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Football Basics – Ground pass techniques

Posted by Leo

There are five basic techniques could be used to execute a ground pass. The following table summarises the advantages and disadvantages of different types of techniques:

Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
1. Inside of the foot – Push	Offers the best accuracy because of the large surface of the boo presented to the ball	Easy for defenders to predict Difficult to generate power so it is unsuitable for long passing Difficult to execute on the run because it is impossible to position correctly without interrupting the stride pattern
2. Instep (laces)	Easy to disguise intentions Possible to add power and pace to make it available both for long passing and shooting Can be made while running	It is a difficult technique to be executed
3. Outside of the foot – flick	To be made with the minimum of the foot movement and maximum of disguise	Only be used over short distances
4. Outside of the foot – swerve	To be used to bend the ball around an opponent Over long distance so it is a valuable shooting technique Be used when running Draw the ball away from the goalkeeper when crossed from a flank	The more swerve required, the more difficult it is to execute this technique
5. Inside of the foot – swerve	Bent around an opponent Be used over short and long distances The ball can easily be lifted a few inches over a defender’s outstretch legs Great deal of swerve can be imparted Draw the ball away from goalkeeper when crossed from the flank	Never go straight, always be spinning, possibly making control more difficult

The best footage I can think of to show the execution of the ground passes to create a goal is the second goal of Argentina vs. Serbia & Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup. Most of the passes involved were ground passes and some of the techniques they used are not covered in these 5 basic techniques (e.g. back heel pass).