Through Balls and the Offside Rule in 7v7 Youth Soccer
What Is a Through Ball in Youth Soccer?
Learn how to use through balls and perfect timing to beat offsides and score more goals in 7v7 soccer.
Key Takeaways
- Breaking Lines – Through balls create scoring chances by sending the ball into open space behind defenders.
- Watch the Last Defender – Understand offsides in 7v7: you must stay behind the last defender until the ball is kicked.
- Time Your Run - Adjust your speed or angle so you stay onside and still get to the ball.
Full Transcript
Hey soccer stars, want to hear about a sneaky awesome way to score goals? Let's talk about through balls.
A through ball is when your teammate kicks the ball into open space behind the defenders so you can run onto it. Boom. That's a through ball. It's like an invitation to go, go, go!
But wait. In 7v7, there's an offsides rule between the buildout line and the goal you are attacking. If you're past that line and closer to the goal than the last defender when the ball is passed, you're offside. Oops—you went too soon.
But if you wait until your teammate kicks it, then run past, you're good.
Because timing is important in this play, you may need to slow down or change the direction of your run before the ball is kicked in order to stay onside. Master the through ball. Time your run and you'll be scoring in style.