Game version
Turn-and-track game: a partner jogs forward with a ball, and you backpedal, turn and get beside them. Swap, and the pair tries to finish together.
Turn and Recover Runs
Practice the backpedal, open-hip turn and sprint a defender uses to get back.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth soccer coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Backpedal 5 yards from the first cone.
Core: Medium. Aim for clean turns, not speed.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- 3 cones
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Pace & Agility
The steps
How it works
- Backpedal 5 yards from the first cone.
- Open your hips and turn to sprint 15 yards to the far cone.
- Walk back slowly as your rest.
- Do 6 reps turning left and 6 turning right.
Coaching point
Open the hips, do not cross your feet.
Safety: Warm up first and run on grass or a flat, dry surface. Walk back between reps and stop if anything hurts. On hot days drink water and rest in the shade; if you hear thunder, go inside.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (a long lead), Core (medium), More (short). Aim for clean turns, not speed.
Story
You are a boat captain turning the ship around and sailing back to port.
My best
Beat your own count
Aim for clean turns, not speed. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
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