Inside-of-the-Foot Pass
The most reliable short pass in football, played with the inside surface of the foot for accuracy over a short to medium distance.
Overview
The inside-of-the-foot pass, or push pass, is the bread-and-butter passing technique in football because the large flat surface gives excellent accuracy. The player plants the standing foot beside the ball and strikes through its centre with the inside of the passing foot.
A firm ankle and a smooth follow-through toward the target keep the pass accurate and at the right weight.
How to do it
- 1Approach the ball and plant your standing foot beside it, toes toward the target.
- 2Turn your passing foot outward with the ankle locked.
- 3Swing the passing leg and contact the middle of the ball with the inside of the foot.
- 4Keep the foot firm through contact.
- 5Follow through toward your target to control the weight of the pass.
Key points
- Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball, pointing at the target.
- Lock the ankle so the foot stays firm at contact.
- Strike through the middle of the ball and follow through toward the target.
Where it’s used
Sports that use inside-of-the-foot pass:
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Playing surfaces
- Artificial turfSynthetic grass, often filled with sand or rubber, that gives a firm, even, all-weather surface. It plays faster and truer than worn natural grass.
- GrassNatural turf grown on soil — the traditional surface for many field sports and, in tennis, a fast court with a low, skiddy bounce.
- WaterThe medium for aquatic sport — pool or open water that supports the body with buoyancy and resists movement with drag rather than giving footing.
- Hard courtA rigid acrylic, concrete or asphalt court that gives a true, consistent, medium-paced bounce — the standard multi-use outdoor surface.
- SnowCompacted or natural snow on slopes and trails — a low-friction surface built for gliding, where skis, boards and runners slide fast over frozen ground.
Movement patterns
- KickA ballistic single-support leg swing that whips force from the plant foot through the hip and knee to strike or propel a ball or target with the foot, distinct from the weight-bearing steps of locomotion.
- SlideA slide is a controlled, low-friction skid of the body or foot along a surface, used to brake, extend reach, or hold a line, where managed friction and a lowered centre of gravity govern the movement.
- GlideGlide is continuous, low-resistance locomotion in which the body holds a streamlined shape so that momentum generated by a preceding propulsive action carries it smoothly across a surface or through a medium.
Skills
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
- SprintingThe skill of running or riding at maximum controlled speed over a short distance.
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- ShootingThe skill of striking or releasing the ball toward the goal or basket to score.
- TacklingThe skill of legally challenging an opponent to win the ball or stop their progress.
Tactics
- Possession playA patient football style that keeps the ball through short passing to control the game and tire opponents.
- Offside trapA defensive football tactic where the back line steps up together to leave an attacker offside.
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
Equipment
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Shin guardsProtective pads worn over the shins in football and other field sports.
- Football boots (cleats)Studded footwear that grips the pitch for football and other field sports.
- Swim finsFoot blades that increase propulsion when swimming, snorkelling or diving.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Technique
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-09
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