Different Passing Techniques in Football – A Pro Coach’s Guide to Mastering the Basics
Different Passing Techniques in Football – A Pro Coach’s Guide to Mastering the Basics
When people talk about great passers in football, they often focus on flair—the 40-yard diagonal ball or a clever reverse through pass. But as someone who spent 19 years playing professionally and now coaches with a UEFA Pro Licence, I can tell you that the real key to being a great passer is mastering the basics.
If you want to stand out on the pitch, understanding the different types of passes and when to use them is absolutely essential. The best midfielders and forwards are not just skilful—they’re smart. They pick the right pass at the right moment, and they do it consistently. Here are five core passing techniques every player should know and practise.
1. Inside of the Foot Pass
This is the most commonly used and arguably the most important pass in football. It’s reliable, accurate, and perfect for short to medium distances. You’ll see players use this to keep possession, recycle the ball, or find a teammate in space.
Young players often overlook it because it feels basic, but there’s a reason the best in the world—like Luka Modrić or Toni Kroos—still use it constantly. It allows you to be precise and consistent, and when you’re under pressure, it’s the pass you can rely on.
Key tip: lock your ankle, keep your foot firm, and follow through. Practise on both feet so you’re never one-dimensional.
2. Outside of the Foot Pass
This one adds a bit of disguise and style. It’s more difficult to master but can be very useful when you don’t have time to shift your body or want to swerve the ball around an opponent.
You’ll often see attacking midfielders or wingers using the outside of the foot in tight situations. Players like Luka Modrić and João Cancelo have made this pass look effortless—but it takes lots of repetition to get it right.
It’s particularly handy for last-minute through balls or switching play when under pressure.
3. Lofted Pass
Sometimes you need to go over, not through. A lofted pass lifts the ball over defenders to a teammate in space. It’s ideal for wide areas, switches of play, or even over the top for a striker making a run.
Timing and weight are everything. Too much height and you lose momentum. Too little, and it’s intercepted.
Practise this pass with a partner running onto the ball from deep or wide areas. It helps you judge the flight, power, and angle.
4. Curled Pass
This is one of the most effective types of passes when used correctly. A curled pass lets you bend the ball around defenders, often into space or onto a teammate’s run.
Think about a winger curling a ball into the box or a midfielder bending a pass down the side of the defence. It’s a brilliant way to unlock tight games.
The key is body shape—open your hips, strike the ball with the inside of your foot slightly off-centre, and follow through across your body.
5. Driven Pass
When you need to break lines quickly, the driven pass is your weapon. It’s low, fast, and direct—perfect for getting the ball from one side of the pitch to the other or feeding a striker’s feet in tight areas.
Driven passes demand good technique. Keep your head over the ball, strike through the middle, and use your laces. Accuracy is as important as power.
It’s also vital that your teammates are ready for it—it’s not a pass you play without warning. Use communication and timing to make it effective.
Being a great passer is not about flashy tricks—it’s about understanding what pass the game needs and executing it with consistency. These five techniques are used at every level, from academy players to professionals.
If you want to develop into a complete player, practise these regularly. Challenge yourself to use your weaker foot. Try them in training games under pressure.
Passing might not always make the headlines—but when done well, it’s what controls the game.