Learning to Turn into Tight Spaces
The middle third is often where the game is controlled – when neither team controls the middle third of the pitch, the game’s momentum rapidly shifts back and forth.
You never want to give the other team the space they want in the middle third because it allows them to comfortably carry the ball up the field and advance into the attacking third, putting all the pressure on your defenders to hold down the fort.
So, when you receive the ball in the middle third, there’s a good chance a defender will be charging your way to pressure you. The key to keeping the ball is using the defender’s momentum against them.
Turning Under Pressure
Picture this: you’re a CM right at the center circle, and your Center Back passes you the ball. As the ball is coming your way, you scan behind you and notice a CM from the other team, charging full-speed in your direction. You have no time to hesitate.
You likely have two options at this point: either drop the ball back to your teammate, or turn away from the oncoming defender while shielding the ball with your body.
How Turning Opens Up Tight Spaces
While this is obvious – taking your first touch away from the defender and shielding the ball with your body while doing so creates a lot of space for you to work with – it’s very hard to do in the split second you have to scan, interpret the direction the defender is going and react. It’s one of the reasons wall passing is so important: receiving the ball with the correct foot without thinking about it opens up the opportunity to focus on what you should be doing next.
Once you master one or two turns in both directions, you should be ready to make quick decisions on what to do with the ball, not just receiving it.
Getting Used to Reacting Quickly
The secret to playing at a high speed is learning to make decisions at a high speed.
Just like any other technique, turning away from a defender is much easier to learn when you’ve seen it done time and time again. That’s why we created BGTV, a massive library of professional footage organized by position. Each clip features high-level players making smart decisions and executing essential techniques - like taking their first touch into space - with breakdowns explaining exactly how the player knew what to do in this situation.
Watching professional footage strengthens your soccer IQ, cementing these techniques into your memory. Instead of wondering what to do when you receive the ball, you’ll remember the footage you watched and take action.
Ready to check out BGTV? Use code FREEMONTH1 to get the first month free.
