Short Answer
Overview
In association football (soccer), “passes attempted” refers to the total number of times a player intentionally kicks or headers the ball toward a teammate. This metric is a fundamental component of match statistics and serves as a raw count of a player’s distribution activity. Unlike “passes completed,” which only counts successful transfers of possession, passes attempted includes every effort, regardless of whether the ball reached the intended target, was intercepted by an opponent, or went out of play.
History / Background
The tracking of passing statistics evolved alongside the professionalization of sports analytics. In the early eras of soccer, statistics were limited to goals and assists. However, with the advent of Opta and other sophisticated data providers in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the ability to track every single touch and distribution became possible. This shift allowed analysts to move beyond outcome-based stats to process-based stats, enabling a deeper understanding of a player’s role within a team’s tactical system, such as the distinction between a deep-lying playmaker and a target man.
Importance and Impact
Passes attempted is critical for assessing a player’s influence on the flow of a match. A high number of attempts often indicates a player who is central to the team’s build-up play and is trusted by teammates to receive the ball. When analyzed alongside completion rates, this metric helps coaches identify whether a player is taking too many risks or if they are struggling under pressure. For example, a midfielder with high attempts but low completion may be attempting “progressive passes”—high-risk balls intended to break defensive lines—which are more valuable than safe, sideways passes.
Why It Matters
For modern fans, scouts, and analysts, understanding passes attempted is essential for evaluating performance beyond the scoreboard. It provides context to a player’s efficiency; a 90% pass completion rate is less impressive if the player only attempted 10 passes, compared to a player who maintained 85% accuracy over 100 attempts. This metric allows for the calculation of “Pass Accuracy,” which is derived by dividing passes completed by passes attempted, creating a standardized measure of a player’s technical reliability.
Common Misconceptions
A high number of passes attempted always indicates a superior player.
High attempts can sometimes indicate a lack of ambition or a tendency to play “safe” passes in non-threatening areas of the pitch.
Every single kick of the ball is counted as a pass attempt.
Clearances, goal kicks, and shots on goal are typically categorized separately from standard pass attempts in professional data sets.
FAQ
Does a pass that goes out of bounds count as an attempt?
Yes, any intentional effort to pass the ball to a teammate that fails, including those that go out of play, is counted as a pass attempted.
Is a shot that is blocked considered a pass attempt?
No, shots are generally categorized as shooting attempts, not passing attempts, even if they accidentally find a teammate.
Why do some players have very few pass attempts?
Strikers or wingers often have lower attempt numbers because they operate in advanced positions where they are more likely to shoot or lose possession than to distribute the ball.
Leave a Reply