The basic soccer pass uses the inside of the foot. Plant your standing foot beside the ball pointing at your target, turn your kicking foot out so the inside faces the target, lock your ankle and strike through the middle of the ball, following through toward your teammate. Good passing is about more than technique, though. The weight of the pass, its timing and the choice of where to send it matter just as much. A perfectly struck pass to a teammate who is marked or running the other way is still a bad pass. This guide covers the main types of pass, step-by-step technique, decision-making, drills and the most common mistakes.
Health note: This article is general information, not medical advice. Long-passing practice places repeated stress on the hip and groin, so warm up properly, build volume gradually and stop if you feel pain.
Types of pass
| Pass | Use | Key technique |
|---|---|---|
| Inside-foot (push pass) | Short, accurate passes along the ground | Open the foot, lock the ankle, strike the middle of the ball |
| Driven pass | Firm, low passes over longer distances | Strike with the laces, toes down, chest over the ball |
| Lofted pass | Passing over opponents | Lean back slightly, strike under the ball with the instep |
| Through ball | Into space behind the defense for a runner | Weighted so the runner meets it in stride |
| One-two (wall pass) | Pass and move to receive a quick return | Pass, sprint into space, receive the return |
| Outside-foot pass | Quick, disguised passes, often curling | Flick the ball with the outside of the foot |
| Chip pass | Short lift over an opponent | Stab under the ball with little follow-through |
Step-by-step: the inside-foot pass
- Look up and pick your target before the ball arrives.
- Approach the ball from a slight angle.
- Plant your standing foot beside the ball, pointing at your target, with the knee slightly bent.
- Turn your kicking foot out so the inside faces the target.
- Lock your ankle to keep the foot firm.
- Strike through the middle of the ball, near the arch of the foot.
- Follow through toward the target, keeping the foot low.
The inside-foot pass is the most accurate pass in soccer, because it uses the largest flat surface of the foot. It is used for most short passes in a match, so it is worth practicing until it becomes automatic with both feet.
Step-by-step: the driven and lofted pass
For a driven pass, approach at a slight angle, plant your standing foot beside the ball, point your toes down, lock your ankle and strike the middle of the ball with your laces. Keep your chest over the ball to keep the pass low, and follow through toward the target. Driven passes are useful for switching play quickly or finding a teammate far away along the ground.
For a lofted pass, plant your standing foot slightly behind and beside the ball, lean back a little and strike the lower half of the ball with the instep, the area where the laces meet the inside of the foot. Follow through upward. Lofted passes carry the ball over opponents and are used for long switches of play, crosses and passes over a defense.
Weight and timing
The weight of a pass is how hard it is struck. A pass that is too soft can be intercepted; a pass that is too hard is difficult to control. The right weight depends on the distance, the surface and what your teammate wants to do next. A pass to a teammate’s feet should arrive firmly but under control. A through ball into space should be weighted so the runner can reach it in stride without slowing down, and without it running through to the goalkeeper.
Timing matters just as much. Release the pass when your teammate is ready, when their run creates space or when a defender is not in a position to intercept. A pass played a second too late can allow the defense to close the gap.
Passing into feet vs into space
Passing to a teammate’s feet is safer and suits situations where they want to keep possession or combine quickly. Passing into space is riskier but can break defensive lines and create chances. Good passers read their teammates’ movement and choose accordingly. Many coaches teach players to pass to the foot farther from a defender, so the receiver can protect the ball, and to use the teammate’s body shape as a guide: a player facing forward can often take a pass into space, while a player with their back to goal usually needs the ball to feet.
Decision-making: choosing the right pass
Before receiving the ball, good players look around, a habit often called scanning or checking the shoulder. Knowing where teammates and opponents are allows you to pass quickly and accurately. When choosing a pass, consider whether you can play forward, whether the receiver is free, the risk of losing the ball in that area and whether a simpler pass would keep possession. In your own half, the safe option is often best. In the attacking third, a riskier pass that creates a chance can be worth trying.
Receiving the ball to pass well
A good pass often starts with a good first touch. If your first touch sets the ball slightly out of your feet and toward where you want to play, you can pass quickly without needing extra touches. Open your body to the field when receiving, so you can see more options and play forward if possible. Receiving on your back foot, the foot farther from where the ball came from, is a common coaching point because it opens your body and lets you play in more directions. Players who control and pass in two quick touches keep the ball moving and make it much harder for opponents to press them.
One-touch passing takes this further. When the ball arrives and a teammate is already free, passing first time moves the ball faster than any player can run. It requires good technique, awareness of where teammates are before the ball arrives and a calm, firm contact. One-touch passing is a big part of possession-based play at every level.
Communication
Passing is a two-person skill. The receiver should call for the ball, point to where they want it or make a clear run. The passer can also communicate, telling the receiver they have time or warning them of pressure. Short, clear calls make passing faster and reduce mistakes.
Passing drills
- Two-player passing: Pass with two touches, then one touch, using both feet.
- Triangle passing: Three players pass and follow their pass to the next cone.
- Rondo: 4v1 or 5v2 keep-away in a small square to practice passing under pressure.
- Long passing: Two players 25 to 35 yards apart practicing driven and lofted passes.
- Wall passing: Pass against a wall on your own, alternating feet and varying distance.
- Through-ball drill: A passer finds a runner timing their run between cones.
Common mistakes
- Head down, missing better passing options.
- Loose ankle, which makes passes inaccurate.
- Plant foot pointing the wrong way, sending the ball off target.
- Wrong weight, passes too soft or too hard.
- Passing to a marked teammate when another option is free.
- Only using the stronger foot.
- Standing still after passing instead of moving to support.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important pass in soccer?
The inside-foot pass. It is the most accurate and the most frequently used in matches.
How can I pass more accurately?
Point your standing foot at the target, lock your ankle, strike the middle of the ball and follow through toward your teammate. Practice regularly with both feet.
What does pass and move mean?
After passing, move into space to receive the ball again or support the teammate, rather than standing still.
