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Soccer Training - Turn with the ball

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Soccer Training Tip – Aware of the space to turn into: Open body position to be able to see the space Different turning techniques when receiving the ball: Head up after the turn Soccer Training – Turning quickly with the ball: Head up after turn

Space on a soccer pitch can at times get very tight. Players need soccer training sessions to understand how to make space for themselves. If they are in possession of the ball a quick turn or change of direction can create space for the player on the ball to exploit. Turning with the ball is a highly technical skill and requires soccer training drills that encourage players to practice this skill. 

Soccer Training – Turning when receiving the ball - There are a number of situations that soccer training sessions can assist a player with understanding when and how to turn with the ball. For example, a player receiving the ball or having the ball in their possession might want to employ a turning technique. They might want to receive a pass and turn into space, using one touch into a space that changes the direction of the attack. To be able to do this they will need to get their body in a position that enables them to assess the space around them and to be able to assess the position of the opposition and team mates. Their turning technique in this situation will also depend on the pace of the pass they are receiving. A typical soccer training example of this might be a player receiving the ball from one flank area, turning and switching play to the opposite flank, or to receive a pass from a defender, turn in midfield and then pass forward.

Then there are other times that good soccer training sessions will encourage the player to understand when a player might receive a pass or be in possession of the ball they might need to employ a turning technique which will take them into space either to the side or behind an opponent. For example a forward receiving the ball with their back to goal in or around the area. They might then look to employ a turning technique to roll the defender and attack the space behind them, or turn into the space either side of the defender and look to shoot.

Soccer Training – Turning when in possession of the ball - Soccer Training drills that help the player to understand when they might want to change direction. For example they are running one way with the ball, if they quickly turn they can exploit the space in the other direction should also be part of the soccer trainers armoury. A winger might want to turn in this way when they are being forced away from the goal by the fullback, they might then employ a turning skill so that they can change direction quickly and attack the fullback in the direction of the goal. Players might also use a turning skill when they threaten to pass in one direction, which tempts the defender to try and block the pass or make a tackle, only for the player on the ball to turn away from the intended interception into the space they have created.

There are also times when a player in possession might need to control the ball away from a tight area or a pressurising defender and into a safe space, to then be able to turn quickly in the space created and be in a position where they are now facing the defender and able to pass, shoot, dribble or run with the ball.

At times, the player receiving the ball may miss control the ball and have to use a turning technique to manipulate the ball into a better position. If the pass has a lot of pace on it, the player may well have to control the ball in the direction it has come from and then turn with the ball.

Soccer Training – Decision making - Players will also need to understand that there are times when to turn might be the wrong option. When the best option is to not to turn, but to pass to a supporting team mate who is in a better position.