Receiving to play forwards - Warm-up

WHY USE IT

This session works on the receiving skills of your players, helping to develop key attributes like awareness, body shape, receiving on the back foot and first touch. Receiving is a vital skill for all players to develop, as it will dictate the speed at which they can play, the decisions they make and their ability to retain possession in tight areas and positively affect play.

SET-UP

Set up a circular or square playing area, with goals on opposite sides. Players begin by working in groups of three, with a ball per group. You can play with multiple groups in each area to increase the challenge.

HOW TO DO IT

Groups set up with two players on opposite outer sides and one player in the middle. The groups pass and receive among themselves, working the ball from one outside player to the other, via the central player. As players get used to the techniques, the outside players can move around, creating a greater challenge for their central player as well as interference for the other groups.

TECHNIQUE

This technical practice should focus on scanning before receiving to know where team-mates, space and other players are, as well as receiving the ball on an angle, with an open body position, which allows the receiver to see both team-mates.

Players on the outside should be encouraged to pass to the receiver’s back foot, enabling them to take a first touch towards the third player and play forwards quickly.

PROGRESSION

Players from one group can become defenders, who aim to win the ball and score in either of the small goals. This increases the challenge for the central players, helping them to sharpen up their movement and take more game-realistic touches away from defenders, as well as encouraging greater scanning.