Let it run: the zero-touch turn
Transcript
Let the pass run through, and you can turn without a touch. Here's how. You need a partner, a ball and three cones. On dry grass, stand ten metres apart, with a three metre gate five metres behind you. Watch. Check your shoulder, come to the ball, and let it run. Spin, and dribble it through the gate. Now up close. First, sell the touch, then let it run through. Not this, a touch that stops it. Then, spin and meet it behind you. Spin the other way every rep. Our target is three sets of eight, one minute rest. Then take the free test at footballreach.com.
What it trains
The no-touch turn: check your shoulder, shape as if to take the pass, then let it run past you, spin and take it forward with your first touch. England Football lists it among its turns and uses it in a receiving warm-up.
Set up
- A partner and a ball
- 3 cones
- 10 m apart
- 3 m gate, 5 m behind
How it works
- Stand 10 m from your partner, who has the ball at a cone. Set a 3 m gate (2 cones) 5 m behind you.
- As your partner gets ready, check over your shoulder so you know where the gate is.
- Your partner passes firmly along the ground. Come towards it and shape as if to take a touch, then let it run through without touching it.
- Spin, meet the ball behind you with your first touch and dribble through the gate.
- Jog back and spin the other way next time. Do 3 sets of 8 with 1 minute rest between, then swap roles.
Coaching points
- Sell it, let it run. Make the touch look real: come towards the ball and shape to take it, then open up at the last moment and let it run between your feet or past you without touching it.
- Spin and meet it behind. Start the spin as the ball goes past, and take your first touch a couple of steps behind your spot, already facing the gate.
Not this
Taking a touch to stop the ball before you turn. It costs you time, and a defender behind you can step in while you set it.
Dose
- Spin the other way next
- 3 sets of 8, 1 min rest
Our target: 3 sets of 8 turns, 1 minute rest between, then swap roles (the Football Reach target, not an FA rule).
Harder / Easier
Harder
Add a third player behind you as a passive defender who steps towards you as the pass is played (no tackles): check where they are and spin away from them. Then ask for firmer passes.
Easier
Ask for softer passes and widen the gate to 4 m. Or have the ball rolled gently and walk through the spin until it feels natural.
Safety
- Dry, grippy grass with space around the gate, never a road or a driveway. Spinning on wet grass can make you slip.
- Passes along the ground only, firm but controlled.
- Stop if anything hurts.
Sources
- England Football Learning - receiving skills: a football warm-up (zero-touch turn) (opens in a new tab)
- England Football Learning - how to coach turning in football (the no-touch turn) (opens in a new tab)
- England Football Learning - moving with the ball and turning: positioning to turn (opens in a new tab)
Not sure which skill to work on first? The free Football Reach test gives you a Player Development Score and shows which of the four corners of your game to work on next, in about two minutes.
Take the free test
