Futsal · Pivot play · Shooting
Pivot: receive, shield and turn
The pivot receives with their back to goal, feels the defender, turns away from them and shoots.
Start / 5
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- 4–10
- Age
- U12+
- Area
- Half court
- Equipment
- 8 futsal balls1 goal2 bibs
Setup
- A pivot (P) at the edge of the area with a defender (D1) behind them.
- A feeder (F) with balls at halfway, and a goalkeeper.
How it runs
- P checks short to get free; F passes into P's feet.
- P receives on the sole with their back to goal and shields from D1.
- P feels which way D1 leans, turns the other way and shoots.
- F follows in for rebounds. Rotate after six balls.
Coaching points
- Low and wide stance, back into the defender, forearm out to feel them.
- Receive on the foot furthest from the defender.
- Use contact to read the defender: they lean one way, you turn the other.
- Roll the ball with the sole on the turn so it stays close.
- Shoot early after the turn, low across the keeper.
Common mistakes
- Turning into the defender's side.
- Standing upright and getting pushed off the ball.
- Taking extra touches after the turn and letting the defender recover.
Say it: “Feel, turn away, shoot.”
Make it harder
- D1 is fully active; if they win it, they score on a small goal at halfway.
- P has three seconds to turn and shoot.
Make it easier
- D1 holds a set side so P knows which way to turn.
- P can lay it back to F if the turn isn't on.
Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.