Stop And Step

Objective

• -Warm up safely
• -Sharpen reaction speed
• -Prepare for one-on-one defending

Setup

1. 1Set a 15 x 15 yard square with four corner cones.
2. 2Place markers in the middle for players to move around.
3. 3Players work individually with no ball.
4. 4The coach stands at one corner with clear calls.

How to play

1. 1Players jog around the square and respond to the coach's signals.
2. 2On stop, they drop into a stable defensive shape.
3. 3On step, they take two quick steps forward as if going into a tackle.
4. 4On turn, they pivot and move to the next cone.
5. 5Repeat with different directions and speeds.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Stiff stops
• -Crossing feet badly
• -Looking down all the time