Exercises › Technique

Agility with and without the ball: turning on an angle

• 10 min
• 4–16 players
• 5v5
• 7v7
• 9v9
• Technique & Skills
• Football fitness

A few cones as gates in an area. First round without a ball: the player runs towards a cone, changes direction on an angle and turns quickly, with a friend as a passive defender. Second round with a ball: the same movement, but now the player decides whether to turn or feint. Explain the difference: if you go straight at the defender you have to dribble past, but if you go on an angle you force the defender to move and can both feint and turn. Let the players try both. The image shows the turn on an angle through two gates, with a passive defender at the side.

What the coach should look for

• Go on an angle: then the defender has to move.
• Change pace after the turn.
• Soft knees and big movements.
• Try both a turn and a feint, choose yourself.

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