The pass would seem to be a simple enough facet of soccer: Just kick the ball so that it gets to a teammate, rather than dribbling the ball to advance it. Within that basic act, though, coaches see subtle nuances that can improve a your soccer. As a coach, you can set objectives to improve your players.
Significance
"The coaches' saying, 'the ball moves faster than you move,' illustrates the importance of passing," observes Wes Harvey, a Maryland-based coach of men's, women's and youth soccer. Ask your players in scrimmages to use passing to break down opposing formations, draw opponents out of position, misdirect opposing teams by changing the area of attack, control the ball under pressure and run the clock late in the game, Harvey advises.
Mechanics
Your first goal is to have players pass using the instep of the foot turned perpendicular to the direction the ball is intended to travel. The foot position in this case resembles a golf putter, Harvey notes. As with golf clubs, players can use their feet to chip or drive the ball by scooping up their passing foot.
At the intermediate level, players will be able to hit the ball hard with the top of their foot, around the shoelaces. Set an advanced objective for your players of using any part of their body, except their arms and hands, to direct a ball to a teammate.
At any level, players need to maintain proper balance. Have your players plant their non-kicking foot for at least an instant before passing and keep their arms away from the torso to achieve balance.
Types
Depending on the urgency of the situation, the easiest pass is often the best pass, Harvey notes. Teach the players that "easy is defined by the openness of the receiving player and the ability of that player to control the ball upon receiving it," he advises. A series of short passes can wear out defenders, as they chase after a ball that moves faster than they can run.
A square pass, parallel to the goal line, can confuse defenders, who often anticipate passes toward the goal or away from it, Harvey states. Jose Thadeu Gonçalves, author of "Principles of Brazilian Soccer," also observes that passes need not be toward the goal. Teach players that a diagonal pass away from goal can switch the point of attack and lead to a dangerous counterattack through the other side of the field.
A long crossing pass to change fields -- in other words, sending the ball from one well-defended part of the field to another emptier part of the field -- can serve as an objective for your players with a "big foot."
Application
"The No. 1 thing I would say in improved passing in soccer would be to practice with your teammates," Harvey recommends, "because you an never be sure where your teammates are going if you've never played with them. Reading patterns comes from repetitions with players. It's a team game."
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