The push pass is an essential skill used by all players for short and medium passing. Before it gets used, it is key to assess the game situation so you can determine how hard or soft you want to pass to be. Then plant your foot while keeping you ankle locked and heel down, and push the ball to a teammate smoothly and fluidly.

Accurate passes to team mates that are stationary as well as team mates on the move. The goal is to complete your passes in one or two touches. The push pass is used to move the ball between team mates that are five to twenty yards away or to shoot for accuracy from a short distance.

The push pass, however, still represents more than half the passes used in games, even at the highest levels. Because the ball is kicked with the inside of the foot, the foot must be turned at the ankle and the leg rotated at the hip so that the toes are pointed 90 degrees to the outside from the way the body is facing.

The inside of the foot or “push” pass and its corresponding receive (“trap”), represent the most basic pass and receive in soccer. (“Trapping” is generally no longer a term that is used because it implies bringing the ball to a dead stop instead of setting it up for the next move.)

The instep or push pass is a common pass used in soccer. To do a push pass, you use the inside of the foot (along the arch) to push the ball forward. As a result, the hip and leg/knee must rotate outwards to allow contact with the ball. Taking these elements in sequence, you will: