Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Receive inside the team shape · Intermediate

Can You Turn?

Look before the ball arrives. Turn when you have room; use your support when you don’t.

What the coach says

  1. You’ve received in midfield. Before turning, have a look over your shoulder.
  2. The defender has moved across. There’s room straight ahead.
  3. You’re the midfielder on the ball. Is there room to turn toward goal?
  4. Take the ball into that space. You can face their goal now.
  5. The nearest defender has moved to your right. The space directly ahead is clear.
  6. Bring it back. Let’s see what changes when the defender chooses differently.
  7. Same position, different pressure. This defender stays right in front of you.
  8. Look again. What would you do with this first touch?
  9. Give it back to your teammate. You’ve kept the ball and can find another angle.
  10. Look before the ball arrives. Turn when you have room; use your support when you don’t.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    You’re the midfielder on the ball. Is there room to turn toward goal?

    • No—play back this time
    • Yes—turn into the space ahead

    Coach’s explanation: The nearest defender has moved to your right. The space directly ahead is clear.

  2. Question 2

    Look again. What would you do with this first touch?

    • Return the ball to your support
    • Turn straight toward goal

    Coach’s explanation: The defender is in the space you would turn into. Your teammate behind you offers a clear pass.

  3. Question 3

    The defender has moved across to your right. Tap the space you turn into.

    • Back toward our own goal
    • Straight ahead toward goal
    • Toward the defender on the right

    Coach’s explanation: The defender left the middle, so you can turn and face their goal.

  4. Question 4

    You receive in midfield. Which picture gives you room to turn toward goal?

    • Defender moves across
    • Defender presses up close
    • Defender stays in front

    Coach’s explanation: The defender has moved across, so the space straight ahead is clear to turn into.

  5. Question 5

    This time the defender slides to your left instead. What should your first touch do?

    • Pass back to your support
    • Turn into the space straight ahead
    • Turn left into the defender

    Coach’s explanation: The middle is empty again, so you turn and face their goal.

Play it on the island