Receive on the half-turn
Transcript
Open up before the ball arrives, and your first touch can go forward. Here's how. You need a partner, a ball and four cones. Stand ten metres apart. Behind you, make a three metre gate on each side, about ten metres away. Watch. Step wide, stand side-on, and let the pass run across you. Take it on your back foot and dribble through the gate. First, see the ball and the gate, not square on. Then, touch it towards the gate. Switch sides every rep. Our target is eight each side, then swap roles. Then take the free test at footballreach.com.
What it trains
Receive on the half-turn: stand side-on before the pass arrives, so you see the ball and the space ahead, then take it on your back foot and go forward with your first touch. FIFA coaches this in a passing circuit for midfielders.
Set up
- A partner and a ball
- 4 cones
- 10 m apart
- 3 m gates, 10 m back
How it works
- Stand 10 m from your partner, who has the ball. Set a 3 m gate (2 cones) on each side, about 10 m behind you at an angle.
- As your partner gets ready, step 2 to 3 m to one side and stand side-on, so you can see your partner and the gate on that side.
- Let the pass run across your body, take it on your back foot and dribble through the gate.
- Jog back, then go the other way. 8 each side, then swap roles.
Coaching points
- See the ball and gate. Check the gate before the pass is played, then stand side-on so you can see the ball and the gate at the same time.
- Touch it towards the gate. Let it run across your body onto your back foot (the one further from your partner) and push it towards the gate.
Not this
Standing square on to your partner as the ball arrives. You only see the passer and need extra touches to turn.
Dose
- Switch sides every rep
- 8 each side, swap roles
Our target: 8 each side, then swap roles, within 15 minutes, 3 times a week (the Football Reach plan target, not an FA rule).
Harder / Easier
Harder
Add a passive defender behind you: check over your shoulder before the pass and turn away from them. Or play it through the gate with one touch.
Easier
Stop the ball first, then turn, until standing side-on feels natural. Or stand 6 m apart and pass softer.
Safety
- Flat, dry ground with space around the gates, never a road or a driveway.
- Passes along the ground only, firm but controlled.
Sources
Not sure which skill to work on first? The free Football Reach test gives you a Player Development Score and shows which of the four corners of your game to work on next, in about two minutes.
Take the free test
