The Fundamentals of Ball Control

Mentality

Nerves or over stimulation can be detrimental when trying to control a soccer ball. Tense and rigid muscles will not be an effective cushion to take the pace off the ball and get it under control. You should accelerate it into space fully, but develop the ability to relax your body upon contact with the ball. You should always have a goal in mind when controlling a soccer ball. Knowing whether you want to pass on to a teammate, or dribble at a defender will impact what kind of control is best. You should also be aware of defensive pressure and learn to take your first touch away from pressure while controlling the ball.

Surface Selection and Technique

All rolling balls should be controlled using the inside of your foot. Avoid lazily hanging your foot down to provide a narrow target. Adopt the following technique;

• Standing foot next to ball. Avoid reaching as you will be off balance.
• Receiving foot locked in L shape, toe up and heel down.
• Contact ball at middle height.
• Draw foot back upon contact to cushion momentum of ball.
• Aim to trap ball one step in front so you can quickly step into a pass or dribble, rather than have it stuck under your feet.

If a ball is between ground and knee height then use similar technique, with the only adjustment being lifting the standing foot to contact the ball at midline. Use your feet to move back or forward and adjust to height.

Other common surfaces used to trap the ball are the thigh and chest. When trapping with your thigh make sure your leg is up and ready to receive the ball before it arrives. Contact the ball in the middle of the thigh and draw leg back to cushion impact and bring the ball under control.

Use your chest to trap high balls, move back or forward to ensure a ball will come into contact with your chest. Lean back slightly upon compact to control the ball and take some pace off. Aim for the ball to land one step in front of you.

Defensive Pressure

Before you receive a ball look around and be fully aware of defensive pressure and how you intend to avoid it. Trapping the ball without thought can result in you sending the ball back towards defensive pressure. This will best case slow you down, and worst case will result in you losing possession for your team. Taking your first touch away from pressure not only speeds up the play but also allows you to shield the ball using your body. If you receive a pass during a game from the left, with a defender closing in on you, trap the ball with your right foot and turn away from pressure. This allows you to use your left shoulder and keep the ball away from the defender with your body providing a barrier.

Youtube Video

Click here to view a video on receiving

ACTION PLAN

Coaches and players should pay regular attention to developing ball control. Below is an action plan for coaches and players.

Coaches

• Dedicate part of your warm up to ball control in every session, even if only 5 to 10 minutes.
• Dedicate 4 to 6 sessions to ball control.
• Progress through stages of resistance. Begin with no defensive pressure, work up to passive, active, then game like resistance.
• Use the technical coaching points described above.

Players

• Practice regularly, either with your team or alone with a ball and a wall.
• Aim to practice ball control 3 or 4 times a week for 30 minutes per day.
• Practice with both feet.
• Practice thigh and chest control.
• Control 50 balls with each surface (left and right separately.