DRILLS · RECEIVING · SCANNING · PASSING
Receiving on the Half-Turn
U9–U14 · 4 per group · 12 min
A Y-shaped passing pattern where the middle player scans, opens up side-on and plays forward. Builds the habit midfielders need to play forward under pressure. For U9–U14.
Watch on YouTube · @playiqsoccerSetup
- Make a Y shape with cones: one at the bottom, one in the middle about 12 yards away, and two at the top, wide left and wide right.
- One player per cone, one ball at the bottom. Add a passive defender behind the middle player once they're comfortable.
How it works
- The bottom player passes into the middle player.
- The middle player looks over their shoulder before the ball arrives.
- They open their hips side-on and take the first touch across their body toward one of the top players.
- Pass forward to that player, who plays it back into the middle.
- This time, turn the other way and play to the other side. Rotate positions every minute.
Coaching points
- Look over your shoulder first. Know where the pressure is before you receive.
- Side-on, open body: hips facing the way you want to go, not your own goal.
- Receive across your body with the back foot, so the first touch takes you forward.
Progressions
- The coach calls 'left' or 'right' as the pass is played.
- Add a passive defender behind, then let them press.
- One-touch pass forward after the turn.
Run this drill with your team
Add it to a practice plan in PlayIQ and your players see it on their phones, with the diagram, before they arrive. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.