The player receives the ball, taking control of it before moving around the pole and passing the ball back to the coach.
Touches
- Sole touch - player stops the ball with their sole before using the outside of the boot to take their touch around the pole before passing the ball to the coach.
- Inside foot - player takes a touch around the back of the pole before passing the ball back.
- Outside foot - player uses the outside of their foot to take a touch around the pole before passing the ball back.
Body shape to receive the ball
Distances, maximise the space to get the touch around the pole
Getting the feet in the set position, keeping the feet shoulder width apart
The athlete works over the cones, taking quick steps working sideways. Athlete works for 30-45 seconds continuously.
Progressions
- Athlete works forward and backwards around the cones, facing the coach continuously for 30-45 seconds.
- Athlete works across like in the first set. When they get to the other side, the athlete will complete 2 single leg sideway jumps before repeating the process. Athlete works for 30-45 seconds.
Quick feet - driving the knees to be more explosive in the actions
Bending the knee when changing direction (load to explode)
Working on the front of the feet
The athlete will start on the mannequin, on the coaches command they should check away and receive, then pass into the board before passing back to the coach.
Focus on the athlete’s first touch leading them into the direction of where they would like to play next.
You can progress the drill by asking the player to meet the ball and perform a reverse pass through the gap between the mannequin and the wall, back to the coach.
- Can you receive with an open body position?
- Encourage the player to receive on their back foot, then pass with their front foot
- Consider the players' body & field position when receiving
The athlete plays a bounce pass each side of the mannequin before coming to the side to receive the ball. With the first touch beating the mannequin, the player gets the shot off across goal.
Body shape - Show the teammate where you want the ball being played to. This would also help get set to take the touch into the space the player wants to take it.
Field position - The athletes position on the pitch in relationship to where the ball is and where the player wants to go. Can the athlete influence the defender & the space to get the best possible outcome.
