In the early days of modern soccer the game was all about dribbling and tackling. Then Scottish invented the passing game and became pretty much unbeatable. Soon everyone else followed suit. The ability to move the ball up the field at speed from player to player has remained a key part of the game ever since. Quite simply, if a team can't pass accurately,they're not going to win.
Passing can be done with any part of the foot. The instep is generally used for a long ball, the inside of the foot for a safer, shorter pass. The outside of the shoe is often an effective method of curving a pass and surprising the opposition - a well-placed back-heel kick can completely deceive a defence. You can even pass with other parts of your body - your head is a vital tool, as is your chest.
Passing also enables a team to keep possession and it is worth emphasizing that a team cannot score if it does not have possession. A well-placed pass from midfield to a point in front of an attacker's run can set up a goal, and the ability to do passes like this is one of the most prized assets in the game. One much-maligned but very useful method of passing is the long ball. This can vary from an aimless "thump" up front by a beleaguered defender to an inch-perfect diagonal ball from a gifted midfielder.
Like any other aspect of the game, passing in all its various forms must be practiced before any player can be sure of being effective in a game.
PASSING TO A PLAYER ON THE RUN
If you are passing to an open player who is moving into open space, it is crucialto play the ball in front of him. If you play it toward where his feet are at the moment you strike the ball, by the time the ball gets to him a second or so later it will be behind him. So play the ball ahead of the player on the move. The faster hi is moving, the further ahead he will need the ball to be. Always try to play a ball so that the player receiving it will not have to break or adjust his stride pattern to receive the pass.
PASSING WITH THE OUTSIDE OF THE FOOT
This play can be useful if you need to play a pass along or close to the ground with more power than a sidefoot pass ( in other words, the ball needs to travel farther ). You can also exert spin on the ball, Making it " inswing " . To execute a pass with the outside of the shoe, prepare as if to drive the ball , but, insted of hitting it in the middle with the laces of your shoe, hit it through the side with the outside of the shoe. Your body shape, Stance, and head position should be exastly the same as when driving the ball.
THE LONG PASS
To get distance on your pass you need to loft the ball into the air, getting it to travel over other players' heads, also preventing it from being slowed down by contact with the field. To do this you must strike the bottom of the ball, following through and literally lifting into the air. You will need to take a stride or two as you approach the ball, and because you also need to get your foot right under the ball it is best to approach at a slight angle ( from the left if you are right-footed, from the right if you are left-footed ). As you run up to the ball, plant your nonkicking foot about 8 inches ( 20 cm. ) to the side of the ball, keep your body over the ball and at the same time swing your kicking leg straight back.As you kick the ball - making contact with your instep - lean back slightly ( the more you lean back the higher the ball will go ). Keep watching the ball and follow through in the direction of your target so that your kicking leg finishes in a position horizontal to your waist.
THE OVERLAP
Similar to the give and go in that this is a stock (fundamental) play in soccer, with a number of variations.
The most common type of overlap is when the outside midfielder cuts into the middle with the ball and the outside defender makes a run down the line. This is more a simple run. An overlap is when the player with the ball plays it to his teammate and then makes a run around that player. A center midfielder making a pass to a winger and then running around him or her to receive the ball down the line. A good method for a player to follow is to play and follow your pace (pass and move). You don't have to follow this directive exactly but this is a good way to move without the ball.
SHORT SHORT LONG
This is two short passes in quick succession and then a long pass to spread the defense or escape pressure. Two small give and goes and then a long pass as the defense closes in on you. Generally, in soccer your team will have time and space to make two, three, or maybe four passes in a small area. Then you'll need to escape pressure and the next pass should be a switch or a longer pass that breaks from the pressure entirely. For example, a few exchanges on the left with the forward and midfielders and then a switch to an open midfielder or defender on the right side of the field.
GIVE AND GO / WALL PASS
This is where you make a pass at an angle to a teammate and he or she plays the ball back to you after you have made a run behind the defender. The key here is suckering in the defender. Let him or her get just close enough to you so the defender thinks he or she has a chance of getting the ball.
Once they are close to you and the angle is right. Make the pass and break into open space behind the defender.
It is important for the person making the pass back (the wall) puts the right weight on the ball so the person initiating the give and go can run on to the ball and not have to break stride. This means playing the ball to the right open space and at the right pace.
This is a very important play and essentially there are numerous variations of the wall pass and this is the foundation for organizing an offensive support system for your team. You can play a give and go to create a scoring chance or to relieve pressure from a defender so have time to make a decisive pass. You don’t necessarily have to get behind the defender, it is a play that helps you relieve pressure and have more time to make another play
Inside of the foot:
This is the most useful part of the foot to use when passing the ball, the part of your foot with the most surface area, thus giving you the most control and accuracy.
Outside of the foot:
This kind of pass is used when you want to bend the ball into a teammate or into an area. Often your body is in a position where you can't make a simple pass. Try to strike through the ball. Follow through with the upper portion of the outside of your foot.
Inside Edge of the foot:
(Same as above but with the upper portion of your foot to bend the ball) Wrap your foot around the ball so the ball curves into your teammates feet or into an area, as with a cross or shot.
Long Passes:
(Driving the ball in to a teammate). If you are picking a player out you don't need to follow through the ball but instead, strike the ball sharply and stop your follow through just after hitting the ball.