How To Pass A Soccer Ball

How To Pass A Soccer Ball

When watching a game of soccer there is one thing that you see more than anything else; passing! Soccer is a team game and learning how to pass the ball is something every player should do. In this post we will describe the different types of passes that are used as well as some hints and tips about how to execute them successfully!

Types Of Passes In Soccer


There are 3 main types of passes commonly referred to when discussing how to pass a soccer ball; these are the push pass, the lofted pass and the driven pass. Below we will talk in detail about how to execute each type of pass in soccer and how to use these passes to  help your team maintain possession of the ball and create goal scoring opportunities.

How To Do A Push Pass

The push pass is the most common type of pass used in soccer as it is often the easiest way to make an accurate pass to a teammate over a short distance.

To complete a push pass in soccer a player should first make sure they are approaching the ball from behind at an angle. Place your non kicking foot next to ball as you step into the pass, and open your hips up so the inside of your kicking foot is facing the ball. In a smooth motion swing your kicking foot towards the ball and strike in the center, making sure to follow through towards your intended target.

How To Do A Lofted Pass


Lofted passes are used in soccer when players need to make a pass over a longer distance and there are defenders in the way. By kicking the ball in the air and over the defenders heads it becomes much more difficult for opponents to intercept. For this reason players will often use a lofted pass to play the ball behind the defense for a teammate to run on to or to switch the play quickly from one side of the field to the other.

To complete a lofted pass players should again approach from behind at an angle and place their non kicking foot next to soccer ball. It is important that the non kicking foot is not too close to the ball as this will inhibit the natural swing of the leg as you look to strike with more power. For lofted passes players should connect with the ball underneath the vertical midline and follow through. For extra height on the pass you should focus on leaning back with your shoulders and chest as you kick the ball.

How To Do A Driven Pass.

Another way of passing the ball over a long distance is by executing a driven pass. Unlike a lofted pass, driven passes are generally on the ground or slightly above the ground. The advantage of a driven pass is that it will cover a greater distance in a shorter space of time, thus giving opponents less time to react. Players generally choose driven passes if there is a clear space that they can drive the ball through without it being intercepted by an opponent. Another advantage of the driven pass is that it can be easier for your teammate to receive as it is not coming to them from high up in the air. 

To complete a driven pass players should approach at an angle and place their non kicking foot next to the ball just as they would with a lofted pass. However this time their balance should be forward and leaning over the ball and the toes on their kicking foot should be facing towards the ground as they swing through to strike the ball with their laces.

A great way to remember how to do a driven pass is to try and emulate the great English soccer player ‘Tony Chestnut’. Whenever he would make a pass, his toe would be facing towards the ground and his knee, chest and nut (head) would be over the ball. Toe-knee-chest-nut!

Other Types Of Passes

In addition to the push pass, lofted pass and driven pass there are lots of other ways players can pass the soccer ball to help their team retain possession or create chances to score. Players might use their toe or outside of their foot to make a pass quickly or to disguise their pass & surprise their opponents. A player could also choose to use their head or chest or foot to ‘one touch’ the ball to a teammate and keep the ball moving.

These skills can be harder to execute but highly effective and the only way to do them is practice and experiment. Regardless, for younger players and players new to the game, practicing and executing driven, lofted and push passes is a great way to start getting more comfortable with the ball and learning the fundamentals of soccer.