The Feel of the Killer Pass
- aaronptighe
- Jan 4
- 2 min read
The feel of the killer pass is an art form to action, and a wonderful moment in a game, when, in that instant, the crowd and players let out a collective “oohhhhh” sound.
Watching Arsenal's game v Bournemouth, saw two such moments from the outstanding Odegaard. What a beautiful player to watch. He just flows in movement, balance, touch, and balance.
1st example, 35 seconds in. A 1st person view:
Gyokeres is fighting off the defender behind him to get control of the ball, edge of the box, centre. If he can get it down quickly, he's in to shoot, with just the goalkeeper in front. Let's keep moving forward and stay behind in touch, 15 yards, in case he needs support.
The central defender's got his foot in across Gyokeres and knocked the ball away. I'm arriving just inside the box, to the right of the goal. The defenders’ and Gyokuros' momentum has taken them forward beyond the penalty spot. The ball is rolling straight to me.
Quick choices needed: 1) shoot, right foot laces, 1st time, through the crowd, across the angle to the goal; 2) control, right foot to the right, and then shoot, but that will give them time close me; 3) control, right foot, across body, and change the direction to back across the goal for a shot.
Decision made – as the ball arrives, control across body with the inside of my right foot. Yes! I can see the defenders move their bodies in the direction to block the shot. Now dummy to shoot left foot, but don't shoot, as last second I see Declan Rice arriving late behind me to the edge of the box, centre; instead, as my left foot reaches the ball to shoot, stop! And flick the ball, outside of foot, with just enough pace into the path for Rice. The ball rolls 10 yards along the grass, and Rice, with brilliant technique, pass/shoots the ball into the bottom right corner. Goal!
Watch the artistry of this goal – the coolness of thinking, disguise, and then thought to open up the goal for Rice. Magic! A 2nd example is 133 seconds in, a superbly weighted pass behind a defender for Saka to run onto to create Arsenal's third goal.
Enjoy the skills!
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Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
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