Playing with back to goal
Forward players, particularly the central strikers, have to often face their own players when receiving the ball.
So with their backs to their opponents goal it is vital they learn to receive the ball, often when under pressure from behind and anticipative a defensive challenge.
This requires practice, and players should first begin with a simple exercise.
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
In practice (1), 3 players (A), (B), and (S) and one ball, lining up as in diagram (1) with (S) facing (A) and (B) about 10 metres away.
(A) serves to the feet of (S), who comes forward about 1 metre, controls the ball, then with the next touch lays if off to (B).
To progress the distance between (A) and (B) can be lengthened to around 20 metres, but when this occurs the serve pass must carry more power behind it to keep the practice realistic.
Once this has been mastered, (S) must then learn to play the ball off first time, with a firm pass.
As an alternative (S) can turn with the ball.
So (A) serves (S) controls, turns and sprints off around 10 metres with the ball towards the opponents goal as in diagram (2). Good control (first touch) is essential in doing this. Players can alternate roles.
