Nutmeg Drill

Objective

Identify and exploit the nutmeg opportunity when a defender opens their legs.

Equipment

• ball
• cones

Instructions

1. 1

   Pair up — one attacker, one passive defender with feet shoulder-width apart.

2. 2

   Attacker approaches and plays the ball firmly through the defender's legs.

3. 3

   Sprint around to collect on the other side.

4. 4

   Rotate after 8 attempts each.

5. 5

   Progress to a semi-active defender who can narrow stance randomly.

Coaching Points

• ✓ Use a feint first to get the defender to shift weight and open the legs.
• ✓ Strike through the centre of the ball — not a toe poke.
• ✓ Sprint immediately after the pass; don't wait to see if it goes through.

Variations

• → Add a small goal the attacker must then shoot at after collecting.