In soccer, a team tries to pass or dribble the ball toward the other team's goal. However, if the other team's defense is strong, that might not be possible. The player with the ball has two choices. The first is to power forward and try to overwhelm the defense. For example, the player might make a risky pass forward to another teammate or attempt to dribble past the defenders.
Back Pass
The second choice is to retreat by executing a back pass, which is just what it sounds like. The player turns toward her own goal to find an open teammate behind her. Before the defense can overwhelm her and take the possession of the ball, the player passes the ball back to the teammate.
Function
Back passes serve two purposes. First, they prevent the other team from stealing the ball, which is likely if you make a foolhardy pass or try to dribble past a strong defensive line. Second, they allow your team to reposition and prepare for another attempt to move the ball upfield.
Effect
Typically, the player who receives the back pass will pass the ball to another player. For example, if the player who receives the ball is on the left side of the field, he will pass it to the right to an open teammate. That teammate likely will try to pass the ball forward. So the back pass has allowed the team to retreat from the first attack on one side of the field and try a second attack on the other.
Risk
The major risk of executing a back pass is giving up ground to your opponent. For example, if you pass back to an open teammate, but she loses the ball to a defender who rushes forward, you have allowed the other team to take a dominant position. Another risk is kicking the ball into your own goal, resulting in a point for the other team. This happens when a player attempts to pass back to the goalkeeper. If the goalkeeper misses the ball for whatever reason, and the ball travels into the goal, the other team scores.
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