THE FOUNDATION
Receiving Is More Than Stopping The Ball
A good receiver does not simply bring the football under control.
The player receives in a way that prepares the next action.
That might mean turning forward, escaping pressure, protecting possession or setting up the next pass.
BEFORE THE BALL
Receiving Starts Before Your First Touch
Players often focus entirely on controlling the football.
But good receiving begins before the ball reaches you.
You need information about defenders, teammates and available space.
Scan
Look around before the ball arrives.
Position
Adjust your body so useful areas of the field remain visible.
Decide
Know whether you want to turn, protect, pass or carry the ball.
AWARENESS
Scan Before Receiving
Scanning gives you information before you have possession.
Look over your shoulder and identify where pressure is coming from.
Also look for space and teammates that may become available after your first touch.
The more you know before receiving, the less time you need after receiving.
BODY POSITION
Receive With An Open Body
When possible, avoid standing completely square toward the player passing to you.
A slightly open body position can allow you to see both the passer and more of the field ahead.
This can make forward play faster and help you recognize pressure earlier.
Limited View
The player mainly sees the passer and may need extra touches to turn.
More Options
The player can see more of the field and potentially play forward sooner.
RECEIVING TECHNIQUE
Receiving On The Back Foot
When your body is open, the foot farther from the passer is often called the back foot.
Receiving with this foot can allow the ball to travel across your body and help you face forward more quickly.
It is useful when there is space to turn and no immediate defender preventing the action.
LET IT TRAVEL
Receive Across Your Body
Sometimes the best first touch is not toward the ball.
Allowing the pass to travel across your body can move the football away from one side and into a better position for the next action.
This can be especially useful when you want to turn into space.
TURNING
Turn When The Space Is Available
Turning forward can immediately make an attack more dangerous.
But turning is only the correct decision when the space behind you is available.
If a defender is tight behind you, trying to turn may expose the ball.
Turn
If the area behind you is open, use the first touch to face forward.
Protect
If the defender is tight, secure the ball before attempting to turn.
Set The Ball
If a teammate is in a better position, combine rather than forcing the turn.
PRESSURE
Know Which Side The Defender Is On
A defender's position should influence your first touch.
If pressure comes from your left, moving the ball toward your right may help protect it.
This requires scanning before receiving rather than discovering the pressure after your first touch.
Your first touch should respond to the space and pressure around you.
FIRST TOUCH
Touch Into The Next Action
The direction and distance of your first touch should depend on what you want to do next.
Prepare The Passing Foot
Place the ball where the next pass can be made quickly.
Move Into Space
Use the touch to take the ball into the open area.
Keep It Safe
Keep the ball close when pressure is immediate.
Push Into Space
Use a larger touch when open space allows you to accelerate forward.
BOTH FEET
Receive From Either Side
Players who can receive confidently with either foot have more options.
The ball may arrive from different angles and pressure may remove one side.
Training both feet makes it easier to adapt without taking unnecessary adjustment touches.
TRAINING PROGRESSION
Build Receiving & Turning Gradually
Basic Receiving
Learn clean first-touch technique.
Open Body Position
Receive while seeing more of the field.
Back-Foot Receiving
Allow the ball to travel across the body.
Add Turns
Receive and move immediately into another direction.
Add Pressure
Use defenders to influence the first touch and turning decision.
Add Decisions
Choose whether to turn, protect, pass or carry.
THE COURSE
8 Receiving & Turning Guides
Work through the guides in order or choose the area of your receiving game that needs the most improvement.
Receiving Basics
Learn the fundamental technique, body position and awareness needed to receive the ball cleanly.
Receiving On The Back Foot
Learn how back-foot receiving can help you face forward and continue play more quickly.
Receiving Across The Body
Learn when to allow the ball to travel across your body and into useful space.
Turning With The Ball
Develop simple and effective turns for changing direction after receiving.
First Touch Away From Pressure
Use your first touch to escape the defender and protect possession.
Receiving Between The Lines
Learn how to receive in dangerous central spaces and decide whether to turn or combine.
Receiving Under Pressure
Maintain control and make better decisions when defenders reduce your time and space.
Receiving & Turning Training
Put everything together with a progressive training plan for receiving and turning.
TRAINING PRINCIPLE
Do Not Predetermine Every Turn
Repeating turning techniques can help build coordination.
But in a match, the player must decide whether turning is actually the correct action.
As skill improves, training should include defenders, space and multiple options.
COMMON MISTAKES
Receiving & Turning Mistakes
Not Scanning
The player receives without knowing where pressure or space is located.
Standing Square
The body position makes forward play more difficult.
Stopping Every Ball
The first touch kills the ball even when space is available to move forward.
Turning Into Pressure
The player attempts to face forward without checking the defender's position.
Using Only One Foot
The player takes unnecessary touches to move the ball onto the preferred side.
SKILL SUMMARY
Remember These Seven Ideas
Receiving should prepare the next action, not simply stop the ball.
Scan before receiving to locate defenders, teammates and space.
Use an open body position when it gives you more useful options.
Back-foot receiving can help you face forward more quickly.
Turn when space is available rather than forcing the action.
Use the first touch to move away from pressure.
Progress training into pressure and realistic decisions.
Receiving Basics
Start by learning the fundamental body position, first touch and awareness needed for effective receiving.