Skills & drills for women’s football

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What it looks like

Turning » Back heel

How?

“The Back Heel or Drag Back is a deceptive move that’s easy to execute but hard to do well. The player brings her foot in front of the ball and uses her heel to flick it back to a teammate. The problem is that it’s not easy to see what’s going on behind you, and without looking round (which somewhat gives the game away), you may end up playing the ball straight to the opposition. It’s important to strike the ball with the back of your foot; a sideways or half-hearted kick can send the ball in the wrong direction entirely.”

Why?

“The Back heel plays an important role in both attack and defence. It can confuse the opposition and is useful for opening up space behind the front line of attack. It can be useful when faced with a large number of defenders up ahead, leaving room for your team mates behind you to play the ball into the newfound space. It’s not only in dribbling that the backheel is useful; they can also be used in free kicks and other areas of the game. They are a form of ball control.”

Tips & drills

Look around before you pass the ball, not just when you’re desperate and the only thing left is a back heel! Practise by doing this drill several times, rotating the role you play.