Let’s talk about different ways to turn with the soccer ball that will catch defenders by surprise. Advanced players should be introduced to these 5 turns. Younger or novice players need to first get the fundamentals down. Forwards and midfielders are who would use these turns most. In soccer you think about a player dribbling and then turning, right? These drills below are more for quick turns while receiving the ball.
1st touch turns top youths struggle with
Not long ago I went to watch the U13 Girls National Championship in Frisco, TX.
I wanted to see the highest level of play for this age group in America.
Also because 4 of the girls on the Texas team are girls train with me privately.
There were boys and girls teams from all over the nation all the way up to U19.
College coaches everywhere, but this U13 girls game had the most people watching.
Although these two teams each had youth national team players, there were weaknesses.
Here’s what I noticed in terms of skill level and areas to improve.
Not Too Many could Perform 1st TOUCH Skills out of Pressure!
Turning the complete opposite way with only 1-touch is something that you won’t see very often at any level.
5 ways to turn like nobody else [out of the air]
- INSIDE OF THE FOOT taking only 1 touch out of the air will really surprise the defender.
- TOP OF FOOT as the ball comes at you low in the air. Both allow you to end up going the opposite way you were facing. This skill is good for all positions. Even defenders how are under pressure as the ball is getting to them. Or a forward or midfielder who receives the ball as its coming to them in the air at their feet. If the player can just let it hit the top of their toes to let the ball keep traveling the same way it came from. You would end up turning your body to get away from the pressure.
- CRUYFF TURN or ANY PART OF THE FOOT can be from the ball coming on the ground or in the air. It’s just a small touch of the foot to redirect the ball go the opposite way you were facing. This is a turn you will see younger youth players a different levels doing. This is something you see and know it took practice but at the same time it’s not too difficult, though it’s brilliant at the same time.
- CHEST TURN which you could end up dribbling, passing or shooting all in just 1 seconds time.
- THIGH TO FOOT or GROUND would be where the ball is coming at you in the air to your thigh and you are able to redirect the ball going away from the pressure or towards the player or goal. Forwards would use this most. Most people don’t think of or practice this type of skill, instead they do tricks or just ‘kick the ball’. I have vented the difference from good and professional trainers about players working on their own or with a trainer doing the same old things, wasting potential.
Next level skills [turning on your 1st touch]
These types of things might look like something only a pro would do, but it’s not that hard.
If you practice and stay patient, you’ll get it!
You have to plant these seeds [ideas] in your head.
If you never try, it won’t happen.
I love to get a text or email from a parent saying how their kid just scored a goal the exact same way we were practicing days before. It’s not a coincidence that players score more goals when they train that way.
What you don’t see players doing and why
FULL 180˚ TURN is something you just don’t see.
The reason is because it’s hard enough with no pressure in repetition settings.
Then imagine adding pressure with fatigue and other options.
You will get something besides the 1st touch turns out of pressure.
This is something you don’t see very often at the youth level.
Players don’t practice this enough to be able to perform under pressure.
Even at the highest youth levels there are always areas to improve in.
First touch out of the air, away from pressure and keeping the ball is one.
A full 180˚ turn is hard enough with no pressure in repetition settings.
Players also struggle with a skill that is not a turn with the soccer ball: HIGH BOUNCING BALLS.
These come at a player who has to backpedal during the trap & as pressure is coming.
It’s like the players don’t know to chest or head and if they are able to do either they seem to lose control.
2 best turns you want to know [ball on the ground]
Turning while receiving – like this is a MUST KNOW and PRACTICE for all positions.
- Turning with the inside of the back foot by getting half way turned. Great for when you have space.
- Using the outside of the foot to turn quick.
Turn with the soccer ball under pressure
The first 2 things I think of when turning with only 1-touch is either using the top of the foot to redirect the ball.
The other would be using the chest to turn and shoot.
Some of you will remember James Rodriguez’s Goal in the World Cup.
James received the ball with his back to goal and in just 2 total touches the ball was in the net.
The ball never even hit the ground. Watching the pros will help you know when to turn with the soccer ball.
Turn and change your speed
When you are first learning how to perform a skill it’s best to do it slow.
Once you start to get it smooth, practice it fast.
This way in a game you’re able to do it smooth and fast if needed.
When playing at a high level it’s important to do things fast.
It’s important to know that every move shouldn’t be fast.
You want to sometimes move slower, just so you can change your speed and surprise the defenders.
The next generation is here
One of the GFT players, Oli Pena #10 [TCU starter], was one of my first ever clients when I started Global Futbol Training.
It’s cool to watch this video of her when she was 8 years old.
Then at U17 a testimonial from Oli and Samiah before they went to play college soccer.
To keep seeing our younger players grow older is amazing.
You see them growing on and off the field.
This new generation of teens are now the players we started working with when they were 6 and 7 years old!
I remember teaching these players the basics up to the more challenging intense drills.
It has been a pleasure to watch them all grow!
Our kids who are in college now were already pretty good when we first got them at ages 12 & 14.
But now is different because it’s the kids who were just starting out in soccer when we started training them.
This makes it so special to see these players improve.
Whether it’s the top players on the top teams or the players working hard to make the HS teams.
Special thanks to all the soccer parents
Even though their parents say GFT is a big reason they are where they are.
Without the parents unselfishness to give their kids the best opportunity, this development can’t happen.
Of course the kids have to work hard & have talent too.
I, as a trainer, am just a small reason they are so good.
There’s a saying “it takes a village”.
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