THE FOUNDATION
What Is The Back Foot?
When you receive with an open body position, one foot is normally closer to the passer and the other is farther away.
The foot farther from the passer is commonly called the back foot.
Receiving with this foot can allow the ball to travel across your body instead of stopping on the side where it arrived.
WHY USE IT?
Open The Field With Your First Touch
Imagine receiving a pass from your left.
If you are positioned correctly, receiving with your right foot may allow the ball to travel across your body toward the field ahead.
Instead of receiving and then turning, you can begin facing forward during the reception itself.
See Forward
An open body position gives you a better view of the next area.
Use Fewer Touches
The first touch can prepare the ball for the next action immediately.
Play Faster
You may be able to pass or carry forward without an extra turning touch.
BODY POSITION
Open Your Body Before The Pass Arrives
Back-foot receiving becomes difficult if your body is completely square toward the passer.
Position yourself at an angle so you can see both the ball and some of the field ahead.
You do not need to turn completely sideways. The goal is to create a position that allows the ball to travel across you.
Square To The Passer
The player may need an additional touch before facing forward.
Half-Turned
The player can receive across the body and see more of the field.
SCANNING
Check Behind You First
Back-foot receiving is not automatically the correct choice.
Before allowing the ball to travel across your body, you need to know what is waiting on the other side.
Scan over your shoulder before the pass arrives.
Receive Across
If the space is available, your back foot can help you face forward.
Protect The Ball
If a defender is tight, allowing the ball across your body may expose it.
Scan first. The information tells you whether the back-foot reception is safe.
CONTACT
Use The Inside Of The Back Foot
The inside of the foot provides a large and reliable surface for receiving.
As the ball reaches you, present the inside of the back foot and cushion the contact.
Guide the ball across your body rather than allowing it to bounce directly away.
TOUCH DIRECTION
Do Not Let The Ball Run Too Far
Receiving across your body does not mean allowing the football to roll freely away from you.
Your touch should remain controlled.
The distance depends on the space available and what you want to do next.
Small Touch
Keep the ball closer when defenders are nearby.
Larger Touch
Push farther forward when you have room to accelerate.
Set The Ball
Position the touch so the next pass can be played quickly.
NEXT ACTION
Receive Forward To Play Forward
One of the main benefits of back-foot receiving is that it can connect your first touch directly to the next action.
After receiving, you may be able to pass forward, carry into space or attack a defender.
This can increase the speed of the attack because fewer adjustment touches are needed.
WHEN NOT TO USE IT
Do Not Force The Back-Foot Reception
Back-foot receiving is a useful technique, not a rule that must be followed every time.
If a defender is already tight behind you, allowing the ball across your body can give the defender access to it.
In that situation, receiving with the nearer foot, protecting the ball or setting the pass back may be safer.
Open And Receive
Use the back foot when the next area is available.
Do Not Force It
Protect possession when turning would expose the football.
BOTH SIDES
Practice Receiving From Left And Right
The back foot changes depending on where the pass comes from.
If the ball arrives from the left, your right foot may become the back foot.
If the ball arrives from the right, your left foot may become the back foot.
Practice from both directions so the skill becomes useful throughout the field.
PRACTICE
Back-Foot Receiving Drill
Use a wall or partner and place two markers several steps apart.
Start between the markers with your body slightly open.
Receive the pass on your back foot, guide the ball across your body and then make the return pass.
Open Your Body
Position yourself at an angle before the ball arrives.
Scan
Look toward the space behind you before receiving.
Receive
Use the inside of the back foot to guide the ball across your body.
Play Forward
Use the next touch to pass or move into the new direction.
PROGRESSION
Make The Drill More Game-Like
Once the technique becomes comfortable, increase the difficulty gradually.
Increase Pass Speed
Receive firmer passes while maintaining control.
Alternate Sides
Receive from both directions and use both feet.
Add A Scan
Check over your shoulder before every reception.
Add Pressure
Introduce a defender so you must decide whether turning is safe.
PROGRESS CHECK
Test Both Sides
Complete 10 back-foot receptions from the left side and 10 from the right.
Count a repetition as successful when your first touch travels cleanly across your body and leaves you ready for the next action.
COMMON MISTAKES
Back-Foot Receiving Mistakes
Receiving With A Closed Body
The player cannot comfortably allow the ball to travel across.
Not Scanning
The player receives across the body without knowing whether a defender is waiting.
Heavy First Touch
The ball travels too far away and becomes difficult to control.
Using Only One Side
The player becomes comfortable receiving in only one direction.
Forcing The Turn
The player uses the back foot even when pressure makes the action unsafe.
GUIDE SUMMARY
Remember These Seven Ideas
The back foot is generally the foot farther from the passer.
Open your body before the ball arrives.
Scan behind you before allowing the ball to travel across your body.
Cushion the ball with the inside of the receiving foot.
Direct the first touch toward the next action.
Practice receiving from both sides with both feet.
Do not force back-foot receiving when a defender makes it unsafe.
Receiving Across The Body
Learn how to let the ball travel across your body and use your first touch to move efficiently into the next space.