Table of Contents
- What is a hospital pass in soccer?
- Why do players make a hospital ball in soccer?
- Different types of hospital pass in soccer
- Tips to avoid making hospital passes in soccer
- Recap: The scourge of the hospital ball in soccer
You might have come across the term “hospital pass” (or hospital ball) in soccer, as it’s commonly used to refer to a specific type of pass in the beautiful game.
But what exactly is a hospital pass in soccer? Why is it bad? And how do you avoid it? Read on to find out why you need to avoid the dreaded hospital ball at all costs!
What is a hospital pass in soccer?
In soccer, a hospital pass is where a defender passes the ball dangerously back across their own goal area. As a result, their opponents have a good chance of dispossessing the team and scoring a goal directly from the pass.
Some players make hospital balls out of a lack of concentration or because they haven’t seen the danger of the opposing team ahead of them. Either way, it can be a costly mistake that often results in a goal against!
Why do players make a hospital ball in soccer?
In the vast majority of cases, a hospital ball results from a lapse in concentration from a player when they’re trying to pick out a teammate. Soccer is a team game, after all, and mistakes happen all the time.
Other times, soccer players fail to lift their head up and pay a pass blind, which can cause them to put their teammates in danger of losing the ball to their opponents.
Ultimately, playing a hospital pass across the field in soccer is something that many players do from time to time and it’s typically a result of a mistake or misjudgement that can lead to the concession of a goal.
Different types of hospital pass in soccer
As is the cases with passes in general, there are several variations of the hospital pass that you might see on a soccer field. However, the most common type of pass is a straight pass along the edge of the eighteen-yard box that is in danger of being won by the opposition.
This type of hospital pass doesn’t put anyone in danger, but it does cause a big problem for the defending team, as their opponents can nip in and win the ball before launching an attack on goal.
Another type of hospital pass in soccer is one that can put a teammate (or indeed an opponent) in danger. In this instance, a player might leave a pass slightly short, which causes their teammate to stretch to retain possession.
In that moment, an opponent might make a slide tackle to try and nick the ball away, which could potentially endanger the opponent.
Some hospital passes are played in the air, which can cause two opponents to potentially clash heads. Of course, this is more dangerous than a hospital ball on the floor, as it can lead to a potential head injury on the soccer field.
Tips to avoid making hospital passes in soccer
So, now we know what they are, how can you avoid making a hospital pass during a soccer game? Here are some things to consider:
- Always look up before making a pass to a teammate and check where your nearest opponents are. Many hospital passes are dangerous because they invite pressure from the other team.
- If in doubt, don’t make the pass. Rather than risking a hospital ball to a teammate, decide to send the ball long down the field. You can even clear the ball into touch to prevent your opponents from dispossessing you.
- If you’re passing the ball around at the back between your teammates or even to your goalkeeper, make sure the pass is firm. Most hospital balls are a result of under hit passes that put your teammates in trouble.
As with many things in soccer, prevention is better than a cure! So, if you’re under pressure and you are struggling to find a team mate, kick the ball long instead of opting for a hospital pass – your teammates will thank you for it later!
Recap: The scourge of the hospital ball in soccer
A hospital pass can be potentially dangerous to your teammates, but it can also be damaging to your team’s winning chances, as it could lead to the concession of a goal.
Most of the time, hospital passes result from mistakes by defenders or lapses in concentration, and they can be really costly to your team’s chances.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid hospital balls wherever possible and remember the old saying – if in doubt, kick it out!