Pierce Bird

[Notts78]

Whilst I take your point, every schoolboy footballer is taught never to pass back directly towards your own goal

That was the case in the 80s. Goalkeepers are now expected to be comfortable on the ball and players pass to them regardless of where they are. Watch Slocome. He will often get the ball direct to him.
Next you will be saying school boys get told to not pass across the box.

[Elite_Pie]

That was the case in the 80s. Goalkeepers are now expected to be comfortable on the ball and players pass to them regardless of where they are. Watch Slocome. He will often get the ball direct to him.

Indeed he will, but I struggle to see how giving the ball to a goalkeeper with an opponent bearing down on him is a good tactic.