Back Turned Interceptions

This drill practices making interceptions when you realise your opponent is about to receive the ball.

Set up with two attackers facing each other, one with a ball. A defender stands facing the attacker without the ball (with their back turned to the other attacker).

1. The attacker with the ball passes to the side of the defender, so their teammate has to move to receive the ball - depending on player height, the passer may need to stand slightly to the side so their teammate can see them.
2. The defender sees their opponent move, and recognizes that they are about to receive the ball - by watching where they look, how their hands move, and how their body moves.
3. The defender turns and intercepts the ball.

This drill is as much about training the defender to notice and understand their opponents body language as it is about catching the ball, so make sure defenders understand the importance of watching their opponent closely.

The difficulty can be varied by encouraging the attacker to move at the last possible moment, giving the defender less time to react.

Turn this into an attacking drill by setting up a post and allowing the attacker to shoot if they receive the ball. Animation coming soon.