The foundation drill of modern football. Four players keep possession in a tight square; one defender presses. Builds first-touch quality, body shape, and the habit of opening up to receive.
• Open body shape — receive on the half-turn, hips angled to the next pass
• Two-touch maximum: kill the ball, find the next player
• Pass into the back foot of the receiver, never the front
• Use the third-man combination when the obvious pass is closed
• Defender works in 45-second bursts then rotates
Progression: drop to one-touch only. Add a second defender (4v2). Reduce square to 8 yards.
Regression: 12-yard square, two-touch with no time limit on defender.