Reversed Passes

By Sean Pearson

Area Size: 2/3 of Field

Teams: 8 v 8

Time: 20-25 Minutes

• To draw opposition players out of position with our body shape
• To be aware of our surroundings of when to accomplish a reverse pass

What is a ‘reverse’ pass? A reverse pass is when a player is going/facing one direction and the pass the opposite direction.

What is the purpose of a reverse pass? To draw players out of position through your body shape and body language. This helps other players have more space and creates opportunities to move the ball forward.

The reverse pass is the technical part of the objective, the other part is the awareness to execute it. Players need to use their peripheral vision in order to realize when it can and should be used. The reason players need to use their peripheral vision is because you are supposed to ‘sell’ a different pass to the opposition through your body language and where you are looking. The player who you are passing to also needs to see this and communication is key between the two players.

The black team are set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation (without FB’s) whenever the wide midfielder’s receive the ball instruct them to run with the ball down the wing. This should draw the opposition FB and near side CB for support. You should first tell your WM to aim to beat the FB so they think this will happen every time. This helps with the reverse pass. After a number of attempts to beat the FB, the WM should look to fake going down the line, keeping their body facing forwards as well as their head. A call should be made by this player of the player’s name they are passing to, this is so the receiving player knows they are about to receive the ball. The WM then cuts the ball back with the inside of the foot, while still facing forwards. This should now have drawn two players out of position for the attacking team to manipulate.

If there is a gap between the CB’s a through ball pass can be used.

Next, change the positions to include 2 FBs instead of CBs. Have the WM drive inwards, dragging both the opposition FB and CB towards the goal away from the wing. The player on the ball faces towards the goal the whole time, but sees the space open up on the wing, just as the FB is overlapping and about to break the offside line the WM plays a reverse pass with the inside of the right foot into the space for the FB to run on to. The FB plays a quick cross on the ground beyond the defense and in front of the GK for the striker or opposite WM.