Football Pass Types

Types of Passes

There are many different types of passes in soccer. We will describe each of them below.

• Short Pass
• Long Pass
• Forward Pass
• Back Pass
• Through Pass
• Cross
• Give and Go Pass
• One-Touch Pass
• Backheel Pass

Short Pass (Push Pass)

A short pass, also commonly known as a push pass, is the most popular pass in soccer. A short pass involves a player making a regular pass with the inside of their foot over a short distance directly to a teammate. When properly executed, a push pass can move a soccer ball more than 20 feet up the field in record time.

Long Pass

A long pass is one that covers a large portion of the pitch. It is usually sent from the defensive line or defensive midfielder up to the attacking penalty box or across the field to switch play. Long passes can be a good way to back off defenders and reset the offense on the other side of the field.

Forward Pass

A forward pass is a direct pass to a teammate that advances the ball toward the attacking goal. Forward passes are typically used to get closer to the opponent’s goal and set up scoring opportunities. Any pass that goes in the direction of the opposing team’s net is considered a forward pass.

Back Pass

A back pass is a pass back towards your own team’s goal rather than forward towards the attacking goal. The goalkeeper may not use their hands to pick up a back pass from a teammate. If a goalkeeper picks up a pass from their teammate, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team. While a back pass may seem illogical at first, it can be a great way to maneuver the soccer ball back to a stable position within the defense.

Through Pass

A through pass is a pass that splits two defenders and connects with a teammate running behind the defense while remaining onside. This is a very effective pass on the attack and is difficult to execute against a disciplined defense.

Cross

A cross is a type of pass from deep in the attacking area on the sidelines, aimed in towards the penalty box. A cross can often lead to a volley or header goal. It is a dangerous situation for the defense, who must at once keep their eye on the ball in flight while also marking space or an attacker.

Give and Go Pass

A give and go pass, or wall pass, is a two vs. one situation. One offensive player sends a pass laterally or forward on an angle to a teammate and then immediately runs past a defender into space. Like a direct rebound from a wall, the receiving teammate hits a one-touch pass back to reconnect with the first teammate who originally had the ball. A give-and-go pass is a perfect example of the effectiveness of off-ball movement.

One-Touch Pass

A one-touch pass is a pass where a player receives the ball from a teammate, and with one touch, sends it to another teammate. A one-touch means the player did not trap and dribble the received ball before passing it. One-touch passing requires control and strong field vision.

Backheel Pass

A backheel is a special pass where the passer uses the back of the foot to pass the ball to a teammate behind them. This move has become more popularized as some of the best professional players utilize the pass. Using the backheel pass will confuse defenders. However, it is one of the most difficult passes to execute and requires practice to perfect.