Turning & Receiving
Receiving with back to goal, turning in tight spaces and body shape when the ball arrives under pressure
⏳ 60 minutes · 5 activities
1
Shark Attack
Dribbling warm-up where two players without balls try to steal from the rest of the group.
Setup
- 25x25 yard grid
- 12 players each with a ball, 2 players without (the sharks)
- All players inside the grid
How to Play
- Sharks try to steal a ball from any dribbling player and dribble it out of the grid
- Player who loses their ball becomes the new shark
- Players can shield and change direction to protect their ball
Rules
- Add a third shark after 3 minutes to increase pressure
- Progress: dribbling players can only use their weaker foot
1
Use your body to shield - get between the shark and the ball2
Keep the ball within one stride so you can change direction instantly3
Scan constantly - know where the sharks are before they reach you2
Receive, Shield & Turn
Paired drill where one player receives with a defender pressing from behind, shielding before turning to face up.
Setup
- Two lines 15 yards apart, one ball between each pair
- Feeder plays the ball to the receiver; a passive defender follows the receiver from 2 yards behind
- Run in two groups simultaneously
How to Play
- Feeder plays the ball to the receiver's feet
- Receiver controls, shields the ball from the defender, then turns using a drag-back, Cruyff or step-over to face the feeder
- Once facing, receiver plays the ball back and roles rotate
Progressions
- Progress 1: defender becomes active after the first touch - receiver must earn the turn
- Progress 2: after turning, receiver must dribble past the defender to score in a mini goal behind them
1
Lower your centre of gravity before receiving - knees bent, weight forward2
Control the ball into your body, not away from you, so the defender can't nick it3
Feel where the defender is with your back before committing to your turn direction3
4v4 with Neutrals
SSG with two neutral wide players who always play with the team in possession - reward clever movement to find the free player.
Setup
- 35x25 yard pitch with two end zones
- 4v4 in the middle plus a neutral player on each sideline
- Score by dribbling into the end zone
How to Play
- Neutrals play with whoever has the ball, always creating an overload
- Neutrals can move along their sideline but cannot enter the pitch
- Score by dribbling under control into the opponent's end zone
Key Focus
- Bonus point for a goal scored after receiving from a neutral and turning to play forward in one move
- Progress: neutrals can play one-touch only, forcing quick combination play
1
Find the neutral early - they're always free if you look for them2
When you receive from the neutral, your first thought is forward, not back3
Receiver: show for the ball on an angle, not flat - give the neutral a pass to play4
Free Play
Open game to consolidate the session's themes without structure.
Setup
- Full-width pitch, standard goals with goalkeepers
- Even teams
- Coach steps well back
How to Play
- Standard football, no restrictions
- Players self-organise
Coach role: Look for moments where a player receives under pressure and makes a clean turn. Count how many times that happens compared to the player turning the ball over when pressed.
5
Stretch & Review
Stretches and a review on receiving and turning habits.
Stretches
- Players in a circle, seated on the ground
- Hip flexor, hamstring, glute stretch - 30 seconds each
Q1. What's the first thing you do when the ball is about to reach you with a defender behind you?
Q2. Which turn felt most natural today - and which one do you need to practise more?
Q3. How does receiving cleanly under pressure change what your team can do next?