How to Pass the Ball to the Goalie in Soccer

Most of the time, a back pass to the goalkeeper results in an uneventful clearance as the goalie kicks the ball safely upfield. Once in a while, plans go awry, such as occurred with fullback Brandi Chastain's pass to Briana Scurry in a 1999 World Cup game versus Germany. When communication and the two players' field placement broke down, a goal resulted that Chastain had to make up at the other end of the field to engineer a U.S. win. You can apply the basics of back passes to make the process as foolproof as possible.

Instructions

    • 1

      Make your decision to send a back pass as soon as your opponent's pressure becomes clear, and act quickly. Avoid tracking back indecisively toward the goalie and sending a weak pass, which can be jumped on by an alert defender and converted into a cheap goal. Send a crisp pass that moves much more quickly than the fastest forward.

    • 2

      Send the pass back with your chest, thighs or head if you want your goalie to be able to catch it legally. Allow for the fact that Law 12 of the Laws of the Game promulgated by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, does not permit your goalie to pick up with her hands a deliberate pass from your feet.

    • 3

      Establish eye contact with the goalkeeper. Send the pass on an angle that avoids the goalmouth itself or crossing the face of the goal. This helps you so that, in the unlikely event of the goalkeeper mishandling the ball, the ball will roll across the end line for a corner kick rather than into the goal for a score. Ideally, the goalkeeper helps you by making a fast, sharp movement out of the goal, indicating with his arm where he wants you to pass the ball safely.

    • 4

      Communicate orally with the goalkeeper, calling out "get ready!" or "you" or "clear this" or a similar appropriate remark for your imminent pass. Jog back and wide away from the goal after sending your pass back so that you can provide your goalkeeper with an easy option for a return pass.