Neymar has pulled off almost every trick in soccer, but his butt pass might be the cheekiest. While playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar found himself with the ball bouncing behind him and no time to turn, so he improvised and played the ball on with his backside. It’s funny, it’s clever, and it says a lot about how creative players think on the field.
Here’s the story of Neymar’s butt pass, why skills like this actually work, and what young players can learn from them.
What Is the Butt Pass?
The butt pass is exactly what it sounds like: using your backside to redirect the ball to a teammate. It usually happens when the ball arrives behind a player and there isn’t time to turn and use a foot. It’s legal, because there’s nothing in the Laws of the Game stopping a player using their backside, and it’s so unexpected that defenders rarely react in time.
Neymar Wasn’t the First
Mexico legend Cuauhtémoc Blanco famously used a butt pass years earlier in MLS. Blanco was a master of the unexpected; he’s also known for the “Cuauhtemiña,” jumping between two defenders with the ball trapped between his feet. Read more about Cuauhtémoc Blanco’s butt pass and his famous bunny hop.
Why Unorthodox Skills Work
- Surprise: defenders prepare for passes with the feet. Anything else catches them off guard.
- Speed: using the body part closest to the ball is often faster than turning.
- Disguise: the body shape gives no clue where the ball is going.
- Confidence: players like Neymar and Blanco aren’t afraid to try things, and that confidence is a skill in itself.
Other Unusual Ways to Pass the Ball
- The back-heel: the classic surprise pass, used by players from Zidane to Messi.
- The no-look pass: Ronaldinho’s trademark. See the Ronaldinho no-look pass.
- The rabona: crossing the kicking leg behind the standing leg.
- The chest and thigh pass: redirecting a bouncing ball without letting it drop.
- The “butt trap”: Celtic’s Lubo Moravčík even controlled the ball with his backside. Watch the butt trap.
What Young Players Can Learn
You probably won’t practise butt passes in training, and that’s fine. But the lesson behind them matters: great players are comfortable using every part of their body to control and move the ball. That body awareness comes from thousands of touches, juggling and small-sided games.
Coaches can encourage creativity by:
- Including juggling and “any body part” control games in warm-ups.
- Playing small-sided games where creativity is rewarded with bonus points.
- Praising brave attempts, not just successful ones.
A Fun Creativity Drill: Any Body Part Rondo
- Set up a 4v1 rondo in a 10×10 yard square.
- Passes can be made with any legal body part: foot, thigh, chest, head, heel.
- Award a point for every pass that isn’t with the inside of the foot.
- Rotate the defender every minute.
It’s fun, it builds body control, and it’s a great way to end a session.
Neymar’s Creativity and Ball Mastery
Neymar’s improvisation is built on a foundation of ball mastery: years of futsal, street soccer and close control. At Coerver Coaching we believe every player can become more creative once they’re comfortable with the ball. Read how to play like Neymar to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a butt pass legal in soccer?
Yes. Players can use any part of the body except the hands and arms (goalkeepers excepted inside their own penalty area).
Who did the butt pass first?
Mexico’s Cuauhtémoc Blanco became famous for it in MLS before Neymar’s version at PSG.
Why do players use unusual passes?
Because the surprise and speed can beat defenders who are expecting a normal pass.
Want to pull off moves like these?
Coerver Moves breaks down the 1v1 moves the world’s best players use, step by step on video, so you can practise them at home and use them in games.
