Underload Back-to-Goal Receiving

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 28 x 20 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat cone.
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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -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
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early