63: Grow Coach Newsletter
Football Coaches: Develop your Coaching Craft.
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Here is What to Expect:
Coaching Craft: Forward Passing and Support Play.
Full 60-Minute Practice: 3 x practices to develop forward passing.
Football is a game of space. If you move well, you create space. If you create space, you create opportunities. And if you create opportunities, you win games. - Arsène Wenger
Forward Thinking: Elevating Your Game Through Forward Passing
Football thrives on split-second decisions and moments of brilliance. In the 2022 World Cup Final, Argentina’s opening goal came from a single, perfectly timed forward pass that carved open France’s defence—a reminder of how one skill can shift a game.
Forward passing isn’t just about moving the ball up the field; it’s the heartbeat of attacking play, blending vision, courage, and precision. Whether you’re a player aiming to unlock defences or a coach shaping a dynamic team, mastering forward passing can redefine your performance.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore why it matters, how to coach it, and ways to find a tactical edge in bringing it to life—complete with practices, psychology, and real-game magic.
Why Forward Passing is Important to the Game
Creates Scoring Opportunities: A well-placed forward pass is the fastest route to the final third. Teams like Manchester City, with their league-leading forward pass stats, often turn these into goals.
Dictates Tempo: A sharp forward pass can flip a game’s rhythm, catching opponents flat-footed. Think of counter-attacking sides like Liverpool thriving on this shift.
Exploits Space: It targets gaps in defensive lines—crucial against possession teams who overcommit in midfield.
Builds Confidence: Teams that nail forward passes play with swagger, unnerving foes. It’s a psychological edge as much as a tactical one.
Encourages Movement: Dynamic off-ball runs are the lifeblood of forward passing, fostering proactive play over static possession.
NOTE: Does this vary by playing style? Yes—possession teams rely on short, sharp forward passes to break lines, while direct sides prioritise long balls to exploit pace.
Key Coaching Points for Forward Passing
Vision and Awareness: Players must scan the field pre-reception—youth start with a “look up” cue; pros need 360-degree awareness. Mistake: Ball-watching. Fix: Shoulder checks every 2-3 seconds.
Weight and Accuracy of Pass: Too heavy, and the chance dies; too soft, and pressure mounts. Practice in a 10x10-yard grid, aiming for a teammate’s feet—progress to 20 yards as control grows.
Body Shape and Technique: Open hips to the field, using the inside foot for precision or a driven pass for power. Closed stances limit options—correct this with mirror drills.
Timing of Runs: Sync is everything. Too early, and the pass is picked off; too late, and space closes. Use 3v3 games to hone this—reward perfect timing.
Decision-Making: Risk vs. reward depends on context—a 1-0 lead might call for safety; a deficit demands boldness. Show clips (e.g., De Bruyne’s killer passes) to illustrate.
TIP: Beginners need basic “pass and move” practices; advanced players should master scanning under pressure (e.g. possession games with overloads).
3 Tactical Considerations for Forward Passing
Playing Through the Lines: Play beyond midfield pressure with incisive passes is key in a 4-3-3 where the No. 10 links play. Against a low block, patience is vital to the breakthrough.
Switching the Play: Diagonal or cross-field passes stretch defences. In a 4-4-2, wingers become outlets for long-forward balls.
Combination Play: One-twos and overlaps thrive on quick forward passes—perfect against compact midfielders pressing high.
Exploiting the Half-Spaces: Passes between fullback and centre-back unsettle backlines. Train this against a 4-2-3-1’s wide gaps.
Counter-Attacking: Quick, direct passes in transition—like Leicester’s 2016 title run—exploit disorganised defences.
TIP: Against pressing teams short forward passes to a pivot player draw out midfielders; Mid blocks need longer, lofted balls to bypass congestion and low blocks require wing play, cutbacks and late runs into the box.
Common Faults and Fixes
Overhit Passes:
Use grids on the playing field —pass to a target’s feet, increasing the distance or size of the grid weekly. This will help players become more accurate with their passing whilst also spotting the right time to release the pass.
Poor Timing Between Passer and Receiver:
Use 4v4 games with conditions—score only after a forward pass. Players should look for runners hesitating mid-stride, do they still play the pass or change their minds?
Lack of Scanning Before Receiving:
Add “check your shoulder” to all full-pressure practices—count scans aloud. Watch for heads down in possession. Give the players the detail they are looking for when scanning (Teammates, Options, Pressure, Space).
Too Many Risky Forward Passes:
Analyse video clips post-game training—highlight safer options (e.g., sideways to reset). See it when turnovers pile up. If you don’t have access to video stop the practice and ask some questions “ Why did you play that pass?” “Were there any other options”.
Static Movement Off the Ball:
Use breakout games to reward runs off the ball—e.g., release a runner into a certain zone to score. Notice when players bunch up or fail to make a run to help their teammates.
ACTION: Can coaches spot faults in live play?—e.g., overhit passes often follow rushed decisions; static play shows in crowded passing lanes, and no scanning usually leads to mistakes.
Player Psychology and Confidence
Forward passing demands risk, which can rattle players. Build their nerve:
Positive Reinforcement: Praise attempts, even failures—e.g., “Great idea, tweak the weight next time.
Simulate Pressure: Possession practices mimic match chaos, easing decision-making nerves.
Handle Failure: After a misplaced pass, a quick backward reset rebuilds rhythm—think De Bruyne’s calm after a miss.
Encourage Creativity: Let players try chips or through balls in safe scrimmages—they’ll grow bolder.
