Receiving on the half-turn between the lines: midfielder passing circuit
Circuit from the FIFA Talent Coach Programme: the midfielder receives with his back to the opposition goal between two mannequins, moves off the cone, takes an oriented touch with the far foot and plays between the lines. Progress with a defender who forces the choice between turning or playing back.
B mira por encima del hombro, se separa del cono y recibe de A con la pierna más alejada.
Objective
Scan before receiving, move off the cone to receive with the far foot and choose between an oriented touch forward or a pass back depending on the pressure.
Organisation
Cone A and cone B 15 m apart. Two mannequins 15 m from cone A, one either side of cone B, representing the opposition's pressing line; player C waits behind each mannequin. Two or three players at each cone and mannequin. One ball per circuit; with 10 or more players set up two circuits.
Development
- 1A plays a low, firm pass to B's far foot; B has checked over the shoulder before receiving.
- 2B moves off the cone as the pass is played, receives with an oriented touch forward and passes between the mannequins to player C, who has come inside to offer.
- 3Rotation: A follows the pass and takes B's place; B takes C's place; C dribbles the ball back to cone A and restarts.
- 4Variation 1: a defender presses B from behind; B decides to play back to A if the pressure arrives before the ball, or to turn towards C if there is space.
- 5Variation 2: if the defender presses hard, A can play straight to C and B plays a one-two with C around the mannequin.
- 6Variation 3: the defender actively tries to win the ball at any point of the sequence.
Coaching points4
- Scan before receiving to decide fast: the information is gathered before the ball arrives.
- Receive with the foot furthest from the ball and the defender, body half-open.
- Move off the cone at the right moment: A's pass is the trigger.
- Head up after the touch to choose between progressing or playing back.
Common mistakes3
- Receiving with the near foot and ending up with the back to C.
- Moving off the cone too early and losing the element of surprise on the defender.
- Forcing the turn when the defender is already tight instead of playing back to A.
Variations3
- Pass between the lines alternating the left and right mannequin.
- C returns to B after the one-two and B finishes with a long pass to a fourth cone.
- Replace the mannequins with two passive defenders who open or close the line.
Progressions2
- Active defender on B who can win the ball: if he does, he swaps roles with B.
- Add a second ball from the other mannequin to double the repetitions.
Regressions2
- 10 m distances and no mannequins until the oriented touch is clean.
- No defender: just pass, oriented touch and pass between the lines.
Tips
- Insist on the look over the shoulder before every reception; praise it out loud.
- Place the mannequins so that the pass to C genuinely has to travel between them.