Understanding the Back Pass in Football and Its Impact on the Game

During the rich football history, there were numerous rules introduced. These have caused major transitions and disputes. Think about VAR, or goal-line technology, and their influence on the beautiful game.

Another rule that people often take for granted is the back pass rule. It may seem like it was here forever, but it is not true. 

In this article, we will talk about the history of the back pass rule, its effect on the game and the long-term consequences it brought.

The Back Pass Rule Explained

A back pass in football is a scenario when the goalkeeper picks up the ball in their penalty box using their hands after a teammate passes it back to them. This is a forbidden situation, and if it occurs, the referee will blow the whistle and award an indirect free kick to the opposition team.

Nonetheless, there is more to this rule than just the simple explanation above. This back pass rule doesn’t apply if the player makes a pass using their head or chest.

Another important situation to note is that the back pass rule doesn’t apply if there is a deflection on the shot and the pass turns out to be unintentional.

Even if the player makes a mess out of a clearance and the ball somehow ends up in the goalkeeper’s area, if they grab it with their hands, there won’t be an indirect foul, and the referee will signal play on.

The Origins and Reasons Behind the Back Pass Rule

The reasoning behind the creation of the back pass rule is very simple – it was brought forward to favour attacking players and to get rid of the seemingly unfair advantage of defending teams.

Time-wasting was another problem, and it all seemed to become obvious during the 1990 World Cup. When one team took the lead, they would often rely on time-wasting by making backward passes to the goalkeeper, who would then hold onto the ball for a long time.

Here is one example that showcases the severity of the situation back then. We stumbled across data that shows that the 1990 World Cup’s goals-per-game ratio was 2.2 – an all-time low. One of the games in the tournament grabbed everyone’s attention – Ireland vs Egypt, where the Irish goalie Packie Bonner held onto the ball for about six minutes throughout the game.

The 1992 World Cup was no different, with Denmark being the team to extensively exploit this rule on their route to winning the trophy at the end. Denmark used this strategy in the final against Germany, and the governing bodies were forced to quickly change the rule.

After ongoing discussions, the “Back Pass Rule” was introduced and the first games being played with it were the 1992 Summer Olympics.

As one would expect, the first games with the rule were nothing short of dramatic and confusing – especially for players. In the very first game, the US scored an indirect free kick as the Italians fell foul of making a back pass to the goalkeeper.

Fast-forward to 1997, the back pass rule was further extended to prevent goalkeepers from handling the ball from a throw-in by a teammate.

The Impact of the Back Pass Rule

There seems to be a unanimous agreement among football experts and fans that the back-pass rule is one of the most successful rule changes in the history of the game. Not only does it prevent dull play, but it also requires goalkeepers to be better and more efficient with the ball at their feet.

This rule has arguably been the stepping stone for the emergence of sweeper keepers. Nowadays, we witness an array of technically gifted goalkeepers – Alisson, Ederson, and Manuel Neuer being prime examples of this. More than three decades on from the introduction of the back pass rule, we are still nurturing its benefits.

Right after its introduction, teams who played possession-based football suddenly turned into favourites in every major tournament, and it continues to be the case to this day. Bookmakers’ odds changed drastically in favour of teams who valued possession, which can even be felt nowadays.

Players have also tried to manipulate the rule but with little success. Circumnavigating the rule is deemed illegal, so the players cannot, for example, flick the ball to their head and then pass it back to the keeper.

They also cannot head the ball in a manner that would be suitable for playing on the foot (there were cases of players lying down on the grass and passing it to the keeper with their head, for which, an indirect free kick was awarded).

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Goalkeepers Adaptation Process

The past three decades changed a lot in how goalkeepers and coaches approached the game of football. There are special drills and training methods that are used on young goalkeepers, which can make them improve their actions when a player passes the ball back to them:

• Ball control: Young goalkeepers now extensively practice first touches with both feet. They work on quick and controlled dribbles in tight spaces, which was unprecedented before the back pass rule was introduced. To boost confidence, keepers are regularly included in passing drills with other players, which can improve their confidence and ball distribution.
• Decision-making: Goalkeepers now need to have sharp minds and learn how to scan the field before receiving the ball and know how they will distribute it. Through this, they develop quick decision-making and try to avoid falling victim to the pressure from opposition attackers. Communication is also a vital skill that goalkeepers need to learn.
• Distribution techniques: Different training drills will help players with their distribution techniques. They will practice different ways to clear the ball – short passes, long kicks, etc. Some of them will even use the chipping technique and go around an attacker, but not everyone is comfortable with such actions.

One of the Best Rule Changes in Football History

Not every rule that gets introduced in football is universally accepted. Controversies are everywhere with VAR in recent years, and while some like its implementation, others say that it has completely destroyed the soul of football.

However, there are certain rule changes that are completely the opposite. Goal-line technology is one that comes to mind, but we can confidently say that the back-pass rule has drastically improved this sport.

Right after its introduction, teams could no longer pass it to the keeper and waste time. More football means better players and faster gameplay, which surely turned the sport into the spectacle it is today.

So, when we appreciate what football looks like today, we cannot forget the evolution and rule changes that brought it to this level. The back-pass rule is surely up there.