receiving under pressure

Q: When receiving in tight space and under pressure, what should a player look to do?

A: Prior to receiving, the assumption is that scanning has relayed the above information. In doing so, it would also give a basic estimation of the position on the pitch of oneself and others. In turn, the first touch should look to protect the ball as best as possible. This can mean a first-time pass directly into another teammate with space. It can also mean controlling touch-tight and using one’s body to push back into the defender, creating space for the ball. 

Even in taking this first touch tight, we can say that the player should do so with the correct body shape to open up into space. For example, with a player pressing from both in front and behind, a touch may be taken tight but to one side (away from both defenders) while rolling the pressure from behind. Having established control and opened towards space, this player can then either pass early, or continue to move into the space until appropriate support arrives.

In more extreme cases with too many opponents, this player should use their body to create room by digging into the defender behind, before stepping across or over the ball and into the next closest defender - protecting from the opposite side. At the same time, there is still the opportunity to cut out into space or find a quick pass that should be searched for, but the body is what is used to open up the yard or two of space required to not be dispossessed immediately.