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A group of young players in training all paired up in 1v1s working on turning.
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How to coach players on turning in football

Turning is a tricky skill, but it pays off in the game. So how can you help your players master it? This article breaks it down.

Turning
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England Football Learning logo on a red background.

England Football Learning

4 mins - Mar 14, 2023

Turning is all about changing direction, whether on or off the ball. It goes beyond a quick sidestep. It’s a deliberate move to create, exploit or even deny space.


With the ball, turning helps a player shake off defenders and keep possession. Without the ball, it lets them quickly get into space to receive. Defensively, turning your body is also an effective way of preparing to move to defend. Players need to get into position and turn their body shape to engage their opponent and try to limit their options.


There are loads of ways to turn on the ball. Here are some popular techniques:

  • One-touch.
  • No-touch.
  • Stop turn.
  • Inside hook.
  • Outside hook.
  • Drag back.
  • Stepover.
  • Cruyff.

But turning isn’t just about getting the physical actions right.


Before they turn, players have to know what’s going on around them. Where’s the space? The opposition? Their teammates? They must get into position and time the turn right. Afterwards, they need to follow up with another well-executed action, whether that’s travelling with the ball, passing or shooting.


That’s why this skill relies on six core capabilities: scanning, timing, movement, positioning, deception and technique.

Turning can also look very different depending on a player’s position. While a striker might need a tight turning circle to spin off a defender, a full-back might focus on opening their body up to switch play quickly.


Watch the video to see what the skill looks like for players at different levels of the game.

With so much involved, how do you help your players turn successfully in games?

Try using these simple strategies in training:


Encourage exploration

The more types of turns players use, the better. And there’s no single right way of executing each one. It all depends on the situation. So instead of telling players exactly what to do, provide guidance and then let them explore.


Provide lots of repetition

The more players turn, the better they’ll get at it. So don’t line them up waiting. Get them working alone or in pairs instead. Small-sided games, like 2v2 or 3v3, give endless turning opportunities, especially in narrow areas. Encourage practice outside of training, too.


Switch up positions

Different positions offer different turning experiences. Use this to your advantage by exposing players to a variety of positions to hone their technique. The result? Adaptability and creativity. They’ll better understand when and how to turn.


Add opposition

Once players are ready, include opposition in your practices. And to make it even more game-realistic, use goals. This lets players experience transitions and the change in momentum in a game. It encourages them to learn how turning in and out of possession might benefit them. Plus, needing to outwit the opposition also encourages them to explore deception.


Build the underlying capabilities

Work on the capabilities that players need to be able to turn effectively, like scanning and movement. For example, develop their agility, balance and coordination with playground games like tag, which involve stopping, switching direction and changing speed.

It’s never too early to work on turning. From the moment players start in football, provide opportunities to manipulate the ball and move with it. Turning will happen naturally.


For the youngest players, keep language simple, limit the involvement of defenders and use straightforward activities that encourage turning. For example, ask players to move the ball through gates, blocking some off so they have to turn away.


As players grow, their needs change. Your practices should too. Introduce turning challenges to small-sided games, like turning on one touch or opening out before receiving. You could even get players to track their turns on a whiteboard to keep them focused.


But ultimately, effective turning means adapting to whatever the game presents. So, whatever their age or stage, give your players the freedom to figure things out for themselves.

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