Greetings Coaches,

The following activities encourage and develop the concept of receiving the ball “Sideways-On” or “Half-turned”. Both terms can be used to describe the same thing. It is important for players to learn to check to the ball at angles (instead of straight lines) to receive passes – this enables them to receive balls in a half-turned position which improves awareness / peripheral vision and allows for quicker turning.

Activities 1 & 2 are technique exercises that can be incorporated as part of an extended warm-up period. Activity #3 develops the theme into a 6v6 game.

Activity #1:

Players are organised as shown in Diagram (a) below. Player (B) is positioned approximately 10-12 yards away from the group and acts as the target player. 4-5 players are positioned in each group – Repeat setup to accomodate entire team.

Explanation:

Player (A) passes firmly to target (B). Immediately player (A) must check off at an angle to receive the one-touch return pass from (B). Player (A) must receive the ball in a “half-turned” stance before passing to the next player in line. The sequence is continuous. Rotate target player at coaches discretion. Diagram (b) below illustrates Player (A) checking in a “Sideways-On” position to receive the return pass. From this position it is easier to receive the ball on the front foot, turn and pass to the next player in line (C).

Coaching Points:

• Sharp accurate passing
• Angle of checking run to receive the return pass.
• Move laterally to get in a sideways-on stance.
• Take the ball on the “front foot”

Activity #2:

Players are organised as shown in Diagram (c) below. Players (A), (B), (C) are each approximately 10-12 yards apart. A supply of balls is placed next to the group of players as shown. Repeat setup to accomodate entire team.

Explanation:

Player (A) passes firmly to (B). Player (B) passes with one touch back to (A). Player (B) immediately checks off at an angle to receive the return pass from (A). Player (B) must receive the ball in a half-turned stance before passing to (C) at the opposite end of the grid. (C) must then dribble to join the back of the line. Each player advances one position – (A) replaces (B), (B) replaces (C), (C) dribbles to join the back of the line. Activity is continuous.

NOTE: The checking central player (B) must be encouraged to receive the ball on the “front foot”. In the diagram above the front foot is the right foot. Diagram (d) below illustrates Player (B) receiving the ball on the “front foot”

Coaching Points:

• Sharp accurate passing.
• Movement “off” the ball – get in a Sideways-On position.
• Good first touch – Take the ball on the front foot.
• Communication.

Activity #3
Set Up:

Two 18-yard boxes side-by-side are created as shown in Diagram (e) below. A 6v6 + Gk´s is organised inside the playing area. The area outside the 18-yard boxes are channels.

Explanation:

Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal. Players are encouraged to move into the wide channels to receive passes in a half-turned position. Players receiving the ball in a wide channel are limited to two-touch and are encouraged to play forward/cross early if the opportunity arises. Players must NOT stand in the channels – they are encouraged to time their runs to arrive as the ball arrives. Defensive players may not defend in the channels. In the above Diagram, Player (A) has checked back at an angle to lose his marker and receive the ball in a half-turned position. From this position he/she can play forward or cross the ball.

Coaching Points:

• Move laterally to get in a sideways-on stance
• Receive the ball on the front foot to quickly play forward/cross
• Accurate passing.
• Timing of movement to receive the ball – not too early.

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