The Escape Hatch: Why Passing Backward Wins Games

Imagine you are driving a car. You turn down a street. At the end of the street, you see a giant brick wall.

Do you press the gas and crash into the wall?

Of course not. You stop. You back up. Then you look for a different street to drive down.

In soccer, many players try to crash through the wall.

They get the ball and run forward. Suddenly, two defenders stand in front of them. There is no space to run. There is no space to pass forward.

But instead of stopping, the player tries to dribble through the defenders anyway. They lose the ball. Every single time.

There is a better way. It is called the Escape Hatch.

The Escape Hatch is the teammate standing behind you. Passing the ball to them is the best way to keep the ball and find a new path to the goal.

Why Backward is Actually Forward

When you are young, you are told to score goals. To score, you must go forward. Because of this, passing the ball backward feels wrong. It feels like you are giving up.

But passing backward is actually a trick.

When you pass the ball backward, the defenders get confused. They have been running backward to protect their goal. Now, they have to stop. They have to run forward to chase the ball.

When defenders run forward, they leave their spots. They leave empty spaces behind them.

Your team can now pass the ball into those empty spaces. By passing backward first, you actually make it easier to go forward.

Best of all, you keep the ball. If your team has the ball, the other team cannot score.

How to Use the Escape Hatch

Using the Escape Hatch takes practice. It is not about fancy skills. It is about making a smart choice.

Here is how to do it:

• Know your helper: Before you even get the ball, look behind you. Who is there? It might be a defender or a midfielder on your team. This is your helper.
• Protect the ball: If a defender rushes at you, put your body between them and the ball. Use your back to shield the ball.
• Turn your hips: Do not try to kick the ball backward with the heel of your foot. That is too risky. Instead, turn your body slightly.
• Use the inside of your foot: Pass the ball to your helper with a clean, simple pass. Use the inside of your foot for accuracy.
• Run to a new space: Do not just stand there after you pass. Move to a new spot where your helper can pass the ball back to you.

When to Use the Escape Hatch

How do you know when it is time to use the Escape Hatch? Look for these four signs:

• You have two or more defenders in front of you.
• You are stuck near the sideline and have run out of grass.
• Your back is facing the opponent's goal and you cannot turn around.
• You hear a teammate behind you yell "Drop!" or "Back!"

The next time you play, try to use the Escape Hatch at least three times.

You will notice that you lose the ball much less. You will also notice that your team has much more time to think and play.

Stop crashing into the brick wall. Use the Escape Hatch, find a new road, and keep the game moving.