The Basics: Pass and Move

Welcome to a new series that I have named 'The Basics' in which we're going to discuss the ins and outs of actually playing football. Not discussing what's going on in the world of football, but actual tutorials, tips and tricks for becoming a better footballer.

Why the basics? The basics cover a lot. Here's the thing, as a kid I knew the basics were important, but not as important as being the best footballer, the silkiest, the fastest, the strongest. It's hard to understand why the basics are so key to being a good footballer, particularly when most feel like they can, ultimately, do them quite well.

Well, there is more to the basics that being able to tackle someone, or make that 15 yard pass. They take place all over the field and you will be surprised how many people fail to do all of them, or any of them. Be the one who does them all and you'll be the one to watch.

Pass and move:
You will have heard this a thousand times but if you stop to think, do you really do it that often? Do you think in terms of where the second, third or fourth pass might go after you've passed the ball? Or do you pass and let your team mate deal with that? Or, more commonly, do you always look for the key pass? When that team mate making that defence splitting run needs a 40 yard pin-point pass to be executed in order for him to have any hope of scoring a goal - Do you play that pass and ever really land it on the money? I'm betting you miss more than you make. Do you hold the ball waiting for someone to make a run when you could pass the ball and make the run yourself'? These are all common symptoms of footballers that have a lot to improve upon.

You need to start thinking as a team and not an individual. It is true that this can become frustrating when team mates aren't on the same wavelength, but here is the skinny - players are always looking for that key pass, so it's your job to be that key pass. You can't guarantee you'll always get the ball but if you are in the right place, the right people will know you are, on and off the pitch - your stock will rise.

You can see where i'm heading with this now, movement is the all important thing. As you can see from the gif above. It may not be the best example of an actual pass and move but more the importance of just off the ball movement. Although, see how Hazard (who's starts with the ball) moves into the box after he passes the ball, this leave Fabregas (number 4) space on the edge of the area.

Next time you play, start exploiting space when you don't have the ball. If the you have the ball yourself try and experiment with different runs off the ball after you have offloaded it. Monitor how your opposition track those runs, if they follow you, try making the run and then dropping off a few times to find the space - if they don't, keep making those runs.

If you're thinking this only applies to attackers. It doesn't. Making space for your team mates is what means you keep possession. It doesn't mean leave your position and go hang around somewhere empty. There is plenty of space on the pitch, the more you move around it the easier you'll start to find those pockets of space, if your team mates are doing too suddenly you'll play like this (below).

So, that's what we've started with - Pass and move. Simple, just don't forget to do it. Remember that your movement can have a bigger effect than you realise and that you need to do it all over the pitch. Like everything, you need to be consistent with it. You'll likely need to improve your stamina and even your concentration but it will be worth it. Oh and here is a great example of a pass and move from Juan Mata. Just an excuse to post the gif.

Comment below any other tutorials you would like to see.