WPS is an acronym that stands for “Wall Pass System” in soccer. It refers to a tactical system that utilizes quick, short passes between teammates to move the ball up the field and penetrate the opposition’s defense.
What is the Wall Pass System?
The Wall Pass System, commonly referred to as the “Give and Go” or “One-Two Pass”, is a tactic where a player passes the ball to a teammate and then quickly moves into space to receive the ball back from that teammate.
Here is how it works:
- Player A passes the ball to Player B
- After the pass, Player A quickly moves into a new space, creating a passing lane
- Player B immediately passes the ball back to Player A into the space they just moved into
- This allows Player A to advance up the field with the ball
By utilizing quick passes and movement, teammates can exchange the ball rapidly, pull defenders out of position, and open up space to advance attack.
Key Elements of the Wall Pass System
For the Wall Pass System to be effective, there are a few key elements that must be executed well:
- Timing – The passes must be immediate, one-touch passes to catch the defense off guard
- Movement – After the initial pass, the passer must explosively move into new space to receive the return pass
- Accuracy – Passes must be crisp, well-weighted, and aimed into the path of the intended receiver
- Communication – Teammates must effectively read each other’s intentions and movements
- Speed – The exchanges must be performed with pace before defenders can react and close space
Executing quick wall passes requires tremendous chemistry between teammates, field vision, and technical passing ability. When done correctly, this system is extremely effective at breaking down defenses.
History & Origins
The Wall Pass system has been used in soccer for many decades. It became a popular tactical style in the 1950s-60s, pioneered by groundbreaking Hungarian, Brazilian, and Dutch teams.
Legendary Hungarian manager Gustav Sebes utilized quick passing combinations and movement to lead Hungary to the 1954 World Cup Final and influence tactics worldwide. Brazil’s 1958 and 1970 World Cup winning teams also dazzled with intricate wall pass moves.
But the Dutch team in the 1974 World Cup perfected the system under manager Rinus Michels and star Johan Cruyff. Their “Total Football” style, relying on positional rotations and rapid wall passes, was revolutionary and influential on future generations.
Famous Examples
Over the years, some of the world’s best players and teams have utilized the Wall Pass system to penetrate defenses and create goals:
- Pele and Jairzinho for Brazil in 1970
- Johan Cruyff and “Total Football” Netherlands in 1974
- Diego Maradona and Argentina in 1986
- Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona with Messi and Xavi from 2008-2012
- Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in early 2000s
- Xavi, Iniesta, and Spain’s tiki-taka style in 2010 World Cup
When executed properly, the Wall Pass System allows teams to dictate play, control possession, and break down even the most organized defenses.
Using the Wall Pass in a Game
Here are some tips for effectively using the Wall Pass System in a game situation:
- Look for triggers – when defender is flat-footed, ball is exposed, or space opens up behind defense
- Maximize misdirection – use feints or dummy runs to create confusion before the pass
- Vary the angles – horizontal, diagonal, or vertical exchanges to target weak spots
- Change up tempo – mix in some slower builds up rather than always immediate passes
- Involve wings and fullbacks – stretch the defense and give more passing options
- Maintain defensive balance – avoid getting countered if the exchange fails or is intercepted
With speed, coordination, and some creativity, a good Wall Pass System can lead to many scoring chances and impressive goals.
Advantages of the Wall Pass System
Using a Wall Pass System offers several advantages on the soccer field when executed properly:
- Penetrates compact defenses
- Creates numerical overloads around the ball
- Quick tempo to attack before defense resets
- Requires technical precision and chemistry from teammates
- Pulls defenders out of position
- Opens up space between defensive lines
- Advances attack up the field rapidly
The Wall Pass System essentially aims to disorder and destabilize defenses by moving the ball faster than opponents can shift and cover. This provides a efficient offensive framework for controlling matches.
Disadvantages & Weaknesses
Despite its strengths, the Wall Pass System also comes with some inherent disadvantages and weaknesses:
- High risk – misplaced passes can lead to dangerous turnovers
- Requires very skilled, intelligent players
- Dependent on teammates being in sync
- Can be predictable if overused
- Vulnerable to teams that press aggressively
- Frustrating for forwards if they don’t receive the final pass
- Easy to fatigue due to demand for speed and concentration
The Wall Pass System functions best when coaches instill organization, flexibility, patience, and a contingency plan if the quick exchanges fail to materialize.
Conclusion
The Wall Pass System is an influential tactical style that utilizes rapid exchanges of the ball between teammates to penetrate defenses. Pioneered by groundbreaking teams like Hungary, Brazil, and the Netherlands, it requires precision, chemistry, and speed to execute effectively.
When performed correctly, the Wall Pass System allows teams to dictate play, create numerical advantages around the ball, and open up gaps in the defense. However, it also comes with risks, demanding technically skilled players, concentration, and a coordinated understanding between teammates.
Overall, the Wall Pass System serves as an excellent offensive framework to disorder defenses when applied properly. The quick passes, incisive runs, and clever combinations encapsulate the beauty of attacking soccer at its best.