The first order of business is to increase the technical skill level of our players. We must get them comfortable in playing with their back to the goal in middle and attacking thirds of the field. In order to do this we will progress through a series of exercises where they are exposed to constantly increasing levels of pressure until they can perform the footskill and first touch techniques automatically. If you watch soccer at the higher levels, the Woman s National Team being a particularly good example, you will notice that many times players are situated with their back to the goal, i.e. coming forward towards their teammate to receive the ball or with their back to the goal at the top of the 18. The receiving player then either turned with the ball towards her goal, or laid it off to a teammate making a run toward the goal.
Players turn the ball against pressure to create time and space to pass, shoot, or dribble.
Players who can receive and turn the ball against intense pressure and in tight space, and who can then take on defenders to go to goal, are extremely valuable to their teams. Such players have the ability to compete and contribute at the most competitive levels. Team example, during the Brazil game the US was very successful in coming back at the ball and turning. Conversely, in the championship final the intense pressure put on the Americans by the Chinese National Team prevented the US from effectively turning in this game. The result a much tighter defensive battle that as we know ended in a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes.