Controlling and passing the ball

1Why this matters

In a football match, each player has the ball at their feet for only a small part of the game. What they do in those moments depends on two skills: bringing the ball under control quickly, and passing it accurately to a teammate. A team that controls and passes well keeps the ball, and a team that keeps the ball tires out its opponents. You can practise both skills with one ball, two cones and a partner, on any flat ground in Rwanda.

2Controlling the ball (receiving)

Control, or receiving, means taking the pace off the ball so that it stops where you want it. The key idea is cushioning: the part of the body that meets the ball moves back slightly as the ball arrives, like catching an egg.

• Inside of the foot: for ground passes. Turn the foot out, lift it a few centimetres, meet the ball in the middle and draw the foot back as it arrives.
• Sole of the foot: to stop the ball dead. Rest the sole lightly on top of the ball, toes up, heel down.
• Thigh: for a dropping ball. Lift the thigh to meet the ball, then lower it as the ball arrives so the ball falls at your feet.
• Chest: for a high ball. Lean back slightly with your arms out for balance, and let the chest "give" so the ball drops in front of you.

Good receivers also:

• look before the ball arrives (a quick look over the shoulder), so they already know where the space and the opponents are;
• move towards the ball instead of waiting for it;
• take the first touch away from pressure, into space, ready for the next action.

3The inside-foot pass (push pass)

This is the most accurate pass in football, used for short and medium distances along the ground.

1. Look at your target, then at the ball.
2. Place your standing foot beside the ball, about a foot-width to the side, toes pointing at the target.
3. Turn the passing foot out so the inside of the foot faces the target. Lock your ankle, with the toes slightly up.
4. Swing from the hip and strike the middle of the ball with the middle of the inside of the foot.
5. Follow through towards the target. Keep your head steady over the ball.

The instep drive (laces pass) is used for longer, harder passes and shots: the standing foot beside the ball, toes pointed down, and the laces strike the middle of the ball. Leaning back or striking the bottom of the ball lifts it into the air.

4Drills

• Gate passing: partners 8 to 10 m apart pass through a gate of two cones 1 m apart. Control with one touch, pass with the next.
• Triangle passing: three players, three cones. Pass and follow your pass to the next cone.
• Rondo (4 against 1): four players on the sides of a 10 m square keep the ball away from one defender in the middle. Whoever loses the ball changes places with the defender.

Worked example: measuring accuracy

Niyonzima tests his passing through a 1 m gate from 10 m. He takes 20 passes with each foot.

His left foot is much weaker. In a match, defenders will notice and force him onto it. His plan: 10 minutes of left-foot passing at every practice, starting at 6 m and moving back to 10 m only when he reaches 70%.

Four weeks later he scores 13 out of 20 with his left foot: 13 ÷ 20 × 100 = 65%, an improvement of 20 percentage points.

Practice

Solution. Moving the receiving part of the body back slightly as the ball arrives, so that it takes the pace off the ball and the ball stops close to you.

Solution. Point the toes of the standing foot at the target. The standing foot's direction strongly affects where the ball goes.

Solution. The chest or the thigh (then bring the ball down to the feet).

Solution. To know where the space and the opponents are, so that your first touch can go away from pressure and your next action is already decided.

Solution. 12 ÷ 16 × 100 = 75%.