Flo Pass
Encyclopedia
The Flo Pass is a tactic used in association football, perfected by the Norwegian national team in the early/mid-1990s.
In a 4-5-1 formation
, the full back hits a very long cross-field pass to the winger on the opposite side, who would head the ball to either one of the central midfielders or to the striker.
In the original move, employed by the Norwegian national team, the move would be started by Stig Inge Bjørnebye
, and end with Jostein Flo
. It is from the latter the move derives its name.
The inventor of this kind of passing is the Norwegian head coach Egil "Drillo" Olsen, who was the side's coach between 1990–98, retiring after the World Cup 1998. "Drillo" has now returned to the job to take Norway to the European Championship 2012.
The genius with the Flo pass is the fact that the two players with best heading and aerial abilities in a back four is usually playing as the centre backs/half backs. Jostein Flo was a massive threat in the air but the fact that he played on the right winger, meant that he only had to face the left back, who was usually weaker than the central defenders, in an air clash. This increased the possibility of winning the ball, and the side were able to build up the attack from here.
An other advantage with this kind of play is that a technically limited football nation as Norway, with only about 4,5 million people and lots of snow in winter time, limiting the possibilities to practice dribbling skills and other technical movements, can play on their strengths rather than their weaknesses. The only thing you need to play a Flo pass is a back with a good crossing ability, usually performed by the former Liverpool left back Stig Inge Bjørnebye
, and a player with good aerial abilities, usually performed by Jostein Flo
. You don't need to dribble, pass and show off your skills to get the ball to the opposite side's goal in a technical and skillful way. Just give the ball to the left back (or right, playing the ball to the left winger) and crossing the ball in a Flo pass. This moves the ball very quickly, and is also able to surprise your opponent out of balance in a counter attack.
This kind of simple and effective way of play sent the traditionally weak football side Norway to the runner-up spot at the FIFA ranking in 1997, only second to four (now five) time FIFA World Cup
winner Brazil
. As well, Norway is the only national team who have never lost to the Seleção. Norway won 4-2 in 1997 in a friendly match, sensationally 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 1998 final match of the group stage (Norway advanced to the last 16, but lost 0-1 to Italy) and a friendly draw (1-1) in 2007. The same result as the two teams played in 1988.
In a 4-5-1 formation
Formation (association football)
In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football....
, the full back hits a very long cross-field pass to the winger on the opposite side, who would head the ball to either one of the central midfielders or to the striker.
In the original move, employed by the Norwegian national team, the move would be started by Stig Inge Bjørnebye
Stig Inge Bjørnebye
Stig Inge Bjørnebye is a retired Norwegian footballer who played in Norway, England, and Denmark, most notably for Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. His preferred position was left back, which he occupied for domestic clubs and the national team...
, and end with Jostein Flo
Jostein Flo
Jostein Flo is a Norwegian former football player, famous for his physical playing style and aerial dominance.-Biography:...
. It is from the latter the move derives its name.
The inventor of this kind of passing is the Norwegian head coach Egil "Drillo" Olsen, who was the side's coach between 1990–98, retiring after the World Cup 1998. "Drillo" has now returned to the job to take Norway to the European Championship 2012.
The genius with the Flo pass is the fact that the two players with best heading and aerial abilities in a back four is usually playing as the centre backs/half backs. Jostein Flo was a massive threat in the air but the fact that he played on the right winger, meant that he only had to face the left back, who was usually weaker than the central defenders, in an air clash. This increased the possibility of winning the ball, and the side were able to build up the attack from here.
An other advantage with this kind of play is that a technically limited football nation as Norway, with only about 4,5 million people and lots of snow in winter time, limiting the possibilities to practice dribbling skills and other technical movements, can play on their strengths rather than their weaknesses. The only thing you need to play a Flo pass is a back with a good crossing ability, usually performed by the former Liverpool left back Stig Inge Bjørnebye
Stig Inge Bjørnebye
Stig Inge Bjørnebye is a retired Norwegian footballer who played in Norway, England, and Denmark, most notably for Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. His preferred position was left back, which he occupied for domestic clubs and the national team...
, and a player with good aerial abilities, usually performed by Jostein Flo
Jostein Flo
Jostein Flo is a Norwegian former football player, famous for his physical playing style and aerial dominance.-Biography:...
. You don't need to dribble, pass and show off your skills to get the ball to the opposite side's goal in a technical and skillful way. Just give the ball to the left back (or right, playing the ball to the left winger) and crossing the ball in a Flo pass. This moves the ball very quickly, and is also able to surprise your opponent out of balance in a counter attack.
This kind of simple and effective way of play sent the traditionally weak football side Norway to the runner-up spot at the FIFA ranking in 1997, only second to four (now five) time FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
winner Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. As well, Norway is the only national team who have never lost to the Seleção. Norway won 4-2 in 1997 in a friendly match, sensationally 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 1998 final match of the group stage (Norway advanced to the last 16, but lost 0-1 to Italy) and a friendly draw (1-1) in 2007. The same result as the two teams played in 1988.