Football is a game that requires teamwork, coordination, and creativity. There are famous football players in the world who have mastered the game and brought glory. One of the most essential skills that every football player should master is passing.
Passing is sending the ball accurately to a teammate or a specific area on the pitch. It allows a team to keep possession, create chances, and score goals.
There are many types of passes in football, each with its purpose, technique, and difficulty.
In this article, we will explore seven of the most common and important types of passes in football that everyone should know.
1. Short Pass
The short pass is the simplest and most basic type in football.
It is a pass that covers a short distance, usually between two to five meters, and is performed with the inside of the foot.
It retains control and moves the ball around quickly, avoiding pressure from the opponents.
Some of the best short passers in soccer history include Xavi, Andrea Pirlo, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, and Kevin De Bruyne.
To execute a short pass, the player should:
- Approach the ball at a slight angle, with the non-kicking foot next to the ball and pointing towards the target.
- Swing the kicking leg back slightly and lock the ankle.
- Contact the ball with the inside of the foot, near the big toe, and follow through towards the target.
- Keep the body balanced and the head steady.
2. Long Pass
The long pass is a pass that covers a long distance, usually more than 20 meters and is performed with either the instep or the laces of the foot.
A long pass helps change the course of the game, take advantage of open spaces behind the defense, and start counterattacks.
Some of the best long passers in soccer history include David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Andrea Pirlo, and Toni Kroos.
To execute a long pass with the instep, the player should:
- Approach the ball at a 45-degree angle, with the non-kicking foot behind the ball and pointing towards the target.
- Swing the kicking leg back high and fast, keeping it straight.
- Contact the ball with the arch of the foot, near the laces, and follow through upwards and towards the target.
- Lean back slightly and lift the chest to generate power and height.
To execute a long pass with the laces, the player should:
- Approach the ball straight on, with the non-kicking foot next to or slightly behind the ball and pointing towards the target.
- Swing the kicking leg back high and fast, keeping it straight.
- Contact the ball with the laces of the foot, near the top of it, and follow through downwards and towards the target.
- Lean forward slightly and keep the head down to generate power and accuracy.
The long pass is a skill that requires strength, timing, and vision. It can be very effective when used wisely and accurately.
3. Through Pass
The through pass is a forward pass that goes into free space behind or between the defenders.
The through pass is used to create goal-scoring opportunities for teammates who are making runs behind or across the defense.
Some of the best through passers in soccer history include Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Lionel Messi.
To execute a through pass, the player should:
- Look for gaps in the defense and anticipate where their teammate will run.
- Approach the ball at an angle, with the non-kicking foot next to or slightly behind the ball and pointing towards the target.
- Contact the ball with either the inside or the outside of the foot, depending on the angle and the direction of the pass, and follow through towards the target.
- Apply enough power and spin to the ball to reach the teammate before the defenders or the goalkeeper.
The through pass is a skill that requires creativity, precision, and timing. It can be very effective when performed at the right moment and with the right weight.
4. Lobbed Pass
The lobbed pass is an aerial pass that goes over the defenders or the goalkeeper.
The lobbed pass is used to exploit space behind or over the defense or to chip the ball over the goalkeeper who is off their line.
Some of the best-lobbed passers in soccer history include Pele, Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio, Francesco Totti, and Lionel Messi.
To execute a lobbed pass, the player should:
- Look for space behind or over the defense, or spot the goalkeeper’s position.
- Approach the ball at an angle, with the non-kicking foot next to or slightly behind the ball and pointing towards the target.
- Swing the kicking leg back high and fast, keeping it straight.
- Contact the ball with either the instep or the outside of the foot, near the bottom of it, and follow through upwards and towards the target.
- Lean back slightly and lift the chest to generate height and spin on the ball.
The lobbed pass is a skill that requires finesse, power, and accuracy. It can be very effective when used with surprise and confidence.
5. Cross
The cross is a pass that goes from the side of the pitch to the center, usually near the opponent’s goal.
The cross is used to create chances for teammates who are in or near the penalty area.
Some of the best crossers in soccer history include David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Roberto Carlos, Dani Alves, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
To execute a cross, the player should:
- Look for teammates making runs or are in good positions in or near the penalty area.
- Approach the ball at an angle, with the non-kicking foot next to or slightly behind the ball and pointing towards the target.
- Contact the ball with either the instep or the outside of the foot, depending on the angle and the direction of the cross, and follow through towards the target.
- Apply enough power and spin to the ball to make it curve, dip, or swerve in the air.
There are different types of crosses, such as:
- Pull-back: A cross that goes back towards the edge of the penalty area, where a teammate can shoot or pass.
- Drilled: A cross that goes low and hard across the goal, where a teammate can tap in or deflect.
- Whipped: A cross that goes high and fast towards the goal, where a teammate can head or volley.
- Looped: A cross that goes high and slows over the defenders or the goalkeeper, where a teammate can head or chest.
- Volleyed: A cross hit directly from a pass or a clearance without letting the ball bounce.
The cross is a skill that requires vision, technique, and accuracy. It can be very effective when delivered with quality and variation.
6. One-Two
The one-two is a combination of two passes between two players. The one-two is used to create space, beat defenders, and advance the ball up the pitch.
Some of the best one-two passers in soccer history include Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Lionel Messi.
To execute a one-two, the player should:
- Pass the ball to a teammate nearby who is in a position to receive it.
- Make a quick run into free space, either behind or across the defender marking them.
- Receive the ball back from their teammate, who should pass it into their path.
