Scan, open and escape

FootballOS · Activity plan

Scan, open and escape

Learning outcome: Receive from the goalkeeper on a half-turn and use the first touch to escape pressure into a forward exit.

Practice type

Skill practice

Format

Match up

Age group

U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18, Open Age

Technical

Receiving, Moving with the ball, Turning

Skills

Scanning, Timing, Movement, Positioning, Technique

Practice diagram

122⚽

Setup

Use a 20 x 25m area in front of one centrally positioned goal. The goalkeeper starts in goal with the ball. Place two exit gates at the far end, one left and one right. The receiving player starts centrally, 12–15m from goal; the defender starts 3m beyond them, between the receiver and the exit gates.

How to Play

How to start, score, transition and restart

  • 1.The goalkeeper starts every repetition and the receiver moves off the defender to create a diagonal passing lane.
  • 2.As the goalkeeper passes, the defender can press.
  • 3.The receiver scans, opens their body and uses the first touch to attack either exit gate.
  • 4.If the defender wins the ball, they have five seconds to counter and score against the goalkeeper.
  • 5.Reset with the ball at the goalkeeper. Swap the two outfield roles after four repetitions. Play three blocks of three minutes.

Aim, challenge and success

What players are learning, their task and how they succeed

  • The receiver tries to see the goalkeeper, defender and both exits before the pass arrives, receive on a half-turn and escape through either gate.
  • Score one point for exiting under control within four seconds.
  • Success is 6 points from 10 attempts while choosing the side away from pressure.

Coach these moments

What players should see, decide and do

  • Scan before moving and again while the ball travels: where are the defender, exits and goal?
  • Arrive at an angle with hips open enough to see forward and back; do not wait square to the goalkeeper.
  • Let the pressure decide the receiving action. Receive across the body when the forward side is free. receiving on the backfoot; protect or set the ball if the defender blocks the turn.
  • Make the first touch remove the defender and prepare the next action.
  • The goalkeeper passes to the receiver’s useful side rather than simply at their feet.
  • Half-turned is not a fixed pose: scanning and movement create the orientation.

Change the challenge

Simple ways to vary, ease or increase the challenge

  • Easier: start the defender 5m away, allow one second before pressing and widen the exit gates.
  • Harder: start the defender 2m away, require an exit within three seconds or prevent the same gate being used twice in succession.
  • Variation: allow one bounce pass back to the goalkeeper; the receiver must move again and find a new angle before the return pass.