close
LOGINReceiving with the back foot
When a player can receive and control a pass with their “back foot”, it gives them a real advantage. Most importantly, it buys them time so they can see what is happening around them.
What this session is about
- Adopting the correct body shape when receiving the ball.
- Awareness of what dangers/options are nearby.
- Setting the ball up for a pass with the first touch.
- A technique that also helps with shielding the ball.
What to think about
Make sure players:
- Allow the ball to go past their bodies to the foot furthest away from the passer – this is how to receive with the back foot.
- Are half-turned in the direction they want to guide the ball.
- Let the ball travel across their bodies.
- “Cushion” the ball on its horizontal mid-line or above with the inside of the back foot so there is no need to chase or stretch for it.
- Keep their heads up to see what options are around before the ball arrives.
Set-up
| Warm up | Session | Development | Game Situation | Warm Down |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes |
What you get your players to do
Set up four cones in a square and put a player at each cone, as shown in the top picture.
Player A passes to B, who checks away from the ball before checking back to receive the pass on their back foot.
Player A follows their pass and when B receives and passes to C, they also run to the next cone. This pass-receive-pass-run movement is continuous.
To progress, reverse the direction of the drill so players have to receive with the other “back” foot.
Development
Use eight players and set up a playing area, as shown in the middle picture. Split players into two groups, with one group, on the outside, serving and the other one, working inside the square.
One server is placed on each side of the playing area and can move along the length of that side.
To begin, working players each receive a pass from a server, control the ball and pass it back to the same server before spinning away and finding a different server to receive another pass.
Encourage players to receive passes with their weaker foot as well.
Workers and servers switch roles on a regular basis.
To progress, working players receive a pass from a server and perform a skill before passing back.
To progress further, working players receive a pass then dribble away to play a one-two with a free server
Related Files
Game situation
Play 4v4 in an area split into two halves that has no goals, as shown in the bottom picture.
To start, one team keeps possession in its half while a player from the other team goes into that half to try and intercept the ball.
If the team in possession makes five passes, another opposition player goes into that half to make a 4v2 and so on.
If the ball is dispossessed or goes off the pitch then the game transfers to the opposite half and the roles are reversed.
The player guilty of losing possession must now run and defend in the other half. The winning team is the one that has all four of their opponents in their half and manages to make five passes.
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Subscriber Testimonials
Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
*includes 3 coaching manuals
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Soccer Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of soccer coaching since we launched in 2007, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
