Turn And Chase

Objective

• -Improve turning speed
• -Build chasing endurance in short bursts
• -Practise protecting and winning the ball

Setup

1. 1Mark a rectangular lane with a turn gate at one end.
2. 2Pair players up and give one ball to each pair.
3. 3Place one player at each end of the lane.
4. 4Keep spare pairs waiting at the side to rotate in.

How to play

1. 1Player one dribbles to the turn gate and turns back.
2. 2Player two chases and tries to catch them before the start line.
3. 3When the run ends, the pair swap roles.
4. 4Run several short bursts with quick recovery.
5. 5Keep the work continuous and competitive.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Turning too wide
• -Looking only at the ball
• -Starting the chase too late