Getting the Simple Things Right

The Inside of the Foot Pass

A well weighted and accurate pass makes our work on the field simple, and it makes our receiving teammates look good. The inside of the foot pass is the most widely used pass in soccer. From the gentlest of taps to a teammate close by, to a blistering pass designed to assist the switch of play across the field, this pass is useful, accurate and powerful. While it's primarily used for short passes, goals are scored, and free kicks are made with this pass. So are you executing the inside foot pass correctly, or do your passes go off course, are incorrectly weighted or have no power? Getting the simplest thing like the inside of the foot pass right, can vastly improve your soccer game.

The Technique

Stride to the ball. The foot that will not be striking the ball - the supporting foot - is planted alongside the ball (15-20cm or a little less than the ball's width) with the toe pointing in the direction of the target. If your toe is pointing at the target, then your body and hips should be also be facing the target. The knee of this supporting foot should be bent slightly for balance, and your eyes should be on the ball. Hold your arms out away from your body also for balance.

With a short backswing, bring your kicking leg forward. Turn your kicking foot outward and lock your ankle so it's positioned at a 90 degree angle. The toes of the kicking foot should point slightly upward. Your foot remains in this square position throughout the kick. With your head down and eyes locked on the ball, strike the middle of the ball with the back half of your foot. At the moment the ball is kicked lean forward over it, and follow through with your kicking leg in the direction of the target. The follow through is very important for accuracy and power.

Troubleshooting

• Supporting foot not pointed at the target - ball goes right or left of the target
• Foot not turned out 90 degrees through the kick - ball goes left of the target
• Foot strikes the ball too low - ball will pop up in the air
  
• Leaning back - ball may pop up in the air. It will also lack power and accuracy
• No follow through - ball lacks power and accuracy.
  
• Striking the ball too far forward on the foot - ball lacks accuracy and power.
• Ankle not locked - ball lacks power and accuracy may suffer.
• Eyes not on the ball - ball lacks accuracy.

Practice

Practice all your passes against a wall. You can't get too much practice ever.

To check if your ankle is locked, hold your ankle in the position where it will be kicking the ball, and ask a teammate to try and move your foot. If they can move it, it's not locked!

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