See the issue: September 2009

“The biggest thing in soccer is passing,” says Steve Nicol, head coach of New England Revolution. “If you can’t pass the ball properly, you won’t be able to help your teammates.”

Here is Nicol’s expert advice on properly executing specific passes. He says, “The key to any pass is following through with your body; you can’t be falling backward or forward. Get your balance, and bring your leg through the ball.”

Passing on ground to lead teammate into open space

• Use instep of foot and strike ball below middle
• Follow through with leg so it ends pointing in direction you’re aiming to pass

Floating ball over defenders

• Use upper instep of foot and strike ball just above bottom
• Follow through with leg so it ends pointing in direction you’re aiming to pass

Bending ball to the right

• Use outside of right foot and strike ball slightly below center, just inside the widest part of ball’s left side
• Follow through, slightly opening leg to the right

Bending ball to the left

• Use instep of right foot and strike ball slightly below center, just inside widest part of ball’s right side
• Follow through, bringing right leg across body

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