A good pass begins before the ball moves. When a midfielder steps away from a marker, they can open a lane for a teammate—even if they never receive the pass themselves.
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Look for triangles. Three players at different angles give the player in possession more than one route forward. If all three stand on the same line, one defender may be able to block both options.
At your next match, spend a minute watching the nearest midfielder instead of following the ball. Notice when they check over a shoulder, change their angle or draw a defender away. Their movement often explains the next pass.