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A pass that puts your teammate in danger of getting clattered. Usually a slow ball that arrives right as a defender's closing in at full speed. Called a hospital ball because the recipient might end up there. Careless passing under pressure creates them. Good teammates don't play hospital balls; bad ones get their midfielders injured.
Playing a hospital ball in midfield can end careers - a slow pass across the pitch invites a full-speed challenge, and the receiving player has no time to protect themselves before they get wiped out.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
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