3 Types of Passes in Soccer and How to Practice Each

Passing is the most used skill in soccer. A team makes hundreds of passes in a game, and almost every goal starts with one. Passing and receiving are what move the ball, keep possession and turn eleven players into a team. Here are the three types of passes you will need in every game, how to receive each one, and drills with videos to practice them.

The 3 types of passes in soccer

Coaches name passes by technique, but in a game you really face three passing situations, and each one is worth practicing on its own.

1. Short passes and receiving in tight spaces

When you are surrounded by defenders, the ability to play quick, accurate short passes and control the ball under pressure is what keeps possession and creates space. The short pass with the inside of the foot is the most common pass in soccer: keep the ball on the ground and pass to the foot your teammate can use. The more comfortable you are with the ball at your feet, using all surfaces of both feet, the better you will be at finding teammates in tight spaces.

Drills to improve short passes and receiving

One-touch passing: insides in and out

Quick two-touch passing: 2 touch insides, switch feet

Rondos with your team or a group of friends are another great way to practice this.

Players to watch: Luka Modrić, Rose Lavelle.

2. Long passes and receiving over distance

Sending and controlling long passes is how you switch the play and move the ball quickly. Midfielders and defenders use driven and lofted passes to exploit space and catch the opposition off guard. It takes a clean strike with the laces, and the vision to see the pass before the space closes.

Drills to improve long passes and receiving

Long-range passing

Receiving the ball out of the air

Cross-field passing with a partner is another great way to work on this.

Players to watch: Kevin De Bruyne, Claire Hutton.

3. Through passes and running onto the ball

A through ball breaks the defensive line and creates scoring chances. It needs precise timing between the passer, who has to see the run and weight the pass into space, and the receiver, who has to time the run so the ball arrives as they do. Played well, it is the most dangerous pass in the game.

Drills to improve through passes and running onto the ball

Figure 8s, inside right

Figure 8s, inside left

Timed runs with a partner and combination play in the final third build the timing.

Players to watch: Lionel Messi, Vivianne Miedema.

Receiving is half the pass

Every pass has a receiver, and a pass only counts if it can be used. Receive with the foot farthest from the defender, take your first touch into the space you want to play into, and keep your head up before the ball arrives so you already know your next pass. If your first touch bounces away, the best pass in the world is wasted. Work on it with these first touch drills.

A huge part of passing and receiving is confidence. You can’t be afraid to make a mistake. Read more on how to build soccer confidence. At the end of the day, your confidence comes from the work you put into training. Work on the drills above, and go through the passing and receiving section of each week’s new session in the Techne app. Mastering these skills is fun, and it will change what you can do for your team.