7v7 lesson · Connect around pressure · Beginner
A Wall Pass, or Keep It
Use a teammate to go around pressure, but check whether the return is still open.
What the coach says
- The defender blocks your way forward. Your teammate is free to the left.
- A short pass can give you time to run around the defender.
- Pass to your teammate first. Start the run after the ball leaves your foot.
- Curve your run around the defender. Give your teammate a clear return pass.
- The return is open. A gentle pass meets the runner.
- Give the ball back and look again. The defender has read the return pass.
- The defender steps into that return lane. The left teammate has room ahead.
- You can change the plan. A wall pass is an option, not a promise.
- Keep the ball and move forward. You spotted that the original pass was no longer on.
Quiz questions
Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.
Question 1
How could you get around this defender?
Coach’s explanation: Your teammate is free, so you can use a pass and a run around the defender.
Question 2
What should the player on the ball do now?
Coach’s explanation: The defender covers the return. The player on the ball can move into open space instead.
Question 3
Put the wall pass in order, from first to last.
Coach’s explanation: Pass first, run around, then your teammate passes it back to you.
Question 4
You passed to the left. Tap where you run next.
Coach’s explanation: Curving around the defender gives your teammate a clear pass back to you.
Question 5
True or false? The pass back to the runner is open now.
Coach’s explanation: It's false. The defender is in the way, so keep the ball.