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Working on Turns

Field size: 30 by 20 yards

Number of players: full team; groups of three

Age range: 10-12

Description: One player in the middle works on receiving the ball and turning as two other players pass the ball into the player’s feet from both side. 

Player cushions the ball with the inside of the foot and turns so the ball is out in front of their feet. This way they can make the next pass immediately and not have to take another touch. This is the main turn to work on, where you cradle the ball with the inside of the foot and rotate the ball around in the other direction.  But practice a wide range of turns: shoulder feinting one way and turning to the other side, letting the ball run through your legs, stepping on top of the ball with the bottom of the left and then the right to turn, chopping the ball back with the inside of the foot, and turning to the right and the left with the inside and outside of both feet. Players should try to turn in two or three touches. Start out doing the turns at a slow pace, until players can do the turn correctly.  

The players serving the ball in should play a crisp pass to the player's feet.  Switch the player working on turns after this player has done ten total turns.  Later, incorporate a defender into the drill, where players have to try and beat a defender to the line or a small goal.

Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.