Soccer Coaching - Push Pass

When coaching soccer, the push pass is typically the first type of pass you teach youth soccer players. This is because it's the easiest, controlled way to pass the ball. The push pass uses the inside of the foot and because of the big kicking surface, it is the easiest and most accurate way of kicking a soccer ball.

When coaching soccer players to do the push pass, instruct them to use the surface between their ankle and big toe joint. Make sure the player approaches the ball straight on and the non kicking foot is pointed at their target, and slightly behind the ball. The kicking foot should be pointed almost perpendicular to their plant foot with their toe up to lock the ankle. The player should attempt to strike the middle-top of the ball in order to give the ball a top spin which will keep the ball on the playing surface. It is very important that the player's kicking foot does not immediately step on the ground after passing the ball as this means they are off balance. The soccer players should use their arms for balance and place their kicking foot back under their body for balance (unless the player is running).

As a soccer coach, when teaching the push pass make sure players bend both knees and that they do not kick the ball stiff legged, and that the player does not swing their kicking leg across their body.


Here is a good drill I found to help coaches teach soccer passing skills.