Most passes come with the receiver’s back to goal. They have to receive and turn in one motion to be effective. This is about using the first touch to change body position.

What you need: 1 soccer ball, 2 kids, 3 cones marking a line.

Setup: Receiver stands with back to the goal, 15 feet from the passer. Passer is behind a cone.

How to run it:

  1. Passer passes to the receiver using Plant, Open, Strike, Follow.
  2. Receiver See, Cushion, Settle, Move: they see the pass coming, cushion on the first touch, settle the ball into space behind them, and move to turn.
  3. Receiver’s first touch should be slightly away from goal so they can rotate and face forward.
  4. They turn and dribble away from the passer.
  5. Do 5 receives, then switch.

What to watch: Does the first touch create space to turn? Or does the ball stick to their feet and they can’t move?

If they’re struggling: Receiver faces sideways instead of back to goal. Easier.

If they’ve got it: Add a defender behind the receiver. They have to turn and dribble away from pressure.