The One Two Pass

The One Two pass is also referred to as the “Wall Pass” or “Give and Go” pass. This is because the passing player plays an initial short pass to a team mate (pass one) and then receives a very quick pass into space back from the same team mate (pass two.) It can also be described as giving the ball (give) to team mate then going into space (go) to receive the ball back. Or another good way of describing it is that the first player is almost using the second player as a wall in that he plays the ball against a wall and receives the rebound into space.

The One Two Pass can be used anywhere on the field, but seem to be most effective in and around the opposition’s penalty area. Watch Luis Suarez at Liverpool or David Silva at Manchester City for examples. Don’t forget though, probably the best one two pass combinations come from FC Barcelona with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta et al.

Here are the key points to the one two pass.

Angles….it’s all about angles! Remember to create typically a 45 degree angled pass into the player receiving the ball and aim to receive the ball into space at a 45 degree angle as well. Of course, that can’t always be achieved, but it is a good place to aim for. Practice this again with a real wall, play the ball in at 45 degrees and see where the ball rebounds to. That’s the picture you are trying to create in your head when visualizing a one two or wall pass.
The ball needs to be played in with pace or power to the receiver and ideally on the floor. The idea is to make is as easy as possible for the receiver to rebound the ball back to the original player in space at the desired angle. If the ball is not passed in hard enough, the player receiving it will have to come to the ball and therefore compress the space into which he will play the return ball. Play the ball into the player at a good enough pace that the player really has just to redirect it at the required angle into the desired space.
Play the ball with either a side foot pass or an outside of the foot pass. That will speed up the pass and make it more effective.
The receiving player needs to recognize where the ball needs to be played and in preparation the player needs to open up their body towards that space so as to make the returning pass easier to execute.
The player playing the first pass needs to immediately create the desired space into which the ball is rebounded and received. A common mistake here is for the player to play the initial ball in to the receiver and then the original player runs straight into the space, bringing a defender with them and compressing the space. The player also gets there too quickly and now it is very difficult for the receiver to play the rebound into the desired space because it is no longer there.
So, play the ball in at pace to the receiver, communicate where you want the rebound to be played (voice or point or eye contact) then delay a second allowing the ball to be played there and then sprint onto the ball. The original player wants to be receiving the return ball at top speed and not slowing down to receive it.

There are lots of things to think about with a one two pass and as always, the best way to improve is to find a wall and spend the hours practicing it. Then when you feel comfortable, grab a buddy and practice one twos until you can do them with your eyes shut!

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