Smart Movements to Receive More Passes

High-level soccer players are consistently moving. You never see them just standing still, waiting for the ball. Instead, they’re constantly moving around and putting themselves in advantageous positions based on where the ball will most likely end up. 

One of the many benefits of moving around so much is that it makes it difficult for defenders to follow you and intercept passes. This is especially important for attacking players who need to make themselves open for passes. It’s your responsibility to throw off the defender and break free from their coverage at the right moment, and movement is the key to making this happen. 

Stay Behind the Defender as You Move Forward

Picture this: You’re a striker, and you want to make yourself open for a pass from your winger. The problem is, there’s a defender right between you. 

However, that defender isn’t just watching you. They’re also watching your winger on the outside and preparing for the eventual pass. 

If you keep moving up the field while staying behind your defender – also known as staying on their blindside –  you make it very difficult for them to keep an eye on you and your winger simultaneously. You’re behind them, so the defender has to keep looking over their shoulder to see where you are. 

Wait for the Defender to Ignore You 

Your winger has plenty of space, so you don’t need to make yourself available for the pass just yet. The key is to keep that defender guessing by moving up the field and staying behind them. 

As your winger gets closer to the attacking third, they’ll occupy more of the other team’s attention. That includes your defender. 

The right time to make yourself open for a pass is when that defender pays a little too much attention to your winger, turning their back to you. 

This is when a high-level player would charge towards the goal to receive the pass. Since the defender has their back to you, they’re not in an ideal position to run after you, so you’ll probably be at least a few steps ahead of them when you make your first touch.  

One Movement for Defenders, One for Yourself 

Another movement-related technique for making yourself open for a pass is the classic Double Movement.You make one movement to throw off the defender, and your second movement towards your intended destination. 

Let’s say your teammate has the ball, and you want to make yourself open for a pass. But there’s a defender marking you tightly. 

For your first movement, check to the ball, because this is the opposite of where you actually want to go. Once the defender commits to following you, reverse course and head up field for your second movement. 

The defender will end up a few steps behind you, giving your teammate the space to deliver a pass.  

Why The Double Movement is So Effective

What makes the Double Movement so effective is that it works whether the defender follows you or not. 

If you check to the ball again, the defender probably isn’t going to follow you, because of what happened last time.  

But that also means the defender is off your back, since they’ve stayed behind in anticipation of your run up the field. So, if the defender doesn’t follow you, you’ve still created space, and your teammate can still easily pass you the ball. 

The Double Movement is a win-win.