Bounce and Turn

Objective

• -Sharpen first touch
• -Practise quick turns
• -Increase foot speed

Setup

1. 1Set up a narrow rectangle 20 x 12 yards.
2. 2Players work in pairs with one ball between them.
3. 3Pairs spread out so there is plenty of room to turn.

How to play

1. 1One player passes to their partner and then quickly checks away.
2. 2The receiver takes a first touch and turns into open space before passing back.
3. 3Use different turns such as inside hook, outside hook or drag back.
4. 4After one minute, swap the starting player so both sides work.
5. 5Keep the ball moving at a lively but controlled pace.

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 into pressure
• -Taking a dead first touch
• -Standing too close together