Back To A Defender

Players: 3+ | Difficulty: 1 & 2 |

Description: Turning or Opening Up from an air pass with your back to a defender.

Application: Learning options for when a players back is to a defender. Whether to play a safe pass and open up, or beat a defender in a low success scenario.

FOR EXERCISE 1

Players: 3+ | Difficulty: 1

Instructions

1. Player B calls for the ball from Player A.

2. Player A throws a high ball to Player B.

3. Player B must either:

   1. Control & Turn around poll.

   2. Control, Faint, & Turn around poll.

   3. Use first touch to Turn around poll into space.

4. Player B passes the ball to Player C, and then receives another high ball from them and repeats.

Setup

• 3 Cones spaced apart 5 yards.

• 1-3 Balls (The more available, the faster pace the drill).
  

Rotation

• Middle player switches every X repetitions.

Coaching Points

• The turn must be "game like".

• Faints are the first progression. Adding deception while controlling a ball out the air with their back to the target space is a very difficult turn to make.

• Can limit touches.

• Of course, the goals can be changed.

• Even though turning in this scenario isn't preferred, teaching confidence in tricky scenarios can go a long way.

• Have the player understand how difficult these types of turns are compared to the second drill.

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FOR EXERCISE  2

Players: 3+ | Difficulty: 2

Instructions

1. Player B calls for the ball from Player A.

2. Player A throws a high ball to Player B.

3. While tossing them the ball, Player A shouts a specific instruction.

4. Player B checks their shoulder & then must either:

   1. Pass the ball back and open up. ("BACK")

   2. Control & Turn around poll. ("CONTROL & TURN")

   3. Control, Faint, & Turn around poll. ("FAINT & TURN")

   4. Use first touch to Turn around poll into space. ("TURN")

5. Player B passes the ball to Player C, and then receives another high ball from them and repeats.

Setup

• 3 Cones spaced apart 5 yards.

• 1-3 Balls (The more available, the faster pace the drill).
  

Rotation

• Middle player switches every X repetitions.

Coaching Points

• Even though turning in this scenario isn't preferred, teaching confidence in tricky scenarios can go a long way.

• Have the player understand how difficult these types of turns are compared to opening up for a 1-2, but don't discourage flair or individualism. All great players have multiple options in their locker for a given scenario.

• The turn must be "game like".

• Players should be checking their shoulders.

• The drills main goal is about: adding deception while controlling a ball out the air with their back to the target space. This can be accomplished through a 1-2 or a turn.

• Can limit touches.

• Of course, the goals can be changed.