Give-and-go
A two-player move where a player passes to a teammate and immediately runs into space to receive an instant return pass.
Definition
In a give-and-go, one player passes, or gives, the ball to a teammate and then sprints past a defender to collect the quick return. The second player acts as a wall, redirecting the ball first-time into the space the passer is running into.
The move appears across many sports under different names, including the wall pass or one-two in football and the give-and-go in basketball, ice hockey and lacrosse. Its strength is using a defender's momentary focus on the ball to slip a runner in behind them.
Where you’ll hear “give-and-go”
Sports that use this term:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Ice Hockey
A fast team sport on ice that combines skating skill with quick passing and goal-scoring.
Futsal
A fast, small-sided indoor form of football played on a hard court with a low-bounce ball.
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Decision making
- Reading spaceSeeing where space is — and is not — on the field or court, and using it to decide where to move, pass or play.
- Pass selectionChoosing which pass to play, and to whom, from the options a moment offers — weighing space, risk and what the team is trying to do.
- Positioning choicesDeciding where to place yourself — often before the ball arrives — to cover space, stay ready to act and shape what an opponent can do.
- Situational awarenessHolding an overall picture of what is happening around you — teammates, opponents, ball, space and the state of the game — and keeping it updated as play unfolds.
- Option recognitionSeeing what actions are actually available in a moment — the passes, shots or moves on offer — before choosing between them.
Positions
- Centre (netball)The centre is netball’s link between attack and defence, the only player allowed in every third except the two goal circles, and the player who takes the centre pass.
- StrikerA striker is the main attacking player in football, positioned furthest forward with the primary job of scoring goals.
- GoalkeeperThe goalkeeper is the last line of defence in football and the only player allowed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- Shooting guardThe shooting guard is a perimeter player whose main role is to score, especially from mid-range and beyond the three-point line.
- WingerA winger is an attacking player who operates in the wide areas of the pitch, using pace and dribbling to beat defenders and create chances.
Skills
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- MarkingThe defensive skill of staying close to an opponent to limit their space and options.
Sports communication
- Signalling availabilityShowing a teammate you are open and ready to receive — often through movement, body position or a gesture rather than a shout.
- Calling for the ballLetting a teammate know you are open and want the pass — usually a short, clear call made at the right moment.
- Coach-to-player feedbackHow a coach shares usable information with a player about what they did and what to try next — usually specific, well timed and focused on one thing at a time.
Techniques
- Chest PassA two-handed pass thrown directly from chest height in a straight line to a teammate, the most basic pass in basketball and netball.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Inside-of-the-Foot PassThe most reliable short pass in football, played with the inside surface of the foot for accuracy over a short to medium distance.
Tactics
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
- Pick and rollA two-player basketball action where one player screens for the ball-handler, then rolls to the basket.
- Zone defenceA defensive system where each player guards an area of the court rather than a specific opponent.
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Offside trapA defensive football tactic where the back line steps up together to leave an attacker offside.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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