In a 4–5–1 formation, the full back hits a very long cross-field pass forward to a player on the opposite flank (sometimes called a wide target man), who would head the ball to either one of the central midfielders or to the striker.
The Flo pass was successfully deployed for the first time in February 1993, in a 1–1 friendly draw with Portugal.
On this occasion Pål Lydersen – not Bjørnebye – launched the ball to Flo, leading to Gøran Sørloth scoring Norway's goal.
This increased the possibility of winning the ball, and the side was able to build up the attack from here, preferably before the opposing team have the opportunity to re-organize their defence.
Another advantage with this kind of play is that a technically limited football nation such as Norway, with only about 5 million people and much snow in winter time limiting the possibilities to practice, can play to their strengths rather than their weaknesses.