Lesson 5 - Drag Back & Hook Turns
Advanced Techniques & Tactics
•Year 6
•Football
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How can mastering different turning techniques help us maintain possession and create attacking opportunities in football?
Learning Objectives
- To demonstrate and apply drag back, inside hook and outside hook turning techniques with control
- To select appropriate turning techniques based on game situations and defender positioning
- To maintain possession whilst changing direction under pressure from opponents
Key Outcomes
- Students will execute three different turning techniques with increasing confidence and accuracy
- Students will demonstrate tactical awareness by selecting appropriate turns based on game context
- Students will show improved ball control and decision-making in possession-based activities
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around teaching area perimeter for easy collection
Alternative: Size 3 footballs for smaller students, tennis balls for close control practice
Various sizes for different activities - 8 for warm-up boundaries, 16 for skill stations, 6 for game areas
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or disc cones
Two different colours for 4v4 games, stored in equipment bag
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or pinnies
Key Vocabulary
A turning technique using the sole of the foot to pull the ball backwards and change direction
A turn using the inside of the non-standing foot to hook the ball behind the standing foot
A turn using the outside of the foot to hook the ball behind the standing foot
Having control of the ball and keeping it away from the opposing team
Increasing speed quickly after completing a turn to move away from defenders
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control and dribbling skills
- Simple direction changes using inside and outside of foot
- Understanding of possession and passing concepts
Current Skills
- Drag back turning technique with sole of foot
- Inside hook turn using inside of non-standing foot
- Outside hook turn using outside of foot
- Tactical awareness of when to use different turns
Next Steps
- Advanced turning combinations and feints
- Turning under increased pressure from multiple defenders
- Integration of turns into complex attacking moves
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Demonstrate all three turning techniques clearly with exaggerated movements for visual clarity
- Emphasise acceleration away from turns as crucial for tactical effectiveness
- Progress from individual practice to pressured game situations systematically
- Use specific verbal cues consistently throughout the lesson for technique reinforcement
- Connect turning skills to tactical understanding - evading defenders and creating space
- Monitor and praise examples of respectful behaviour and good sporting conduct
- Ensure adequate spacing and safety during all turning practice activities
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking any direction change counts as a proper turn - emphasise specific techniques
- Believing turns are only useful when being tackled - show proactive use to create space
- Focusing only on the turn itself without acceleration - stress importance of explosive movement away
- Using only dominant foot for all turns - encourage practice with both feet
- Rushing through turns without control - emphasise quality over speed initially
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with frequent changes, clear boundaries and expectations, regular positive reinforcement
dyspraxia
- Slower progression through techniques, larger equipment for easier handling, additional practice time and support
autism spectrum
- Clear structure with visual activity schedule, quiet zones for breaks, consistent routines and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, written instruction cards, ensure clear sight lines for lip reading
physical disability
- Adapted turning techniques for wheelchair users, modified distances and speeds, alternative roles in team games
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances for cone placement, counting consecutive passes, timing activities and calculating success rates
Science
Understanding momentum and direction changes, forces involved in acceleration, body balance and pivot points
Geography
Spatial awareness and mapping movement patterns, understanding directions and angles of turns
PSHE
Teamwork and communication skills, resilience when learning difficult skills, respect and fair play values
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around teaching area perimeter during individual practice, position centrally for demonstrations and discussions
Observation Focus
Monitor ball control quality, turn execution technique, tactical decision-making in games, and sporting behaviour
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with basic technique, games becoming too physical, or safety concerns arising
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for technique demonstrations, show common mistakes and corrections, involve students in demonstrations where appropriate
Verbal Cues
- •'Drag the ball back with your sole!'
- •'Hook and pivot!'
- •'Turn away from the defender!'
- •'Accelerate into space!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m teaching area, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, debris or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Confirm team bibs are clean and undamaged
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during turning movements
- •Falls due to loss of balance during turns
- •Ball strikes from close-range practice
- •Overexertion in competitive games
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear boundaries and adequate spacing between activities
- •Progress from static to dynamic practice gradually
- •Monitor defensive pressure in games to prevent dangerous tackles
- •Regular water breaks and fatigue monitoring
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups during activities
- •Move between games during 4v4 to monitor intensity
- •Check technique execution during individual practice
Emergency Procedures
Stop, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, contact emergency services if required