Week 15

Outcomes

• ✓Players can check their shoulder before receiving the ball
• ✓Players can open their body to receive on the half-turn rather than facing their own goal
• ✓Players can control the ball with the far foot to protect from a defender
• ✓Players can play a forward pass immediately after a half-turn receive

Equipment

• 12 size-4 balls
• 20 disc cones
• 4 small goals
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Individual free grid.

   How to run it: Each player dribbles alone. Coach calls 'check!' — player stops ball with sole, glances over one shoulder, then drives ball 5 yards in the direction they just looked. Repeat 8 times, alternating shoulder checks.

   • ›Glance is quick — 1 second — then act
   • ›Drive with purpose after the check

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Two lines, 10 yards apart.

   How to run it: Players perform walking hip rotations, lateral lunge stretches, and arm circles across. Then jog with random 'half-turn' calls from coach — on call, player pivots 90° without the ball, looks behind them, then continues jogging.

   • ›Pivot is light and balanced — weight on the balls of feet
   • ›Eyes open wide on the look

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Three cones in a straight line: A (passer), B (receiver 10 yds ahead), C (forward target 8 yds beyond B). Groups of 3.

   How to run it: A passes to B. B has opened their body sideways — they receive on the half-turn and immediately lay the ball off to C. C dribbles around to become the new A. After 5 minutes, place a passive defender 2 yards behind B to reinforce the need for body shape. Switch roles every 3 passes.

   • ›Open hips before the ball arrives, not after
   • ›Use the inside of the far foot to cushion the ball away from the imaginary defender
   • ›Sight line: see both A and C simultaneously before receiving

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: Rondo 5v2 in a 10×10 yd box.

   How to run it: Outer players keep possession. A bonus pass is awarded whenever a player receives on the half-turn (body open) and plays forward. Two defenders press; they swap when they win the ball. Outer players count consecutive passes including bonus passes.

   • ›Show for the ball on an angle, not directly behind the defender
   • ›Half-turn receive sets up forward play instantly
   • ›If half-turn is not possible, protect the ball and recycle

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 4v4, 25×18 yd, small goals.

   How to run it: Standard match play. Coach awards 1 bonus point to a team each time a player demonstrably receives on the half-turn. Coach narrates: 'Great half-turn, Hearts red!' to reinforce. Swap GK roles every 5 minutes.

   • ›Receive facing sideways, not facing your own goal
   • ›The first touch should set you up for the next action
   • ›Quick transitions: win it, turn, attack

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Quad and hip-flexor stretches. Coach stands sideways to demonstrate full half-turn body shape. Players mirror the shape standing still.

   • ›Body open = seeing more of the field
   • ›Half-turn is a habit built by checking your shoulder every time

Outcomes

• ✓Players can read when to open their body based on pressure behind them
• ✓Players can break a defensive line with one pass after receiving on the half-turn
• ✓Players can combine quickly after a half-turn receive
• ✓Players can make a supporting run to offer the half-turn option to a teammate

Equipment

• 10 size-4 balls
• 24 disc cones
• 4 small goals
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Free grid with one ball per player.

   How to run it: Dribble freely. On 'check!', players open their body, look behind them without stopping, and continue. Add: on 'turn!', players must find a partner within 3 yards, open their body, and receive a pass from that partner.

   • ›Stay on the move — the half-turn is a dynamic action
   • ›Quick scan, quick decision

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Pairs, 8 yards apart, one ball per pair.

   How to run it: Partners pass back and forth while moving: both walk laterally across the grid, always staying parallel. Progress to a jog. On 'half-turn!', the receiver opens body and redirects the pass diagonally to a third cone.

   • ›Keep the passing rhythm going — no standing still
   • ›Body shape happens before the ball arrives

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 4-cone diamond: A at back, B left, C right, D forward (each 10 yards apart). Groups of 4.

   How to run it: A plays to B; B receives on half-turn and plays to D; D lays off to C; C plays back to A. Rotate positions every 5 passes. Progress: the centre player (B or D) must call 'half' to signal they're opening before receiving.

   • ›The diamond player must be sideways before the ball arrives
   • ›Play forward when possible — B to D, not back to A
   • ›Communication: call early to guide the passer's decision

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v2 possession box 12×12 yd. Two floaters play with whichever team has the ball (6v2 effective).

   How to run it: Attackers keep possession. Defenders win the ball or force it out. Floaters must always receive on the half-turn — if they receive flat-footed/facing their goal, possession turns over automatically. Track rounds of 10+ consecutive passes.

   • ›Floaters are the link — they must be open before calling for it
   • ›Attackers: play to the floater when defenders are close to teammates
   • ›Defenders: press the floater to remove the option

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 on 30×22 yd, small goals.

   How to run it: Open match. Constraint: when a player receives with their back to goal, they cannot turn — they must lay off or find a half-turn angle first. This rule is lifted for players in the final third. Coach enforces gently with a quick cone tap on the ground.

   • ›Know your surroundings before the ball comes
   • ›A half-turn receive unlocks a forward pass and puts defenders on the back foot
   • ›After laying off, immediately make a forward run

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Gentle hamstring and groin stretches. Coach asks: 'Give me one example from today where the half-turn created a chance.' One or two players share. Clap for each answer.

   • ›Body shape is a decision made before the ball arrives
   • ›Half-turn = more vision = better decisions