Practice: Receive, play forward

WHY USE IT

This three-part session develops players’ technical and tactical ability to receive in order to enable them to play forwards quickly. 

It also works on players’ ability to make impactful forward runs off the ball to support attacking play.

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the number, age and ability of your players, with a smaller square in the middle. Divide players into three equal teams.

HOW TO play

Two players from each team stand on two different corners with a ball each. One of their team-mates in the middle will move to receive the ball. 

Once they have done so, they run with the ball to a different corner, and then turn, ready to pass back into a middle player. 

Players can’t run with the ball to a corner that already has a player of the same colour there. The outside player who passed the ball immediately follows their pass to become a middle player. 

All three teams work simultaneously.

progressions & ADAPTATIONS

• Add a time limit for teams to make as many passes as possible. 

   

• Add a defender into the middle to increase pressure, scanning and first-touch awareness of the central players.

COACHING POINTS

• Difference between dribbling and running with the ball – small touches versus big touches.
• Change of pace.
• Correct foot to receive – protect from danger, open body to take first touch in the direction you want to go.
• Check/scan shoulder – know where you’re going before receiving.