Effective soccer players know when to use different types of passes. Long, high crosses work well when a player needs to send the ball far across the field. Short passes work well when players are close to each other. Normally, the passer aims the ball directly at the recipient. But the goal of a through pass is to send the ball to where the recipient is going to be, not where he is.
Function
A through pass occurs when a player sends the ball into the open space behind defenders so that a teammate can sprint past the defensive line to receive the ball. While the concept is simple, executing an effective through pass requires excellent aim and an ability to judge the speed of the recipient.
Preparation
The passer must quickly analyze the positions of her teammates and opponents. For example, the passer might notice that her teammate is sprinting upfield while the defensive line is backpedaling. This means that the sprinting teammate has a speed advantage and can dart past the defensive line. The passer then judges how far behind the defenders she must send the ball and how fast the ball needs to travel.
Delivery
Accuracy is vital because the goal is to place the ball where the recipient will be after several seconds of sprinting. If the passer sends the ball too far, his team might lose possession because the recipient cannot run fast enough to retrieve the ball before a defender reaches it. If the passer doesn't send the ball far enough, the recipient will have to slow down to accept the pass, giving defenders time to catch up. The passer makes a decision and kicks the ball forward, either by chipping it over the heads of the defenders or by shooting it low and fast between them.
Considerations
The best way to practice through passes is to play with other people. It takes time to develop an ability to judge player positioning and to aim the ball well, so focus on learning to recognize through-pass opportunities during practice matches. Also, practice different through-pass techniques. For example, learn when to chip the ball over defenders into the open space and when to shoot a low, speedy pass through a hole in the defensive line.
Member Comments