Training Two Types of Turns

By Sean Pearson

Area Size: 50 x 40 Yards

Teams: 7 v 7

Time: 20 Minutes

Objectives

To understand when and where to use the front foot to turn
To understand when and where to use the back foot to turn

The area is split into three zones, two end zones of 15x40 yards and a larger middle zone of 20x40 yards. The one condition on the game is when the ball enters the middle zone it is not allowed to go backwards. This forces the team to move the ball up the field. This session focuses on passing to players and forcing them to make quick decisions under pressure. In this conditioned game, the longer you hold on to the ball in the same area the more the other team will force you backwards, so you have to adapt and decide quickly.

Front Foot Turns

Have 3v3 in the middle zone at the beginning so it is not overcrowded, tell the team in possession to look to pass to a midfielder’s feet, especially when under pressure. The player receiving the ball should look over their shoulder to see which side the defender is on. Just before the ball arrives at their feet they should dummy to that side, to force the defender over more, this now gives more space on the opposite side of the ball. The player in possession should play a firm pass and the player receiving the ball should use the pace of the pass as well as the outside of their foot to move the ball to the opposite side.

When the ball is near the attacking third, for game realism, allow players the opportunity to advance into the area. IF you wish you can only allow and extra attacker and defender, etc. After the turn the player then decides what to do, either pass to the striker, to an advanced midfielder or to carry on driving the ball down the field.

If the striker receives the ball and they are pressured, encourage them to turn and shoot to allow more repetitions in your practice and allow your striker to a little selfish like the best strikers are.

Back Foot Turns

After the midfield has understood when, how and why to perform a front foot turn, allow a defender to step into the midfield zone. This now creates and overload in your favor of 4v3. If the defenders continue to cover the midfielders allow your defender to continue to carry the ball further forward, eventually one midfielder will have to engage if they want to stop the attack. It is at this point that the midfielder being marked drops away and turns their body sideways so their closest shoulder is pointed at the ball and they are facing up the field. As the opposition pressure the ball the defender passes to the back foot of the free player. The player receiving allows the ball to roll across their body and pushes the ball forward with the inside of their back foot.