How to Play a Through Pass in Soccer

The through pass is one of the most devastating attacking weapons in soccer. Essentially, a through pass is a forward pass through a gap in a defensive line that coincides with a timed run from the receiver in order to receive the ball behind the defense going to goal. When this pass is made to a fast forward, it often creates a 1v1 situation between the attacker and the goalkeeper. There are several things to look for when playing the through pass.

Things You'll Need

  • Soccer balls
  • Teammates
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get the head up. It is almost impossible to play a good through pass with the correct weight and accuracy if the passer plays with his head down, focused only on the ball. Getting the head up allows the passer to assess the field of play and decide the correct option. A player who can get his head up will see the runs much quicker and will be able to respond more appropriately.

    • 2

      Find the gaps in the defense. It is very difficult to make through pass into a packed defense. Ideally, the defensive line will be pushed up to the halfway line, and will be stretched wide. The general rule is that straight passes are made to diagonal runs, and diagonal passes are made to straight runs. It is also possible to make diagonal passes to diagonal runs, although these might be more rare. Once the gap has been assessed, the pass can be made.

    • 3

      See the run of the receiver. It is important to play passes only to players who are making runs to exploit the gaps in the defensive line. For this purpose, players must learn that runs dictate passes, and space dictates runs. Once the passer sees the receiver and the space he is running into, then the passer can begin to pass the ball.

    • 4

      Place correct pace into the pass. If the pass is hit too hard, it will either go out, it will be collected by the keeper, or it will lose its effectiveness and become a footrace between receiver and defender. A pass should begin to lose pace as soon as it gets through the gap in the defense.

    • 5

      Don't force the pass. If the through pass isn't on at that particular moment, it is better for the passer to maintain possession and choose another option to play. Forcing a through pass that isn't "on" gives possession back to the other team and wastes an attacking opportunity.