Tom Huddlestone masterclass

In the 2013/14 Premier League, Tom Huddlestone was among the top five most accurate outfield passers over long distances.

The Hull City midfielder was in the company of Everton’s Phil Jagielka and Gareth Barry, Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, and Michael Dawson, who was at Tottenham Hotspur but is now reunited with fellow ex-Spurs man Huddlestone at the KC Stadium.

Interestingly, all of those men are English and that could be seen as a reflection of the country’s top flight. But they are not simply hit-and-hope merchants and passing over long distances is a skill of power and accuracy.

Huddlestone averaged 6.3 accurate long balls per match last season, with Jagielka leading the way with 8.5, and that is a demonstration of the ability of the former Derby and Nottingham Forest trainee.

Here, speaking at the launch EA SPORTS FIFA 15, Huddlestone gives Sky Sports some inside knowledge of how to perfect his particular speciality of long-distance passing.

BEFORE YOU RECEIVE THE BALL, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE A BIGGER PICTURE OF YOUR POSITION, YOUR TEAM-MATES AND THE OPPOSITION ON THE PITCH?

“As the ball is on its way, you look to check both shoulders and make sure, first and foremost, there are no defenders coming close by. If there is, you can see in front of you to drop the ball back off.”

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO WITH YOUR FIRST TOUCH; CONTROL OR MAKE SPACE?

“If you have got time and space, your first touch is to be able to set the ball so that your next touch is a pass. If you have got somebody close by, your first touch needs to move the ball away from the defender so you can keep possession of the ball.”

IN WHAT SITUATION WOULD YOU HIT A LONG-RANGE BALL WITH YOUR FIRST TOUCH?

It is scary how good he is. If there is a better passer of the ball... I do not think there can be

“It depends on the pass which you are receiving from your team-mate. If it is soft enough and you can see a pass on, it is an ideal situation to try and execute the pass in one touch.”

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU LOOK AT YOUR TARGET FOR THE PASS, WHETHER THAT IS A TEAM-MATE OR AN AREA OF THE FIELD?

“The last time you look at your target is probably as you initially put your leg down to strike the ball. Usually your team-mate will give you a bit of signal, whether that is with their running motion or a little point to where they would want the ball. As you put your head down, you can picture their movement into the space and you can execute the pass into the area.”

IN TERMS OF THE CONNECTION WITH THE BALL, WHEN WOULD YOU USE YOUR INSTEP AND WHEN WOULD YOU USE YOUR LACES?

“The laces are used over a longer distance. The instep is for the safer pass, maybe within five, 10 or 15 metres. Anything more than that distance is probably a little bit too far to use your instep and you would use your laces.”

ARE THERE ANY TRICKS FOR IMPROVING BACK SPIN OR TOP SPIN ON THE BALL WHEN YOU ARE HITTING THE BALL OVER LONG DISTANCES?

“That comes with practise. Striking towards the bottom of the ball will give you backspin and is needed if you are trying to drop the ball within a certain area. Top spin is probably more volleys at goal to give it the dip to make it more difficult for the goalkeeper.”

WHAT TRAINING DRILLS CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE OUR POWER AND ACCURACY?

“There are a lot of ways to improve. Even if you have got no facilities and have just got a brick wall, you can put jumpers down and pass the ball in between the jumpers and gradually move the distance back. If it becomes too comfortable with one foot, try with your weaker foot until it feels just as comfortable.”

Play as Tom Huddlestone in EA SPORTS FIFA 15, released Friday September 26th on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and all other formats. Get your copy on #FIFA15Friday from easports.com/uk/fifa/buy