The one-two is a skill that requires communication, coordination, and speed. It can be very effective when performed with timing and accuracy.
7. Backheel
The back heel is a pass performed with the back of the heel. The backheel is used to surprise the opponents, reverse the play, or create a chance.
Some of the best backheel passers in soccer history include Pele, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Olivier Giroud.
To execute a backheel, the player should:
- Look for a teammate who is behind them or by their side.
- Approach the ball at an angle, with the non-kicking foot next to the ball and pointing away from the target.
- Swing the kicking leg back slightly and bend the knee.
- Contact the ball with the back of the heel, near the center of it, and follow through towards the target.
- Keep the body balanced and the head steady.
The backheel is a skill that requires flair, agility, and awareness. It can be very effective when used sparingly and unpredictably.
The History of Passing in Football
Passing is not a modern invention in football. It has been part of the game since its origins in the 19th century.
However, the style and frequency of passing have changed over time, influenced by different factors such as rules, tactics, culture, and technology.
In the early days of football, passing was not very common or popular. Most players preferred to dribble the ball individually.
Passing was seen as a sign of weakness or cowardice and was often met with ridicule or criticism.
The rules also did not favor passing, as there was no offside rule, meaning that defenders could stay close to their goal and prevent any forward passes.
However, some teams and players started to realize the potential and benefits of passing.
They experimented with different types of passes and formations and developed new strategies and techniques.
One of the pioneers of passing was the Scottish team Queen’s Park, who introduced the combination game in the 1870s.
They used short passes to keep possession and move the ball up the pitch and long passes to switch play and surprise the opponents.
They also used one-twos and crosses to create chances and score goals.
Another influential team was the English team Preston North End, known as the Invincibles in the 1880s.
They used a 2-3-5 formation, which allowed them to have more players in attack and midfield. They used quick and accurate passes to dominate their opponents and win games.
They also used through passes and lobbed passes to exploit space behind or over the defense.
The introduction of the offside rule in 1891 also changed the way of passing in football.
The offside rule stated that a player was offside if he was nearer to his opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.
It meant that players had to be more careful and creative with their passes, as they could not simply pass the ball forward to a teammate ahead of them.
It also encouraged more movement and teamwork among players as they had to make runs and support each other.
The growth continued in the 20th century as different countries and regions adopted various styles and philosophies of passing. Some of the most notable examples are:
- The Hungarian team of the 1950s, known as the Mighty Magyars, used a fluid and flexible system where players could interchange positions and roles depending on the situation. They used short passes to maintain possession and confuse opponents and long passes to stretch their opponents and create space.
- The Brazilian team of the 1958 World Cup, known as the first team to win the World Cup with flair and style, used a 4-2-4 formation which gave them more attacking options and creativity. They used dribbling, passing, and movement to create beautiful plays and score spectacular goals.
- The Dutch team of the 1970s, known as the inventors of Total Football, used a system where every player could play any position on the pitch, depending on where they were needed. They used passing, pressing, and possession to dominate their opponents and control the game.
- The Spanish team of the 2000s, known as the masters of Tiki-Taka, used a system where they passed the ball constantly among themselves, with short passes, one-twos, triangles, and rotations. They used passing to keep possession, tire out their opponents, and find gaps in their defense.
Passing is still evolving in football as new technologies, rules, trends, and innovations are introduced.
Passing is not only a skill but also an art and a strategy. It can make or break a game, a team, or a player.
How to Improve Your Passing Skills
Passing is not only a skill but also an art. It requires practice, patience, and precision. Here are some tips on how to improve your passing skills in football:
- Watch and learn from the best passers in the game. Observe how they choose the right type of pass, the right timing, and the right target. Some of the best passers in football history include Xavi, Andrea Pirlo, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, and Kevin De Bruyne.
- Practice passing with both feet. Passing with both feet gives you more options and makes you unpredictable. Start with easy short passes and gradually increase the distance and difficulty to improve your weaker foot.
- Practice passing under pressure. Passing in a game situation is different from passing in a drill. You have to deal with opponents, teammates, space, and time. Practice passing with a partner or a group of players who try to intercept or block your passes to simulate game pressure.
- Practice passing with different parts of your foot. Depending on the type of pass, you may need to use the inside, the outside, the instep, or the laces of your foot. To improve your passing technique, practice passing with different parts of your foot and aim for accuracy, power, and spin.
- Practice passing with different types of balls. Various types of balls vary in weight, size, shape, and texture. To improve your passing adaptability, engage in practice sessions with different types of balls, including leather, plastic, rubber, and even tennis balls.
The Benefits of Passing in Football
Passing is not only a skill but also a strategy. It has many benefits for a team and a player. Here are some of the benefits of passing in football:
- Passing helps a team keep possession of the ball. Possession is important because it allows a team to control the tempo of the game, dictate the play, and tire out the opponents.
- Passing helps a team create chances and score goals. It is essential for making movement, opening spaces, breaking lines, and finding gaps in the defense.
- Passing helps a team defend and prevent goals. It helps relieve pressure, clear danger, counterattacking, and keep shape.
- Passing helps a player improve their skills and confidence. It is beneficial for developing a player’s vision, decision-making, communication, teamwork, and creativity.
The seven types of passes highlighted in this article, from the short pass to the backheel, each brings unique value to the beautiful game.
Passing is not just about moving the ball – it is about captivating fans, altering the course of matches, and achieving greatness on the field.
Mastering the art of passing, both as a player and as a team, can lead to moments of brilliance, victory, and lasting memories on the hallowed pitch.
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