The ability for a player to pass the ball accurately, over a wide range of different distances is one of the key fundamental skills of the game. To be able to do this effectively, the player will have to master a range of passing techniques that allow them to pass the ball with accuracy, weight and timing. There will be a requirement to understand when to pass to feet, when to pass to space and how to pass the ball accurately with both feet over short and long distances. They will need to master the techniques that enable them to pass along the ground, to drive the ball with pace, to keep the ball low and to make chipped, floated, long lofted and swerved passes.

The players will need to be able to understand from a technical point of view, the angle of approach to the ball, the position of the non - kicking foot, the correct part of the ball to strike, the best part of the foot to use and how the follow through to the target effects the power, the accuracy and the flight of the ball. They will also be able to make decisions about whether the correct choice of the pass is first time or to control the ball and then pass. In addition to the technical requirements of making a pass, there should also be a focus on the accuracy, the weight and the timing of the pass.

But passing needs to be linked to other techniques that have a direct bearing on the technique of passing used. Except for free kicks, players will have received a pass from somewhere else, before they make a pass themselves. Therefore, the control prior to the pass is important as how and where the player controls the ball pre pass, will have a direct bearing on the type of pass they want to make. The player will also need a target or support player to pass to. This will require players off the ball to provide movement to support the player on the ball. Once the pass has been made, it is no good the passer standing and admiring the pass, they will need to move after the pass, so that they can be involved, in one way or another in the progress of the play.

One of the main contributory factors for the players decision on the type of pass they can make and the technique employed, will be the position of the opposition players. If, for example the passer wants to make a 30 yard pass to a team mate, the best and most accurate way would be to strike the ball with the laces, keeping it low and accurate, with enough pace to get to the target quickly, but not too much pace that it effects the accuracy or makes it difficult for the receiving player to control the pass. But, what happens to the technique and the decision of the passer, if an opponent is between them and the player they want to pass to. They may now decide to chip the ball over the opponents head, or swerve the ball round them, or not to pass to that player and make a different pass to another player. The player receiving the ball can also influence the passer if they provide movement and take a different support position so that the opponent is no longer between them and the ball. This support for the player on the ball, or the lack of movement, will also have an influence on the type of passing technique used and the timing and weight of pass.

Long Range Passing

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Short Range Passing

The following are considered the key technical coaching factors to improve short and long passing:

• Decision on first time pass or control and pass - The pace of the ball and the passing options will be major factors on this decision
• Control and set the ball prior to the pass - The way the player receives the ball and how and where they set it out of their feet, will make the selection of the correct passing technique easier
• Select and execute the correct passing technique - This will be decided by the distance of the pass, the position of the intended target of the pass and the position of the opposition players
• Picture the target - Players should get their head up before passing and picture the target they intend to pass to.
• Angle of approach to the ball - Different passing techniques require different angles of approach to the ball.
• Position of the non - kicking foot - For shorter passes the non - kicking foot will need to be closer to the ball, for longer passes further away and more to the side.
• Part of the ball to strike - To loft the ball, the ball will need to be struck centrally and below the mid line level of the ball or at the bottom of the ball. For ball to be kept low, the ball will need to be struck centrally and through the middle of the ball.
• Part of the foot to strike the ball with - For accurate shorter passing, the side foot of the foot would be used. For longer passes, the laces of the front of the foot.
• Position of the head - The head will need to be still and over the ball if possible.
• Follow through - The kicking foot should follow through on the line to the target. The exception to this is if the ball is to be swerved.
• Accuracy, weight and timing of the pass - These are all factors that will be influenced by the distance of the pass, the position of the receiving players, whether the ball is passed to feet or to space and the position of the opponents
• Movement and communication of support players - Very often the passer will need support movement from a team mate to get in a better position to receive the pass. This is certainly the case if an opposition player is between the passer and the receiving player.
• Movement after the pass - Once the pass has been made, the passer should look to move to find a new position.

The practices you will see in this section are suggested practices, they aren't definitive. Why not use these as a basis for ideas and design, save and share your own shooting and finishing sessions and games with Coaches Chalkboard?