Turn and go soccer drill

Turn and go is a drill in which a player dribbles to a line, turns sharply with the ball and speeds away in the other direction. It trains the three basic turns, the drag-back, the inside hook and the outside hook, and the burst of speed that makes a turn work.

Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.

Turn and go: setup diagram

Turn and go setupSetup diagram of an area 20 yards wide and 10 yards long, seen from above, with a cone on each corner. Gold dots are attackers or players with a ball and dark green dots are defenders; small triangles are cones, dashed arrows are runs without the ball, wavy gold arrows are dribbles. Four players dribble up from the bottom line, turn at the top line and speed back.123420 x 10 yd (18 x 9 m)
Four players dribble up from the bottom line, turn at the top line and speed back. Gold: attackers. Triangles: cones. Dashed arrow: run. Wavy arrow: dribble. Open this diagram as a picture.

At a glance

DetailFor this drill
AgesU8 to U12 (ages 7 to 12)
PlayersAny number, one ball each
Space20 x 10 yd (18 x 9 m)
EquipmentOne ball per player; two lines of cones 10 yards apart
Time8 to 10 minutes
SkillDribbling and ball mastery

Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.

How to run it

  1. Mark two lines 10 yards apart. Every player starts on one line with a ball.
  2. Dribble to the far line, turn, and dribble back. First let players turn any way they like.
  3. Teach the drag-back: put the sole on top of the ball, pull it back behind you, and turn to follow it.
  4. Teach the inside hook: reach past the ball and chop it back with the inside of the foot. Then the outside hook: the same with the outside of the foot.
  5. Each turn ends with three fast steps. Count how many turns each player makes in 45 seconds.
  6. Finish with pairs: one player dribbles and turns, the partner shadows them and tries to stay level.

Coaching points to say out loud

  • “Slow in, fast out.”
  • “Turn away from the defender.”
  • “Low and bent knees.”
  • “Explode for three steps.”

Make it easier or harder

  • Easier

    Let players stop the ball first, then turn. Teach one turn per practice, not all three.

  • Harder

    The coach calls “turn!” at any moment instead of using the line. Or a passive defender walks beside the player, who must turn to the side away from them.

Common mistakes

  • Turning in a wide curve like a bus. A turn is sharp: the ball changes direction in one touch.
  • Turning and then jogging. Without the burst, the defender catches up.
  • Turning toward the defender. Keep your body between the ball and the opponent.

Why it matters in a game

A turn is how a player keeps the ball when the way forward is shut. Our lessons on receiving teach the same decision: check the space first, turn into room when there is some, and give the ball back when there is not.

The lesson that teaches it: Look, Then Turn or Return.

Do it at home

Two markers, ten steps apart, in the yard. Five drag-backs, five inside hooks, five outside hooks, then the same with the other foot.

Questions about Turn and go

  • What is the easiest turn to teach first?

    The drag-back. Sole on top of the ball, pull it behind you, turn and go. Most seven-year-olds get it in one practice.

  • When should a player turn in a game?

    When a defender blocks the way forward and there is room behind or to the side. If a defender is tight behind you as well, a pass back is the better choice.

  • How do I teach turning with the weaker foot?

    Give double points for it. Players choose what scores, so make the weak foot worth more.

Lessons that teach this idea

Related drills and guides

Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.

Play the lesson: Look, Then Turn or Return