TIP: Young players need encouragement over critique; seniors thrive on pressure-based practices to sharpen their instincts.
Use Opposition Analysis to look for Trends
Exploit defensive flaws with forward passes:
High Defensive Lines: Quick vertical balls in behind—spot player’s hips when they are squared up, this is a signal for slower turns. A team can exploit this with forward passing and running.
Slow Center-Backs: Through balls expose pace gaps. Passing balls into the space down the sides of central defenders challenges them physically to turn quickly, sprint and go back toward their goal. Use breakout practices with a high line to train this high-line setup.
Compact Midfields: Diagonal switches will stretch them out. Each player who receives the ball during a switch of play should be looking for slow reactions from opponent midfielders. If they don’t move across the field quick enough a forward pass can be used to break the defensive line.
Role of Different Positions to Utlise Forward Passing
Defenders: Long diagonal passes switch play—crucial in a 3-5-2 where center-backs start attacks. Wing-backs can use forward passes from deep into the half-spaces.
Midfielders: Short, line-breaking passes link play—in a 4-2-3-1, the double pivot sets the tone, constantly looking to break lines of pressure with their range of passing.
Forwards: Runs trigger forward passes—e.g., a No. 9 drops to lay off for a midfielder in a 4-3-3. This triggers the wingers to roll in from a wide area to receive a through ball.
PRO TIP: Use video coding to tag opponent tendencies—e.g., CBs step up late signals a forward-pass trigger.
Thought Provoking Questions
When should you risk a forward pass vs. keep possession? Down 1-0 late, go for it; up 1-0, maybe not.
How can you create space for a forward pass? Drift wide or check back.
What cues show an opponent’s weakness in a forward pass? Square hips or a gap.
How does body position affect your pass? Closed hips kill vision.
How does communication boost forward passes? A shout can time the run.
THINK: How can you reward forward-thinking in training?
Final Thoughts:
Forward passing is a mindset—courage meets craft. Every great goal, from Messi’s slaloms to Haarland’s sprints in behind, it all starts with a bold forward pass.
Coaches, instill confidence to try it, but reinforce the when and how. Players must think ahead, move with purpose, and own the pitch.
In the next session, set some forward passing targets for your players. Mastery takes time, but the payoff? A squad that attacks with intent and leaves opponents reeling. The ball’s in your court—pass it forward.
The difference between a good player and a great player is decision-making. When to pass, when to dribble, when to shoot—it’s all about making the right choice at the right moment. - Johan Cruyff
Forward Passing | Full Practice
3v1 | Forward Passing | Possession Game
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Maintain possession and spot the correct time to pass forward.
Set-Up:
Set up a 25 by 25 square broken up into quarters. Offset 4 mini goals about 3 yards from the main playing area.
👕 Teams: ⚫️s Attacking and Defending, 🔴s Attacking and Defending
How to Play:
Connect 3 x passes in a quarter against 1 opponent defender then transfer the ball ⚽️ to your team in the opposite quarter.
Each time the ball is transferred between quarters a goal is scored for the possession team. A different defender must enter the quarter each time the ball is transferred.
When the defending team wins the ball they must transfer it back to their quarter or score in the mini goal 🥅.
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: Each transfer of the ball ⚽️ is a goal.
👨🏫 Review: When to speed up the attack and when to slow it down.
🚫 Restriction: An attempt to transfer must happen within 5 passes.
2v2 | Using Forward Passing to Combine and Score
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Exploiting space using fast breaks, forward passes and forward runs.
Set-Up:
On a 25 by 25 pitch, quarter the pitch and offset a pair of mini-goals at each end of the field.
Players are positioned on either side of a mini goal facing the opposite end of the pitch.
👕 Teams: Both teams ⚫️s & 🔴s are attacking and defending they follow a set sequence - they attack the goal in the lane they are in and defend the goal in the opposite lane of the pitch.
How to Play:
Sequence: Attack | Defend | Leave Pitch.
⚫️s attack the goal they are facing, they must be beyond the halfway line before they can score.
As soon as the ⚫️s have shot the 🔴s can attack the goal they are facing in the other lane.
Players cannot enter the orange-shaded zone to block shots or defend. If the defending team win the ball they can score in the mini goal behind the attacking team.
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: 1st time finishes as double goals.
👨🏫 Review: When to pass into feet and when to pass into space. Timing runs to exploit space.
🚫 Restriction: Time limit to shoot or ball ⚽️ is turned over to the other team.
3v2 | BreakOut to Score | Forward Passing
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Spot the correct time to play through pressure and offer support underneath the ball.
Set-Up:
On a 25 by 25 pitch place a pair of mini-goals at each end. At one end of the pitch add a 3-yard zone (orange) for a support player (⚫️).
Place a pair of attackers ⚫️s at one end and pairs of defenders 🔴s at the other. Have a waiting support player (⚫️) at the same end as defenders 🔴.
👕 Teams: ⚫️ Attacking Team, 🔴 Defending Team
How to Play:
⚫️s must play into their support player in the orange zone to release them into the practice.
Once this supporting player (⚫️) receives the ball they must play back into the main playing area. This unlocks the mini goals for the ⚫️s to score in.
If the 🔴s win the ball they can score in any mini-goal behind the attacking team.
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: If the attacking team scores off 1 touch it is worth double.
👨🏫 Review: Decision to pass forward or secure the ball ⚽️.
🚫 Restriction: The support player is fixed into the orange zone.
The best players have the best vision. They see things before they happen. They know where the space is, where their teammates are, and where the ball needs to go. - Xavi
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