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DribblingIntermediate

Turn Moves: Cruyff & Hook

Players learn the Cruyff turn and hook turn to change direction quickly when under pressure. Great for U10–U12.

12 min
1–8 players
1 cone per player, 1 ball per player

Objective

Master two key turning moves — the Cruyff and hook turn — to escape pressure and change direction in a game.

Turn Moves: Cruyff & Hook youth soccer drill demonstration

Visual Concept

PCruyff / HookTurn Moves: Cruyff & HookPractice sharp turns with ball

Top-down diagram — Dribbling drill layout

Setup

Each player has a ball. Place a cone 10 yards in front of each player as a "defender" to turn away from.

How to Run It

1

Teach the Cruyff

Approach the cone, fake to pass or shoot, then drag the ball behind your standing leg with the inside of your foot and turn 180°.

2

Practice Cruyff

Players walk through the Cruyff turn 5 times, then build to jogging pace.

3

Teach the hook turn

Approach the cone, use the outside of the foot to hook the ball behind you and spin away in the opposite direction.

4

Combine both

Players dribble to the cone, perform a Cruyff, dribble back, then perform a hook turn — alternating each rep.

Coaching Cues

Sell the fake before the Cruyff — make the defender think you're shooting

Plant your standing foot firmly before dragging the ball

Accelerate out of the turn — don't slow down after it

Keep the ball close through the turn — don't let it get away

Variations

  • Add a passive defender at the cone
  • Time the players — fastest clean turn wins
  • Chain: Cruyff turn, 5-yard sprint, hook turn, back to start

Equipment Needed

  • 1 cone per player
  • 1 ball per player

Shop This Drill

Training Cones (50-pack)Most Popular

Classic tall cones for slalom drills, grids, and field marking.

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Size 4 Soccer BallU9–U12

Standard for U9–U12. Great for skill development and drill work.

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Tags

turnsCruyffchange of directionU10
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