Here is an interesting article:
Coaching Corner: Angle Passing By Jeff Tipping, NSCAA Director of Coaching Education
One of the classic features of Brazilian soccer is angle passing. Watching many Brazilian teams play resembles zigzag soccer. One of the passes that we discourage is a straight pass to a straight run vertically down the field. If a central midfield player is checking straight to the ball, which is being passed by a central defender straight down the middle of the field, the midfield player has no idea where the defender is and frequently only has one passing option - which is to pass the ball back to the defender. If on the other hand, the ball is passed at an angle from the fullback to the midfield player, a number of important technical and tactical options are available to both players.
Soccer has been called a sideways on sport and that image is exemplified in Brazilian soccer. When players receive the ball on an angle pass, they are already halfway turned hence are able to see the opponent as well as the ball. Being half way turned also enables the player receiving the ball to either play a double pass with a deep support player, a one-two pass with a player in advance of the ball or a receive the ball and face up against the defender and to dribble and beat the defender.
Being at an angle to the ball also enables the midfield player to read the distance to the defender. If the defender is too tight the pass can be made behind the defender. If the defender is too loose, the ball can be passed to feet.
A great exercise for teaching angle passes and receiving the ball sideways on is a vertical zone exercise. In this 6v6 game the field is divided into three vertical zones with two players from each team in each zone. There is a goal at the end of each zone and each player is restricted to his/her zone. When passing the ball forward, a player cannot pass the ball straight ahead in his/her own zone. When the ball goes forward it must be passed into a different zone, however the ball may be passed straight back in the same zone. Players are allowed to move anywhere inside their own zone and this kind of passing movement sets up a series of zigzag passing, which is the preferred kind of passing in Brazil.
Straight Pass 
Angle Pass 
Pass Behind 
3 comments:
Excellent article. Always good advice to open up to the field when receiving a pass and to make sure that either the run or pass is diagonal - diagonal runs onto straight balls can be very effective at penetrating close-marking defenses.
45 degrees (that would be a cool team name too!)
gary - isn't that something like a boy band name? not cool.
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