Feed the ball from the front and take the first touch across the body into the open receiving gate.
Setup
Make a small receiving gate with two markers. The feeder stands a few metres away and passes gently toward the player's front foot. Leave space behind the gate so the first touch has somewhere to go.
Steps
- Start side-on to the feeder with the nearest foot ready to receive.
- Let the ball travel across the body instead of stopping it under the feet.
- Take the first touch through the gate on the far side.
- Open the body and pass back with the second touch.
- Repeat from the other side.
Coaching points
- See the ball early.
- Receive with the foot furthest from the pressure.
- Make the first touch playable, not perfect.
- Open the hips before the ball arrives.
Common mistakes
- Standing square to the ball.
- Stopping the ball directly under the body.
- Taking the touch too far away.
- Adding speed before the angle is understood.
Make it easier
Roll the ball instead of passing it and make the gate wider.
Make it harder
Call left or right just before the pass, or add a passive defender behind the receiving gate.
How to know it is working
The player can receive through the gate and make the return pass without an extra recovery touch.
Safety
Use soft feeds and leave a clear lane behind the receiving player.