Passing the Ball – Introduction to Football (Primary 4 Physical Education) | Ganzaa

Introduction to Football

Lessons

Primary 4 · Physical Education

Introduction to Football

3 lessons

Lesson 1 of 3

Passing the Ball

15 min

Let's begin

It is break time at school. Mugisha grabs the ball and runs, and runs, and runs... and three players take it from him. Then Keza passes to Ishimwe, Ishimwe passes to Gatete, and in a few seconds the ball is at the goal!

Why did Keza's team get there so fast? Because a ball travels faster than any runner. Today you will learn to pass.

Why do we pass?

Football (in Kinyarwanda, umupira w'amaguru) is the most popular sport in the world. It is a team game: in a full match each team has 11 players on the field. Nobody can win alone.

A passed ball moves much faster than a player running with it.
Passing keeps the ball away from the other team.
When the ball moves around, everyone in your team gets to play.

Warm up first

Before any game, spend about 5 minutes warming up: jog around the pitch, do side steps and high knees, then gently swing and stretch your legs. A warm-up makes your heart beat a little faster and gets your muscles ready, so they are less likely to get hurt.

The inside-foot pass, step by step

The inside-foot pass is the most useful pass in football. It is short and very accurate.

Look at your teammate. That is your target.
Standing foot: put it beside the ball, about a hand's width away, with your toes pointing at your target.
Kicking foot: turn it out, so the inside of your foot (the flat side, between the big toe and the heel) faces the ball. Keep your ankle firm.
Swing your leg from the hip and push through the middle of the ball.
Follow through: let your kicking foot keep moving towards your target.

Soft or strong?

For a short pass, use a small, gentle swing. For a longer pass, swing further back. If you kick under the ball, it flies up into the air. Kick through the middle and it stays on the ground, where it is easy to control.

Passing games with little equipment

Pass through the gate: put two sandals or stones 1 metre apart to make a gate. Two players stand 5 metres away on either side and pass through it. How many good passes can you make in one minute? Then move back to 8 metres.
Triangle pass and move: three players stand in a triangle. Pass, then run to a new space, ready for the next pass.
No ball? Many Rwandan children make their own by tying dry banana leaves or old plastic bags tightly with string. It works very well for passing practice!

Warning

Stay safe

Check the ground for stones, glass and holes before you play.
Drink clean water before and after playing.
Only kick the ball, never another player.

Tip

Point, lock, push, follow!

Standing foot points at your friend. Ankle locked. Push through the middle of the ball. Follow through to your friend. Say it each time you pass.

✦

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.

Which part of your foot do you use for the most accurate short pass?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: The inside of the foot, the flat side between the big toe and the heel.

Where should your standing foot point?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: At your target, the teammate you are passing to.

Umutoni's passes keep flying up into the air. What is she probably doing wrong?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: She is kicking under the ball. She should push through the middle of the ball to keep it on the ground.

Why is passing often better than running with the ball?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: The ball moves faster than a runner, it is harder for the other team to take, and more of your team joins in.

Your school has no football today. What can you do?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: Make a ball by tying dry banana leaves or plastic bags tightly with string.

Quick check

Put the steps of the inside-foot pass in order.

Tap the cards in the right order.

What you learned today

Passing moves the ball faster than running, and it keeps the whole team playing.
For the inside-foot pass: point, lock, push, follow.
Warm up first, check the ground, and drink water.

Sources and credits

Association football, by Simple English Wikipedia contributors, Simple English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Background facts (a team of 11 players; the world's most popular sport) adapted and simplified by Ganzaa.
Skill steps, games, diagrams, "Try it yourself" and the practice questions written by Ganzaa.

This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

1Why do we pass?

2Warm up first

3The inside-foot pass, step by step

4Soft or strong?

5Passing games with little equipment

Try it yourself

Why do we pass?

Warm up first

The inside-foot pass, step by step

Soft or strong?

Passing games with little equipment