say you are walking towards the opponent’s goal and a defender is trying to stop you. Instead of trying to dribble, you can simply pass the ball to your teammate and move around the defender as soon as possible. Your teammate is finally giving you the ball back without controlling it and you can finish.

Note that your teammate should give you back the ball in front of you and not behind.

How to practice a wall pass in soccer?

Practising a wall pass is very simple. Take two of your friends, one should be the defender and the other your teammate.

Then practice as mentioned earlier.

Some key points to remember when practising:

• Run behind the defender.
• Your teammate should play the ball into space.

Final Thoughts

As you saw from this article, there are different types of passing in soccer. But you don’t have to master all of them. All you need is the ability to pass the ball with accuracy to a teammate by using the inside of your foot.

What did you learn new from this article? Do you know any other type of passing? Let us know in the comment section below.