Essential Soccer Skills - The Back Pass - By: Patrick Omari

Soccer, or football as it is known in its glorious homeland, is a game of guile and skill played between 22 warrior-like sportsmen. Ten players from each team play out on the pitch and one plays as the goalkeeper, the side's last line of defense, a last-gasp hero if you will. The winner is decided at the end of 90 minutes, the team with the most goals claiming victory. Teams play by passing the ball round until they find an opening, sometimes the ball must be passed backwards to the goalkeeper in order to retain possession, this is known as a back pass.

When learning to back pass there is one vital ingredient that you cannot be without, and that's confidence. If you're lacking in confidence you may not strike the ball with sufficient power for it to reach the goalkeeper, resulting in an embarrassing through-ball to your opposition striker. You may even hit it too hard and give your keeper a hard time clearing the ball, or worse, you may score a comedy own goal. When playing a back pass do it with confidence, if you're not confident then follow the example of all great British centre-backs and just hoof the ball out. Better safe than apologetic, as the saying goes.

Make sure you know which foot your goalkeeper prefers to kick the ball with when playing a back pass. You'll want to play it to his stronger foot to give him the best chance of kicking the ball and not making a fool of himself. Too many times defenders play keepers onto their weaker feet and the resulting clearance is rushed and often sliced badly. Don't fall into this trap, always give your keeper an easy time, he'll thank you for it afterwards.

Avoid passing over divots, enough said.

When passing back to your goalkeeper make sure you communicate with him. Remind him of the 1992 change to the back pass rule where goalkeepers are no longer allowed to pick up the ball from a pass from the foot. If your keeper hasn't played for 16 years he may be unaware of the change to the laws of the game.

Don't forget you can head the ball back to the keeper and he is allowed to pick up the ball using his hands. A headed back pass can be a very effective way of returning the ball to the keeper and maintaining possession. Take care with your header though, as a looped headed back pass may sail over the goalkeeper, resulting in another funny own goal.

Above all you really want to avoid making a back pass as goalkeepers usually play there for a reason, they aren't that good on pitch but have big hands. Keep a positive approach when playing football and try to pass the ball forwards, but in the event you have to go back then remember the advice contained in this article.

About the Author

Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in Gatwick parking, Gatwick parking and Gatwick hotels.

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