Goals and assists only credit the last two touches of an attack. Most of the work happens earlier: the centre-back who breaks the press with a pass into midfield, or the winger who carries the ball 30 metres up the pitch. Progressive passes and progressive carries are the stats that measure that work.
They sit alongside xG, xA, PPDA and field tilt as a way to see who actually drives a team forward.
What is a progressive pass?
A completed pass that moves the ball much closer to the opponent's goal. The most widely used public definition counts a pass as progressive when:
- it ends at least 25% closer to goal than where it started, and
- it does not start in the team's own defending 40% of the pitch, or
- it is any completed pass into the penalty area.
Sideways and backwards passes never count, however useful they are for keeping the ball.
What is a progressive carry?
A carry is any time a player moves with the ball at their feet. It is progressive when it takes the ball towards the opponent's goal by a meaningful distance, usually at least 10 metres, or into the penalty area. Carries reward players who beat a man or drive into space instead of passing.
Try it: is this pass progressive?
Set how far from the opponent's goal the pass starts and ends.
Simplified: real definitions also exclude passes from the defending 40% of the pitch.
Typical numbers by position (per 90)
Centre-backs
Passes 4–7 · Carries 1–3Ball-playing defenders break the first line with passes into midfield.
Full-backs / wing-backs
Passes 5–8 · Carries 3–5Often the top progressors in possession sides, carrying down the flank.
Central midfielders
Passes 6–10 · Carries 2–4Deep playmakers lead the passing numbers; box-to-box players carry more.
Wingers
Passes 3–5 · Carries 5–8Dribbling wide players top the carry charts.
Strikers
Passes 1–3 · Carries 1–3Low numbers are normal; they receive progressive actions rather than make them.
Ranges are rough guides for top-league players and vary by provider and team style.
How they fit with other stats
Progression + xA
Progression gets the ball near goal; xA measures whether the final pass creates a good chance.
Progression + field tilt
Teams that progress often spend more time in the final third, which pushes field tilt up.
Passers vs carriers
Comparing the two shows a player's style. Try it with our player comparison tool.
Limitations
- Volume depends on team style: possession sides give every player more chances to progress.
- It ignores difficulty: a pass through three lines counts the same as one into open space.
- Failed attempts are not counted, so risky players are not penalised.
- Definitions differ between providers; compare numbers from one source only.
Frequently asked questions
What is a progressive pass?
A completed pass that moves the ball significantly closer to the opponent's goal. A common definition is a pass that ends at least 25% closer to goal than where it started, excluding passes from the defending 40% of the pitch, or any completed pass into the penalty area.
What is a progressive carry?
A carry is when a player moves with the ball at their feet. It is progressive when it takes the ball a meaningful distance towards the opponent's goal, typically at least 10 metres, or into the penalty area.
What is a good number of progressive passes per 90?
For midfielders in the top leagues, around 6 or more per 90 minutes is strong and 9 or more is elite. Expectations differ a lot by position and team style.
Are progressive passes the same as key passes?
No. A key pass leads directly to a shot. A progressive pass just moves the ball forward significantly, often many moves before any shot.
Do providers use the same definition?
No. Distance thresholds and excluded zones vary between data providers, so only compare players using numbers from the same source.