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Free activity · 100 Possession Activities

Double Move to Receive

By Gabe Ramos · U.S. Soccer Coach Educator · Updated November 2026

3v3 with a neutral on each end line. Before you can receive from a neutral, you must make a double move: one way, then the other. A simple way to teach players to lose a defender.

Setup

A 20x15 with a neutral on each end line. 3v3 inside.

How it works

• Score by receiving from one neutral and passing to the other.
• Before receiving from a neutral, the player must make a double move: one way, then the other.
• Neutrals have two touches.

Scoring

First to five.

Make it easier or harder

• Progression 1: The double move must lose a defender by two yards.
• Progression 2: Neutrals have one touch.

Coach’s notes

• If It Stalls: Double moves too small? The coach calls any move under two yards as a loss.

Why it works

“Get open” is a common instruction, and it means very little to a young player. A double move gives them something specific to do, and the rule makes them do it every time.

Selling the first move is what makes it work. A defender only follows a run that looks real.

Where it sits

This is activity 63 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 7 · Movement to Receive). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.

All movement off the ball drills ›