How do you know when a game needs slowing down instead of another forward pass?

The game usually needs slowing down when your team is attacking faster than it is getting organised. Look around after you regain or receive the ball. If several teammates are still recovering from the previous action, the distances are stretched and the forward option is only a low-percentage pass, keeping it for two or three passes can bring the team back together. If the opposition is disorganised and there is genuine space to attack, that is when speed has value. Tempo is not the same as playing slowly. You can circulate the ball quickly while choosing not to force the attack. As an experienced midfielder, one of your biggest contributions can be recognising whether the next pass should increase the speed of the game or reduce the chaos. The best clue is usually the organisation of both teams, not simply whether a forward pass exists.