Turning to Find Space
Coach: Renata Lawson
Club: Copper Mountain Soccer Club
Role: Director of Coaching
Qualification: USSF “C” (United States)
Date: September 27, 2022
Duration: 1 hour
Age Group: U8–U18
Session Objective
Improve players’ ability to move forward by turning into space.
Warm-Up: Moves of the Day
Description
The coach calls on a player to demonstrate a turning move they know that helps them change direction. The coach names the move and has all players practice it while dribbling.
Use this time to ensure every player understands the technique. If time allows, have each player demonstrate a move so the entire group can try it.
Coaching Points
- Chop into the ball to keep it close
- Accelerate with a burst of speed after the move
- Once the move is comfortable, challenge players to perform it faster
Activity 1: Roxborough Windows+
Description
Start with one-third of the players (3–4) in the middle of a circle, each with a ball.
- Middle players pass to a player positioned on a cone
- After passing, they follow their pass and take the cone spot
- The receiving player dribbles into the middle, performs a turning move, and finds another cone player to pass to
This cycle continues so players are constantly passing, moving, and turning.
If there are 10 players, aim for at least 5 balls circulating. One or two balls may start with players on cones who dribble into the middle.
Coaching Points
- Explode with a burst of speed after turning
- Don’t slow down—keep turning to find open teammates
- Encourage communication, especially from cone players
- Reinforce passing technique: locked ankle, toes up and out
- Emphasize pass and move, running around the passing lane after the pass
Activity 2: 4 Gate Game
Description
Set up four gates, each 4–5 yards wide, at the corners of a 20×20 yard grid.
- Divide players into two teams
- Send out the first three players from each team
- Teams score by passing through a gate and having a teammate receive or take the first touch
Players may score from either side of a gate. Play for 1.5–2 minutes, then rotate in the next group of players. No out-of-bounds is needed.
Coaching Points
- Attack open space quickly before it closes
- The player on the ball should be constantly moving and turning
- Form triangles with teammates
- Pass away from pressure
- Off-the-ball players must support by creating passing lanes, running to open gates, and calling for the ball
Activity 3: Scrimmage
Description
Scrimmage with emphasis on:
- Throw-ins
- Building out of the back (use the halfway line as the build-out line)
Coaching Points
- Maintain speed on the ball
- Turn to find an open player and play forward when possible
- Accelerate after turning
- Reinforce passing technique
- Pass and move
- Play away from pressure
- Form triangles to support the player on the ball
- Communicate consistently