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First Touch

First Touch & Turn

Take the first touch away from pressure

First Touch
Receiving
Ball Mastery
Premium

Take the first touch away from pressure. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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First Touch
Receiving
Ball Mastery
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable

Age

Under 5 to Adults

Duration

12 min

Players

4-18

Area / pitch size

20 x 10 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones

Coaching focus

Take the first touch away from pressure

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Drill diagram

One group of three shown in a 20 x 10 area. Servers are exactly 15 yards apart; cones mark the middle receiving zone.

1231W220 x 10 yards
ServerWorking playerPassDribbleCone
  1. 1.Server 1 plays into the middle player.
  2. 2.Middle player takes a directional first touch and turns towards server 2.
  3. 3.Pass to server 2, then repeat in the other direction. Swap roles every 60 seconds.

Objective

  • -Take the first touch away from pressure
  • -Turn quickly and play forward
  • -Receive on the half-turn with an open body

Setup

  1. 1Two servers 15 yards apart with a working player in the middle.
  2. 2Cones mark the receiving zone.
  3. 3Group in threes.

How to play

  1. 1Server plays into the middle player who takes a directional first touch and turns.
  2. 2Player passes to the opposite server and repeats the other way.
  3. 3Swap roles every 60 seconds.

Coaching points

  • -Check away before showing to receive
  • -Open the hips and take the touch across the body
  • -Look over the shoulder before the ball arrives
  • -Use the correct surface for the direction of the turn

Progressions

  • +Add a passive then live defender
  • +Two-touch maximum

Regressions

  • -Slow rolled service
  • -Remove the turn and simply pass back

Variations

  • -Vary service: driven, lofted, bouncing
  • -Add a finish after the turn

Common mistakes

  • -Touch too close to the feet
  • -Receiving square-on and getting stuck
  • -No scan before receiving

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