RECEIVING AWAY FROM PRESSURE (TO THE BACK FOOT)
PART I
I suppose that every trainer coach or parent coach has their pet peeve when it comes to the development of players. Well, to cut to the chase, this one is mine. The fourth part of our Speed of Play philosophy is switching the field away from pressure.
In order to teach this, the mechanics on receiving the ball with the back foot needs to become second nature. When it is not, speed of play will break down and when you are playing against well-trained and disciplined teams that pressure well, react well, and now how to counter your attack, this is a critical skill for not only organization, but also its speed, and coordination.
The Back Foot – When receiving from one side of the field, do so with the foot opposite that side. Therefore, if the ball is being played from the right side of the field, we want to receive the ball with the left foot, and vice versa. The second step is to receive the ball away from the body at 45º angle so the player can turn the head, and open the hips to the whole field.
***PROBLEM*** – Too many players receive the ball on the front foot, thus keeping the ball into pressure. If they have learned to use the back foot, they play the ball straight ahead of them, thus slowing down speed of play, and forcing the ball forwards prematurely, or attempting a split or through ball that fails.
***DIAGNOSIS*** The Hips are to tight, and cannot open!
As a result, I have developed an entire S.A.Q. curriculum based on this simple yet rarely taught skill.
WARM UP
One of the coordinated exercises we use that is good for players of all ages is dynamic in nature and we call it opening the gate.
Perhaps the biggest problem that I have found in developing this skill is loosening the hips of the player. Far too many have “tight Hips”. You can teach them to receive the ball to the back foot, but they cannot open the hip enough to get the ball moving away from pressure to the intended target.
Video – Opening The Gate
WARM UP WITH THE BALL
Coordinated Touches – Get the players to focus on receiving away from pressure. If the ball is coming from the left, receive with the right, and vice versa.
This teaches the players to learn how the foot mechanics for receiving to the opposite foot, and playing away with two touches with a coordinated pattern. MAKE SURE THEIR FEET ARE MOVING. As they progress, you will notice that we try to have the ball played in two touches, and three steps.
Video – Coordinated Touches
S.A.Q.
Low Box Lateral Hops – Make sure the players open the set, stay square and keep the hips open on the box.
You can substitute Egg Crates or office crates from staples for the wooden boxes. We obviously use the wooden boxes for durability and we have an entire curriculum just for using these boxes. However, using an egg or milk crate, or office-carrying box works just as good and they are much cheaper.
Video – Low Boxes Lateral Hops
Low Box Substitute
Each week we will use a different apparatus of S.A.Q. equipment to accomplish our goal, as well as exercises that progress from this first session. Before the progression is attempted, make sure each player has a working understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.
As with anything when it comes to S.A.Q., MECHANICS are the most important.
In Speed and Soccer,
Billy Elias
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