Space on a football pitch can at times get very tight. Players need 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. Turning is very much linked to receiving priorities, If the player receiving the ball can receive it in such a way that they can receive it as a pass, or let the ball run across them without touching it, into space, then this is better than turning with the ball. But if a player cannot receive it in this way, then they will have to employ a turning technique.

There are a number of situations when 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 asses 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 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 times when the player will receive a pass or be in possession of the ball and will 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.

Sometimes the player on the ball might need 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. 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 a pressurising defender into space, to then be able to turn quickly into 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.

But 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.

Turning

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Spatial Awareness and Turning

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The following are considered the key technical coaching factors to improve turning:

• Create space to receive the pass - Players should look to create space for themselves to turn into prior to receiving the pass
• Good body position to receive the pass - If possible, can the player receive the pass on the half turn, so they can turn quickly with the ball
• Recognition of where the space is and where defenders and team mates - Players will need to assess the space they have around them. This will very much dictate the turning skill they might use.
• Communication verbal and non verbal - A good call from a team mate who can see what is around the player receiving the ball can make all the difference when turning
• Decisions on different turning techniques - Depending on the situation, the players will need to be able to employ different and appropriate turning techniques
• Positive outcome after turn - Getting the head up after turning so that a shot, pass, dribble or run with the ball should be a main objective after turning

The practices you will see in this section are suggested practices, they aren't definitive. Why not use these as a basis for ideas and design, save and share your own shooting and finishing sessions and games with Coaches Chalkboard?