THE FOUNDATION
What Does Receiving Across The Body Mean?
Receiving across the body means allowing the ball to travel from one side of your body toward the other before controlling it.
Instead of stopping the pass on the side where it arrives, you allow the ball to move across you and receive it in a position that may be better for the next action.
This can help you face forward, escape pressure or move the ball into open space.
WHY USE IT?
Change The Direction Of The Attack
A pass arriving from one direction does not mean your next action must continue in that same direction.
Allowing the ball to travel across your body can move possession toward a different area of the field immediately.
Face Forward
Receive into a position where the field ahead becomes available.
Escape Pressure
Let the ball travel away from a defender approaching from one side.
Save A Touch
Use the reception itself to change direction rather than controlling and then moving the ball.
SCANNING
Know What Is On The Other Side
Before allowing the football to travel across your body, check the space you are moving toward.
A defender may be waiting there.
Scan before receiving so you know whether letting the ball travel is safe.
Never let the ball travel into an area you have not checked.
BODY POSITION
Create A Path For The Ball
Your body position must allow the football to travel across you.
If you stand completely square toward the passer, your body can block the path you want the ball to take.
Position yourself at an angle and remain balanced on your feet.
Ball Gets Stuck
The player's body position makes it difficult to receive into the next space.
Ball Can Travel
The player creates a natural path across the body toward the next action.
LET IT RUN
Sometimes You Do Not Need A First Touch
In some situations, you can allow the ball to travel completely across your body without touching it immediately.
This is sometimes called letting the ball run.
If you have already scanned and know the space is available, this can eliminate an unnecessary touch.
FIRST TOUCH
Guide The Ball Into Space
You do not always need to let the football travel completely untouched.
Often you will use the inside of the farther foot to guide the ball across your body.
The contact should be controlled enough that you can immediately perform the next action.
Small Touch
Keep the football close when the available space is limited.
Larger Touch
Move the ball farther ahead when there is room to accelerate.
Prepare The Next Pass
Guide the ball into the position needed for the next passing action.
ESCAPING PRESSURE
Use The Defender's Momentum
Receiving across the body can be especially effective when a defender approaches from the side where the pass originated.
The defender may move toward the expected receiving point.
Allowing the ball to continue across your body can take possession away from that pressure.
DISGUISE
Make The Defender Expect The Wrong Action
Your body shape can suggest that you are going to control the football on the side where it arrives.
At the last moment, allowing the ball to travel across your body can make the defender adjust direction.
This becomes more effective when your movement remains relaxed and natural.
NEXT ACTION
The Reception Should Lead Somewhere
Receiving across your body is not useful simply because it looks smooth.
The movement should create an advantage for the next action.
Open A New Angle
Receive across your body and play toward another area.
Attack The Space
Move the first touch forward and accelerate with the ball.
Face Forward
Use the reception to change your orientation toward goal.
WHEN NOT TO USE IT
Do Not Let The Ball Travel Into Danger
There are situations where receiving across the body is the wrong choice.
If a defender controls the space on the other side, allowing the ball to travel toward that defender can create an immediate turnover.
You may need to protect the ball, receive with the nearer foot or play a simple pass back instead.
Let It Travel
Use the movement to enter the open area.
Protect Possession
Do not force the technique when a defender controls the destination.
PRACTICE
Across-The-Body Receiving Drill
Use a wall or partner and place one marker to your left and another to your right.
Receive the ball from the front while standing with an open body position.
Let the ball travel across you and use the farther foot to guide it toward one marker.
Scan
Check the direction you want to move before the pass arrives.
Open
Position your body so the football has a path across you.
Receive
Guide the ball across your body with the appropriate foot.
Continue
Pass or dribble immediately after the first touch.
PROGRESSION
Add Decisions To The Drill
Once the technique becomes comfortable, avoid always predetermining the direction.
Have a partner call, point or show a signal that determines which side you should receive toward.
Eventually add a defender so the correct direction depends on the pressure.
Predetermined Side
Learn the basic movement first.
Random Signal
React to information before receiving.
Passive Defender
Read which side the defender blocks.
Active Defender
Decide whether to receive across, protect or play back.
PROGRESS CHECK
Test Your First-Touch Direction
Complete 20 receptions.
Alternate between receiving toward the left and right.
Count a repetition as successful when the ball travels cleanly across your body and leaves you balanced and ready for the next action.
COMMON MISTAKES
Across-The-Body Receiving Mistakes
Not Scanning First
The player allows the ball to travel toward a defender.
Closed Body Position
The body blocks the path the football needs to take.
Touch Too Heavy
The ball travels beyond the player's control.
Turning Every Time
The player forces the movement even when the space is closed.
No Next Action
The player performs the technique without using the advantage it creates.
GUIDE SUMMARY
Remember These Seven Ideas
Receiving across the body can change your direction with fewer touches.
Scan the destination before allowing the ball to travel there.
Use an open body position to create a path for the football.
Sometimes you can let the ball run without touching it.
Match the size of the first touch to the space available.
Use the defender's pressure to help determine which direction to receive.
The reception should create an advantage for your next action.
Turning With The Ball
Learn simple turning techniques that allow you to change direction, escape pressure and attack new space.