Making a long pass or also known as a driven pass is imperative in modern football for teams to cover as much ground in the shortest time possible.
It is different from the short pass as it is designed for the receiving player to have wider room for attack or more room for defence - playing into space. Direct football as it is coined is where a team plays long passes to their forwards, typically a bulky target man good on his feet who can hold up play or create goal scoring opportunities.
Similar to a short pass, you need to have a mental checklist as you receive a long pass. Be aware of your body position, how close the ball is to your body, how close the player you want to pass to is and the situation of the receiving player.
Objectives of long passing
Long passes are typically used to switch up play such as making a quick counter-attacking break, changing from a crowded left flank to an open right or directly playing straight down the middle as seen in some soccer formations.
Ideally, you want to avoid having the ball to bounce before it reaches your teammate. A bouncing ball is harder to control and will cause greater opportunity to lose possession of the ball.
Remember these tips to execute a driven pass with speed and precision.