The tactics deployed by elite football teams tend to influence the low-tier and grassroot levels of the sport.
Recently, the success of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has encouraged coaches to create position and possession-based systems, which require a certain range of technical attributes.
But how can you coach and improve passing among your players? Well, there are several fundamental principles that help to cultivate advanced passing skills, along with various questions that can prompt players and promote more detailed understanding.
Vision
Vision refers to a player’s ability to see potential passing options. The best creative playmakers are able to see passes and open players all over the pitch, rather than just those that are directly in their line of vision.
Central to this is awareness and communication with teammates, who should be encouraged to constantly seek out space and create options for those in possession of the ball. Players must also constantly scan the pitch for movement and options, all while retaining possession of the ball.
When coaching players, it’s important to affirm the importance of awareness and constantly scanning the position of teammates. They should also be encouraged to appraise the position of opponents, in order to quantify the best possible passing option in real-time.
Timing, Movement and Options
When coaching structured possession and patterns of play, teamwork is key. So, when a player receives possession of the ball, their teammates should work constantly to seek out space and open up viable passing lanes.
Over time, certain movements will become familiar and it will become easier to build attacks. For example, a midfield pivot may drop into the defensive line to create an option for a centre back, while the left or right full back moves forward and into space. Ideally, players should also adjust and adapt their movements based on the player in possession, particularly their ability and range of passing.
The constant rotation of players is key here, and individuals must always be encouraged to find space within the team’s attacking shape. This also makes it easier for players to execute passes at the optimal time, rather than holding the ball for too long and ultimately being dispossessed.
Accuracy and Weight of Pass
Of course, being able to see and pick the right passes means little without correct execution. Once a player picks out their intended target, they’ll need to aim to complete the pass, whether this is played directly to feet, in front of the recipient or into space behind the opposing defensive line.
At this stage, players need to understand precisely where they want to place the pass. They should also understand their optimal position and body shape when playing the pass, whether they need to open their body or turn backwards to face the recipient.
The weight of the pass is also key. When trying to create a high tempo or encourage a teammate to roam forward, for example, passes should be played quickly and between 5-10 and yards in front of the recipient (depending on the position of the opponent). A slower pass may be required when focusing on ball retention and setting up attacks.
Technique
If your players are going to play accurate and well-weighted passes, they’ll need to develop optimal technique. This also creates more consistent passing, while helping teams to better retain possession during games.
Typically, short passes are best played with the instep, where longer balls or direct switches of play should be executed using the laces. Each technique impacts the weight of the pass and ball trajectory, so mastering these basic ways of striking the ball is key.
However you choose to strike the ball, you should also focus on balance and the positioning of your standing foot. This is especially true when looking to generate power with longer passes.
Receiving to Play
Finally, players will need to anticipate receiving the ball and already have an understanding of their surroundings before the ball reaches them. This also helps players to assume the right body position and take a good first touch, as they look to get the ball out of their feet and open up their desired passing lane.
Alternatively, a lighter touch may be required when they receive the ball in a tight or confined space, such as midfield.
Ultimately, players need to understand this and the importance of setting themselves up to receive, protect and pass the ball as it’s received. This explains why anticipation is so crucial, as players should already be prepared to play a pass or shield the ball as it’s received into feet.
