Receiving

Tempo Back-to-Goal Receiving

Hold the ball up with a defender behind

Receiving
Attacking
First Touch

Hold the ball up with a defender behind. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Receiving
Attacking
First Touch
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Tempo

Age

Under 9 to Adults

Duration

16 min

Players

4-14

Area / pitch size

32 x 24 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Full Goals

Coaching focus

Hold the ball up with a defender behind

Objective

  • -Hold the ball up with a defender behind
  • -Decide between setting, spinning or turning
  • -Link the striker to runners from midfield

Setup

  1. 1A central receiving zone in front of a goal in a 32 x 24 yards area.
  2. 2Set a visible timer or have an assistant count aloud from the side of the area.
  3. 3Balls at the midfield start cone, bibs for defenders.

How to play

  1. 1Midfielder passes into the striker who has a defender behind them.
  2. 2Striker either sets the ball back or spins in behind.
  3. 3The move finishes with a strike on goal.
  4. 4The clock starts the moment the first pass is played in.
  5. 5The sequence must reach the end action inside eight seconds or the rep is void.

Coaching points

  • -Feel the defender before the ball arrives
  • -Strong base, arm out to hold the space
  • -Set with a firm, accurate ball
  • -Pass with pace and intent — under-hit passes cost the clock

Progressions

  • +Cut the clock to six seconds
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Stretch the clock to twelve seconds
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Reps finished inside five seconds score double
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Standing still waiting for the pass
  • -Taking a touch straight into the defender
  • -Slow, sideways passing that burns the clock

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Hold the ball up with a defender behind

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Area
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Hold the ball up with a defender behind

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