Most goals in soccer come through an assist! The latter is simply the last pass from a player to the one who actually scores the goal …
… Assists are extremely important in soccer! That’s why, players with the most assists are usually rewarded in leagues and competitions exactly like the top goal scorers!
However, there are couple confusions when it comes to qualifying a move as an assist or not.
In this short article I explain the nitty-gritty!
What counts as an assist in soccer?
Each league has its own way when it comes to qualifying an assist!
But in general, an assist is counted to the last player who passed the ball to the goal scorer as far as this pass seems to be contributing directly to the goal.
For example, if I pass a ball to the striker and the latter had to dribble 3 players before he scores, then this won’t be counted as an assist for me. This is not a direct contribution!
This pass could be with the feet, with the head, with the back, with the top shoulder, from a long or short distance!
However, people cannot give an assist to the other team – for example, by making a bad back pass which is then intercepted.
What a player cannot do is to give an assist to themselves. If they take a touch first before shooting or dribble and then shoot, they do not get the credit for both the assist and the goal.
FInally, I strongly recommend checking this blue print on how to be a great playmaker! Playmaker’s main role is to give assists … You will learn a lot!
Does the last pass before an own goal count as an assist?
According to Premier League rules, assists can be awarded for a pass or cross even if an opponent gets a touch before a goal is scored, although that touch must not significantly change the intended destination of the ball.
That means that if a player shoots and the ball deflects off an opponent and goes in then he may be credited with the assist.
Does a received long pass from the goalie count as an assist?
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A goalkeeper has the same status as any other player on the pitch when it comes to providing an assist.
If their long pass from the back finds a striker who subsequently scores, then it is an assist!
Such scenarios tend to occur towards the end of the game when one side is pushing up and their defence is starting to tire.
They can then be vulnerable to a counterattack with a long ball over the top catching them out.
Does a deflected shot count as an assist?
A deflected shot counts as an assist if the player making it was the last person to touch the ball on their side before it fell to the person who eventually scored.
Confusing things about Assists in General?
One confusing issue about deciding whether a pass or cross should count as an assist or not centres on whether the player who scores the ball needs to take multiple touches before he actually scores. If they do, then, usually, the pass is not an assist.
This may seem unfair because the person who created the chance may have done all the hard work, but their contribution is not recognised!
Arguably this is an anomaly in the assist rule because they have more intent than somebody who divert a cross into the path of an attacker or whose deflected shot rebounds into their path, but limits have to be drawn somewhere.
Another oddity is that, according to FIFA, a player who is fouled in the area, and a penalty is subsequently awarded, is given a point for an assist (unless they subsequently take the spot kick).
I remember this when I saw a game between Manchester United and Arsenal where Hector Bellerín received an assist after being fouled by Paul Pogba.
How many assists per game on average?
The number of assists per game depends on the league and the country. However, the best players have averaged between 0.15 to 0.32 per game during their Premier League careers.
For example, the Player with the most assists in his Premier League career was Ryan Giggs who notched up 162 from 632 games.
Second on that list in terms of numbers, but ahead of him in terms of incidence was Cesc Fabregas with 111 for Arsenal and Chelsea.
And David Beckham who spent less time than either of them in the Premier League managed 88 at a rate of 0.30 a game before he left Manchester United to play abroad.
Do those same rules apply in futsal?
Whilst futsal may have its own rules and variations, much of the essence of the game is the same as soccer, which is why famous former players like Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have switched to playing it later in their careers.
So, by the same token, what counts as an assist in soccer is equally valid in futsal.
What about indoor soccer?
Again, indoor soccer is essentially the same game except transferred to an indoor arena. Therefore, the same rules apply when it comes to defining assists.
What position has statistically the most assist count?
Although one might think that attacking midfielders get the most assists, statistically it is forwards who provide more goals for their fellow players than any other on the pitch.
In the last years, Luis Suárez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and clearly out in front, Lionel Messi got about 319 assists, which is quite a big number.
This is because these players spend most of their time in the attacking third of the pitch. That means they may either be on the shoulder of the last defender or in the space in front of their back four.
And one characteristic they all have in mind is they are great team players. Whilst they love to score themselves, they know when to pass to a teammate who is in a better shooting position than them.
Statistically this is also supported by history. The two players with the most assists in World Cup history are Pele and Diego Maradona with eight each. Not only are they arguably the two greatest ever exponents of the game of soccer, but they were both forwards.
Technical attributes to be good at assisting strikers?
Many of the best providers of assists have great vision, the ability to pick a pass that nobody else can see, as well as awareness of where their teammates are on the pitch.
They also need to know when to release the ball and at what speed and force, so that their colleague has the best chance to strike the ball cleanly.
Another attribute that many have is the capacity to create space for themselves, that half a yard which can make all the difference in tight areas.
Best Drills to practice assists?
There are a number of ways to practice assists, but one simple drill involves just a partner, a ball, and a goal.
If a soccer goal is not available then a wall or fence is an alternative!
- Line up about 12 yards from the goal with the shooter about 18 yards away.
- They will pass the ball to you and your task is to control it and roll the ball into their path so they can strike it towards the goal.
- You need to make sure that it lands on their dominant foot and at the right pace so they can take the shot first time.
- When that has been mastered try the exercise again, but this time with your weaker foot.
The second drill is a more general exercise to improve the speed and accuracy of your passing:
- With four or five teammates stand in a circle with another player in the middle.
- Your job is to pass it across the circle accurately without it being intercepted.
- Ideally passes should land on the instep of your intended target so they can pass it on immediately.
- Try passing with both feet to enhance your overall skills.
- If the ball gets intercepted that then the player who made the false pass takes over in the middle.
Famous soccer players with great ability to assist?
There have been many players over the years who have been excellent at providing assists, but none better than Barcelona and Argentina best Lionel Messi, who in not only one of the greatest at scoring goals, but excels when it comes to creating chances for others.
Another man who top the assists table in the Premier League in both the 2017/18 season and the 2019 – 2020 season is Kevin de Bruyne.
Both are highly skilled technically but, what makes them stand out when it comes to find teammate is speed of thought and vision.
They appear to have more time on the ball to make a decision and find a colleague in the right area than normal players.
They also have the ability to execute the final pass or cross with precision and at the right pace
Final Thoughts …
Hope this short article has given you enough ideas so you won’t be confused while qualifying an assist from a normal pass/cross …
… I also took the opportunity to include some basic yet effective drills to improve this aspect of the game! Hopefully, if you are a player yourself, you would easily become valuable to your team by contributing in more goals.
Lastly, I highly invite you to learn about other soccer rules … Indeed, you can check this article on things you shouldn’t do in soccer! Many amateurs are not aware of these rules!