THE ONE Pass rule

The one pass rule is a teaching methodology used in soccer programs to develop skills related to possession and passing. The basic idea behind this rule is that when a player receives the ball, they must pass it to a teammate before taking any further action. This rule encourages players to focus on maintaining possession of the ball and working together as a team.

To apply the one pass rule, the following guidelines are followed:

1. Initial Possession: When a team gains control of the ball, they must make at least one pass before attempting to score on the opponent's net.

2. Loss of Possession: If the ball is intercepted or possession is otherwise lost to the opposing team, the one pass rule resets. The team must again make at least one pass before attempting to score if they regain possession.

3. Deflected Passes: If the team in possession attempts a pass and the pass is deflected or an interception is attempted by the opposing team but the opposing team does not gain control of the ball, and the original team immediately regains possession, it is considered that no loss of control occurred. The attempted pass is still counted as completed, even though the ball was touched or deflected by the opposing team.

4. Maintaining Control: The one pass rule emphasizes maintaining or losing complete control of the ball. As long as the team maintains possession after a deflection or an interception attempt, they do not need to reset their pass count.

5. Shooting and Goalkeeper Saves: If a one pass is completed and the team then shoots on the net, and the goalkeeper makes a save but does not maintain control (e.g., the ball is deflected back to the team), the team can immediately shoot and score. However, if the team shoots, and the goalkeeper saves and puts the ball back into play to the opposing team, the opposing team must make at least one pass before attempting to score.

6. Referee Discretion: Sometimes, the interpretation of possession and control can be subjective. In these cases, it is up to the referee's discretion to determine whether the one pass rule has been correctly followed. The referee's decision will stand in such situations.

In summary, the one pass rule is designed to emphasize the importance of teamwork, communication, and maintaining possession in soccer. It requires teams to work together to keep control of the ball and make strategic passes before attempting to score. This rule helps players develop essential skills and understand the dynamics of effective team play.

 We wanted to take a moment to inform you about an adjustment we are making to the one pass rule for our U5/U6 soccer program.

As you may know, the one pass rule has been commonly used to encourage passing and team play among young players. However, after careful consideration and observation, we have decided that this rule is not appropriate for our U5/U6 age group. Many of these children are just beginning to play soccer, and we believe it is important to focus on their overall enjoyment and introduction to the game.

Instead of implementing the one pass rule, we have devised a modified approach that aims to foster passing and teamwork while still allowing for individual achievements. Here's how it will work:

A player may not take the ball from one end of the field to the other and score without a touch from another teammate or the opposing team. If a player obtains the ball in their own end and takes it all the way up the field without any interactions from another player on either team, the goal will not be counted. In this situation we will provide positive feedback by saying something like, "Good run, but you have to remember to pass the ball next time." This gentle reminder will help guide them toward the importance of teamwork and passing in soccer.
 

However, if the player obtains the ball in their opponent's half and scores without any other player interaction the goal will be counted.

This adjustment will encourage players to consider passing and teamwork while allowing for individual efforts to be recognized. We believe it strikes a balance between developing their skills and ensuring they have fun during the games.

In situations where a player scores without any interaction from teammates or opponents, we will provide positive feedback by saying something like, "Good run, but you have to remember to pass the ball next time." This gentle reminder will help guide them toward the importance of teamwork and passing in soccer.

We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter. Our primary goal is to create a positive and enjoyable experience for all the children participating in our program.