Soccer Receiving and Turning Drills

Soccer receiving and turning drills to improve player's 1st-touch that often determine the direction of the attack.

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Receiving the ball effectively is key to maintaining possession and setting up successful plays in soccer. This page offers drills to help players improve their first touch, control, and positioning under pressure.

Receiving Drills

Passing to Beat the Defender MEDIUM

Passing to Beat the Defender

This passing game focuses on passing to beat the defender. This 2v2 game works on passing, moving, and finding open space behind two defenders.

9+ yrs. 8+ players 15 mins. 25X30 yds. GK: no
3.55 60,762 Chris Johnson
Triangle Combination Passing Drill MEDIUM

Triangle Combination Passing Drill

This passing drill focuses on combination play in a small area. You can concentrate on the pace of the pass, angle of the pass, the weight of the pass, timing of the runs before and after the pass, one-two’s, and movement.

9+ yrs. 3+ players 10 mins. 10X10 yds. GK: no
3.52 215,927 Chris Johnson
3-Second Transition Game Medium

3-Second Transition Game

The first three seconds after a turnover are the most important moments in any game. This drill puts your players right in the middle of that chaos and trains them to handle it. When a team wins the ball, the clock starts. They have three seconds to complete three passes or attack a target gate. That pressure forces fast thinking, quick movement, and clear communication. On the flip side, the team that just lost possession has to react just as fast. No standing still. No watching. They need to press, close space, and get compact before the other team can hurt them. This is a game-like drill that builds real habits. Players stop drifting and start making sharp, confident decisions at the exact moment it matters most. Run it often and you will see those habits show up on match day.

12+ yrs. 8 players 20 min. 20x25 yds. GK: no