What is a give-and-go in soccer?
A give-and-go in soccer is a pass to a teammate, a quick run past your defender, and a pass straight back to you in the space behind them. It is also called a one-two or a wall pass, because the teammate returns the ball like a wall.
Other names: one-two, wall pass.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Give-and-Go: diagram
How to do a give-and-go
- Pass firmly to a teammate who is close and facing you.
- Run the moment the ball leaves your foot. Go past the defender on the side away from them.
- The teammate, the wall, returns the ball with one touch into the space ahead of you.
- Take your next touch forward, away from the defender you just passed.
Common mistakes
- Passing and then standing still to watch. The run is half of the move.
- Playing the return when a defender has moved into that route. Check first, and keep the ball if it is blocked.
- Standing too far apart, so the pass back is slow and easy to read.
In 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and futsal
It works in every size of game. Our 7v7 and futsal lessons both teach it as a wall pass, and on a small futsal court it is one of the main ways to get past a defender.
Questions about the give-and-go
Is a give-and-go the same as a one-two?
Yes. Give-and-go, one-two and wall pass are three names for the same move: pass, run, get it back.
When should you use a give-and-go?
When a defender is close to you and a teammate is free just beyond them. The defender watches the ball, and you run behind.
What if the return pass is blocked?
The wall player keeps the ball or finds someone else. Our lesson teaches you to check whether the return is still open.
Lessons that teach it
- A Wall Pass, or Keep It (7v7 lesson)Use a teammate to go around pressure, but check whether the return is still open.
- A Return Pass Is a Choice (9v9 lesson)Time a support run and use the return only when the defender leaves its lane open.
- Wall Pass or Keep It (Futsal lesson)Read the defender before choosing a return pass.
Related soccer terms
- Third-Man RunA run by a third player who receives after two teammates pass between themselves. It reaches a player the first passer could not find directly.
- OverlapA run around the outside of the teammate who has the ball, to make two attackers against one defender on the side of the field.
- 2v1Two attackers against one defender. The player with the ball dribbles at the defender, then passes if the defender comes or keeps going if they do not.
- Through BallA pass played between or behind the defenders into space, for a teammate to run on to.
- All soccer terms, A to Z92 soccer words in plain English, from advantage to yellow card, 18 with a diagram
- Soccer rules for kids16 rules explained for kids, each with a diagram: offside, handball, throw-ins and more
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.