It's a common sight in grassroots football: a young player gets the ball, head goes down, and they try to force a pass or dribble forwards, often straight into a crowd of opposition players. While the intent is positive, it highlights a one-dimensional view of the game.
Why Do Young Players Only Pass Forward?
Young players instinctively pass forwards because it's the most direct route to the goal. From their very first kick, the game is framed as 'get the ball in the other team's net'. This creates a strong directional bias. Sideline shouts of "Get it forward!" or "Shoot!" reinforce this instinct. For a U7 or U8 player in a 5v5 game, the logic is simple: the goal is that way, so the ball must go that way. They haven't yet developed the game understanding to see the value in a pass that moves away from the opposition's goal.
Why is Passing Sideways or Backwards Important?
It's crucial for keeping possession of the football. A simple pass backwards can relieve pressure, reset an attack, and allow the team to switch the play to a less congested area of the pitch. Instead of losing the ball by forcing a risky forward pass, a sideways or backwards pass allows the team to stay in control. This patient approach can pull opposition players out of position, creating new spaces to attack moments later. It teaches players to solve problems with their brain, not just their boots.
What Parents Can Do
Your role is to encourage thinking, not to coach from the sideline. During a match, resist the urge to shout instructions. Afterwards, in a relaxed setting, you can use questions to help them reflect.
- Praise the decision, not the direction: If they make a smart pass to keep the ball, praise it. "I thought it was really clever when you were surrounded by their players and you passed back to your defender so we could keep the ball."
- Ask curious questions: "It looked really crowded in front of you on that play. Did you see any other space?" This is not to criticise, but to prompt them to recall the picture in their head.
- Watch football together: Point out when professional players pass backwards or sideways to escape pressure. Say, "See? Even the best players in the world pass back to keep the ball."
What Coaches Can Do
For coaches of U7-U10 players, the aim is to create game-like scenarios where passing backwards and sideways becomes a natural solution.
- Use Possession Games: Small-sided games like 3v1 or 4v2 'rondos' (keep-away) are perfect. The objective is simply to keep the ball, so players quickly learn to use the teammate in the easiest position, regardless of direction.
- Add Conditions to Games: In a small match, award points for a certain number of consecutive passes (e.g., 5 passes = 1 goal). This shifts the focus from just scoring to valuing possession.
- Coach the 'Why': When a player makes a good decision to pass backwards, pause the session and briefly praise it. "Great idea, Jack. You saw the way forward was blocked, so you kept the ball for us. Now, can we switch the play?" This reinforces the learning for the whole group.
When is it Okay to Pass Backwards?
It is always okay to pass backwards if it's the best decision for the team to keep the ball. There are no rules against it, and it's a fundamental part of how football is played at every level. A player should consider a backwards or sideways pass when:
- They are under immediate pressure from an opponent.
- The path forward is blocked by multiple defenders.
- They want to draw an opponent towards them to create space for others.
- The team wants to switch the attack to the other side of the pitch.
