01 Oct The 1-2 Pass or Wall Pass

October Coaching Newsletter – 2016

The 1-2 Pass or Wall Pass

This pass is also called the wall pass because the ball is ‘bounced’ off a supporting player back to the server. The 1-2 pass is a quick exchange of passes, at high speed, between 2 attacking players. It is an extremely good alternative to penetrate and get past an opponent. This pass is one of the most effective passes that can be used on the playing field in order to release pressure in defence or to penetrate the opponent’s defence. The pass can be made with any part of the body but the inside of the foot or the outside of the instep is most commonly used.

The part used with the inside of the foot pass is the large flat area on the inside of the foot. The advantage of using the inside of the foot is that it is easy to learn and with the large surface area it guarantees control and accuracy in passing. The outside of the instep is the surface area that stretches from the small toes to the outside of the ankle joint. With these techniques the ankle joint is locked and hard when executing the element. One great disadvantage with using the inside of the foot is that the defending player is able to ‘read’ the attacking player’s intentions and as a result can intercept the pass. With the use of the outside of the instep the attacking players are able to ‘disguise’ their movements and maintain their stride.

The 1-2 movement is executed with the player slowing his or her movement to deceive the defender into thinking he or she is going to stop or move in another direction. At the moment the pass is made to the supporting player the attacking player moves into a sprint behind the defender to receive the return 1-2 pass and penetrate the defence. The role of the supporting player is particularly important because once the pass is made a mistake could result in a counter attack as the player that played the ball is out of position and on the wrong side of the defender.

As a result the supporting player must be positioned to screen the ball from his or her opponent and move to the ball with the body between the ball and defender. It is best for the supporting player to return the pass with the nearest foot to the ball, the foot furthest away from the opponent. This attacking position will make to it much harder for the defending player to gain possession.

Common Faults – Corrections

1. After executing the pass the player does not go into a sprint.
2. The ball is delivered too slowly to the supporting player.
3. The supporting player does not disguise his or her run or movement before the ball arrives.
4. The supporting player does not have his or her body between the ball and the defender.
5. The attacking player with the ball does not slow and disguise his or her movements and looks in the direction of the intended pass.