Week 4 - Receiving Across the Body
Module: Master The Opponent: 7-12 Years Old Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model Original Location: https://www.skool.com/coachingacademy/classroom/62d426ee
Session Focus
Receiving Across the Body
Developing the ability to receive and turn in one movement. This week focuses on taking touches across the body to open up the field and change direction quickly. Players learn to scan before receiving, position their body correctly, and execute technically demanding first touches.
Building the technical skill and awareness to receive and turn away from pressure.
Structure & Flow of Session
1. Ball Mastery Warm-Up (10 mins)
Touch Across Rondo
Rondo where players must take their first touch across their body (inside of far foot). Develops the habit of opening up with the first touch.
- Receiving player must take touch across body
- Defender presses immediately after the pass
- High tempo with quick rotations
Coach Prompts:
- “Which foot do you receive with?”
- “Where should your body be facing before the ball arrives?”
- “Can you scan and decide before the ball comes?”
2. Contextual Game Scenario (15 mins)
Turn and Play Forward
Players receive with back to goal, take a touch across body, and play forward. Progression: add defenders, reduce time, increase distance.
- Start with passive defender, progress to active
- Vary the angles of delivery
- Reward successful turns and forward play
Coach Prompts:
- “Did you know where the defender was?”
- “Was your touch too heavy or too light?”
- “What’s your first thought after turning?”
3. Small Sided Game (15 mins)
Directional Game with Target Players
SSG where teams must play to a target player who then turns and plays forward. Encourages receiving across body in realistic situations.
- Target players on end lines
- Must receive and turn before passing forward
- Rotate target players regularly
Coach Prompts:
- “How did you protect the ball when receiving?”
- “Did you play with your back foot?”
- “What option did you have after turning?”
4. Match-Related Play (15-20 mins)
4v4 Free Play
Unstructured game where players apply receiving skills naturally. Coach observes and provides minimal intervention.
- No specific constraints
- Celebrate successful turns
- Note patterns of play
Key Coaching Points
Receiving Across Body:
- Scan before the ball arrives
- Body position half-turned
- Receive with back foot (across body)
- Touch into space away from pressure
Common Errors:
- Receiving with front foot (limits options)
- Not scanning before receiving
- Touch too heavy or into pressure
- Body too square to passer
Why This Structure Works
- Warm-up isolates the technique
- Contextual practice adds decision-making
- SSG applies skill under game pressure
- Free play allows natural expression
This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy - Use The 360TFT Game Model