Cruyff and drag-back turns under pressure

Setup

1. Mark a 25 × 20 m grid with a cone line across the middle.
2. Put two 3 m gates on the start line, one near each corner.
3. Attackers queue with a ball at the middle of the start line; one defender waits at the far end.

How it runs

1. The attacker dribbles at the far end; the defender comes out once the attacker crosses the middle line.
2. When the defender gets close, the attacker turns with a Cruyff or a drag-back and escapes through either gate.
3. The defender scores by winning the ball and stopping it on the far line.
4. Swap defender every 4 goes; play 3 rounds of 3 minutes.

Coaching points

• Go at the defender with speed so they have to commit.
• Turn when the defender is about 2 m away, not earlier.
• Keep your body between the defender and the ball as you turn.
• Explode for 3–4 m out of the turn.

Common mistakes

• Turning too early, so the defender just follows.
• Slowing down after the turn instead of accelerating away.
• Looking at the ball the whole time and not at the defender.