Prepare the first decision
10 minPlayers this activity: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 · 6 attending
Begin at walking pace in the numbered stations. Walk toward a line, turn before crossing it and point to the space the ball will enter. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Slow before the turn; accelerate into space. The braking touch precedes the change of direction.
Run the activity
- Walk toward a line, turn before crossing it and point to the space the ball will enter.
- Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
- Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The braking touch precedes the change of direction.
Play
- Walk toward a line, turn before crossing it and point to the space the ball will enter.
- Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The braking touch precedes the change of direction.
If you see: A large touch carries the player over the line.
Try: Start nearer the line and make the approach at walking pace.
Organisation
3 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
7 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 420s activity · 60s briefing · 60s rest · 60s transition.
Adjust the challenge
Easier: Practise one inside turn from a stationary ball.
Next step: Choose a different turning foot on the return journey.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for turn and return.
20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 3 numbered stations, 6 numbered player slots, 3 balls and 10 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Change direction into an open exit. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show stop turn using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Settle the ball: Use small touches and stay balanced. 2. Stop and look: Keep the ball close enough to stop. 3. Turn into space: Turn only after checking the new route.
Round-by-round player roles
| Round | Assignments |
|---|---|
| 1 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
| 2 · 60s | 1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3) |
| 3 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
| 4 · 60s | 1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3) |
| 5 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
| 6 · 60s | 1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3) |
| 7 · 60s | 1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3) |
Equipment: 3 balls · 10 cones · 0 goals
Round-by-round player roles
C = carrier · R = receiver / shadow. Times are activity seconds; briefing, rest and transition are separate.
| Player | Station | R1 60s | R2 60s | R3 60s | R4 60s | R5 60s | R6 60s | R7 60s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | C | R | C | R | C | R | C |
| 2 | 2 | C | R | C | R | C | R | C |
| 3 | 3 | C | R | C | R | C | R | C |
| 4 | 1 | R | C | R | C | R | C | R |
| 5 | 2 | R | C | R | C | R | C | R |
| 6 | 3 | R | C | R | C | R | C | R |