5 Tips on How to Pass a Soccer Ball Properly as a Beginner
Passing is one of the most fundamental skills in soccer because it is the primary way to move the ball between teammates, and there are different types of passes for different scenarios. But before you move on to trying the more advanced types of passes, you must first figure out how to perform the most basic type of pass consistently.
The good news is that passing is one of the easiest skills to train because all you need to improve are your feet, a ball, and a wall or a partner.
In this post, I’ll go over 5 tips for passing a soccer ball to build a stronger technical foundation and become a more effective, confident player on the ball. If you’re interested in taking your training to the next level with a structured program, you can reach out to me or learn more here.
How do you pass a soccer ball?
Learning to pass a soccer ball requires consistent practice over a long period of time. It is one of the most fundamental skills of the game that every player needs to master, along with ball control, first touch, dribbling, shooting, defending, awareness, decision-making, composure, and creativity. All of these skills develop faster when you follow the tips below and if you consistently work on the key pillars of player development: talent, game IQ, mindset, athleticism, fitness, recovery, and discipline.
The most common way to pass a soccer ball is with the inside of the foot, and once you get comfortable with that, you can focus on more advanced techniques.
Plant Your Non-Kicking Foot Properly
Where you plant your non-kicking foot has a direct impact on the accuracy and power of every pass you make, because the position of your standing foot determines the angle, height, and direction the ball will travel after you make contact. As a general rule, plant your non-kicking foot right next to the ball with a slight bend at the knees and with your toes pointing in the direction you want the ball to travel towards.
Pointing your toe in a different direction from where you want the ball to go will turn your hips the wrong way, which leads to passing the ball across your body.
Use the Correct Part of Your Foot
Once you have proper foot placement, which allows you to step into the pass, the next step is to make sure you’re using the correct surface of your foot to strike the ball, because different types of passes require different parts of the foot. For an inside-of-the-foot pass, make sure that you open your hips and turn your foot so that you can use the long part of the inside of the foot to hit the ball and push through it.
The inside of the foot is the most commonly used surface for short- and medium-range passes, which means you will be doing a lot of inside-of-the-foot passes throughout a match. To learn how to do other common types of passes you will do in a match, watch this video – BEST 4 Ways to Pass in REAL GAMES.
Keep Your Ankle Locked
Keeping your ankle locked at the moment of contact is one of the most important technical habits for passing the ball properly. This is because a firm, stable ankle provides a reliable striking surface that makes clean, direct contact with the ball, whereas a floppy or relaxed ankle results in weak, inaccurate, and unpredictable passes.
Focus on tensing your ankle by applying fascial tension, and you will immediately notice a significant difference in the consistency and quality of every pass you make.
Follow Through After Contact
Following through after you strike the ball is what gives your pass its accuracy, pace, and direction, but again, it depends on how far your teammate is, which will determine how much force you need to apply. Let your kicking foot continue toward your target after contact, and keep your body balanced.
As you become more skilled, you will be better able to tense your body and hit the ball with the right amount of force to send it exactly where you want it to go.
Practice With Progressions
The fastest way to improve your passing is to start with simple techniques and eventually move on to more advanced ones. Start with stationary passing against a wall or with a partner, then progress to one-touch passing, passing on the move, and eventually passing under pressure in small-sided games.
One key skill that goes hand-in-hand with passing, since your first touch is crucial in setting up your next move, is being able to do multiple types of turns effectively.
Conclusion
To summarize, passing a soccer ball properly comes down to training the right technical habits over a long period of time. Use the tips above, work on the pillars of player development, play against live opponents, and you will become much better at passing under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to stay consistent with mindset training in soccer?
The best way to stay consistent with mindset training in soccer is to use simple habits like journaling, visualization, and positive self-talk regularly. Players can also use tools such as a soccer training journal, a performance tracker, a mental training book, and other mental training resources to help structure their training, make it more consistent, and make their mindset more measurable.
What gear and equipment do I need to improve my soccer skills?
The best thing about soccer is that you don’t need much equipment or accessories to start playing and improving. All you really need is a soccer ball, but the more seriously you want to play, the more gear you will need, such as soccer cleats, shin guards, grip socks, shorts, and shirts, as well as soccer equipment like cones, rebounders, ball pumps, and soccer bags.
How do I improve my soccer skills?
To improve your soccer skills, focus on playing the game and its variations as much as possible while dedicating time to mastering fundamental skills such as ball control, passing, shooting, dribbling, and defending. Combine regular team training with solo soccer drills, small-sided games, and learning from the feedback of coaches, teammates, and professional matches to speed up your progress, and follow this guide to have a more comprehensive plan.
