Practice: Turning under pressure

WHY USE IT

Helps players understand the importance of turning quickly and effectively, within a 1v1 situation.

SET UP

Set up a main area with a ‘receiving channel’ running down the centre and a ‘turning zone’ at one end. At the opposite end to the ‘turning zone’ are two small goals. There is another small goal positioned just away from the ‘turning zone’ end. Split players into two groups, defenders and attackers, with each defender having a ball.

HOW TO PLAY

A defender plays a ball to an attacker who has entered the ‘receiving channel’. On receiving the ball, the attacker travels into the ‘turning zone’ where they must complete a turn before they can attack the two small goals. After playing their pass, the defender enters the area and attempts to win the ball back. The attacker wins a point if they are able to score into one of the two small goals. If the defender wins possession, they try to score into the small goal positioned just outside the ‘turning zone’. Once the defender plays the ball to the attacker, another pair enters and they start their turn.

Coaching points

Players must check their shoulder to see where they are and where the pressure is coming from, before deciding which particular turn to complete.