First Touch soccer training
First touch soccer drills should play a very important part in every soccer
players training routine.
First touch soccer drills are a simple way to improve any player’s first touch
on the soccer ball through repetition, and constant training.
Doing activities with the soccer ball on a daily basis will greatly improve youth
players first touch on the ball.
Having a good first touch will allow the player to be able to get out of
small spaces, or trick the defenders with the first touch turn or pass. This will create more goal scoring chances, and keep the flow of the game exciting.
Players that do not have a good first touch on the soccer ball will take too many
touches trying to bring the ball under control, giving the other team’s
defense time to organize, and take the ball away.
Learning how to control the soccer ball with the first touch, will lead to
creating more space for the players.
One of the main soccer exercises any player is able to do individually is simply juggling the soccer ball.
Juggling the ball will improve the players balance, and coordination with the ball, as he/she hops on one foot
while maintaining balance, and controlling the ball in the air with juggles.
Juggling will help with footwork, because of the foot and ball coordination required to juggle the ball.
Juggling is one of the simplest ways for players to develop various skills, and have fun with the ball.
Try and beat your maximum number of juggles, my maximum is 1361.
Like any skill in soccer, first touch is developed with consistency, repetition and playing time.
Soccer is a fun game, and individuals can train off the wall, garage, or rebound goal, having a good time with the ball always coming back.
Every soccer drill should be done with both feet. Even when playing soccer, remember to use your weaker foot.
First touch soccer drills
quick thinking
Use the correct technique to control the soccer ball, and pass it back through a different set of cones.
This first touch soccer drill will develop the mental part of the player's game, with the player having to think about where they want to move, and where they want to pass the ball back.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILL SET UP
- Split players into groups of 2, with one soccer ball.
- Set up 4 cones in a straight line with 1 m/yd of space in between them.
- Players will position themselves on each side of the cones, 10 m/yd away from the cones.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILLS INSTRUCTIONS
- Player with the ball will start this drill by passing the soccer ball through one pair of cones, using the correct technique, toes up, ankle locked, firm pass on the ground.
- Player receiving the soccer ball cannot pass the ball back through the same set of cones. Player receiving the ball will have to take one touch to the left, or right, and pass the ball back through a different set of cones.
- Players will try to find a rhythm going back and forth without knocking over the cones, or passing through the same set of cones.
- Control the ball with the first touch into space, left or right, and pass it back through a different set of cones.
- Add more cones to make more passing channels and make it more difficult and interesting.
- Lessen the distance between cones to make this drill more difficult with smaller sized passing channels.
- Always practice with both feet.
first touch soccer drills
pass & pedal
This soccer drill can be done in practice, or out of practice with friends or parents.
Players will develop better overall touch on the ball, and learn the positive habit of always running toward the pass, instead of waiting for the soccer ball.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILL SET UP
- Two players and a soccer ball are needed for this drill.
- Place 2 cones, shoes, backpacks or any other marker about 1 meter/yard apart.
- To start off, players will want to position themselves about 10 meters/yards away from each other or 5 meters/yards away from the cones.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILL INSTRUCTIONS
- Player with the soccer ball will start this drill by making a firm pass on the ground through the cones towards the player on the other side.
- The player receiving the soccer ball will RUN towards the ball, and use the first touch to pass the ball back through the 2 cones, and start backpedaling 3 - 5 steps back.
- Player on the opposite side will run towards the ball to make the pass, and back pedal.
- As the rhythm of the passes becomes consistent, each pass will create more distance between players as they back pedal after every pass still trying to keep the pass inside the cones.
- If the pass is made outside of the cone channel or a cone is knocked over, players will start the drill over with 10 meters/yards of distance in between them, passing and back pedaling their way back.
SOCCER COACHING TIPS
- Player’s main focus should be making the first touch pass with the correct technique, body over the soccer ball, ankle locked and toes up.
- Another important part in doing this drill correctly is making sure that the players use quick feet when pedaling back, instead of long strides.
- Quick feet mean that players will try to get as many touches on the ground as they are pedaling back after the pass… instead of trying to cover as much distance, and making big steps back.
- Modify this soccer drill with receiving, or mid air passing. Players will have 2 touches, 1 to receive, and 1 to pass.
- Make this soccer drill more difficult, or easier, by reducing or expanding the passing channel.
- ALWAYS PRACTICE USING BOTH FEET (left and right).
first touch soccer drills
cone chase
This first touch soccer drill will work the players first touch on the ball while in motion, or running with the ball.
Players will work on their coordination, conditioning and response time.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILLS SET UP- Players will work in groups of 2 with one soccer ball.
- Set the grid up by marking one passing channel 1 m/yd wide.
- Set up another passing channel of the same size 15 – 20 m/yd away, in a straight line.
- Finish with putting one cone in the middle of the two passing channels.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILLS INSTRUCTIONS
- Two players will start passing the soccer ball through the passing channel, using one touch pass to each other.
- Players will jog towards the ball, make a pass, and back pedal. Always staying on their toes and using the correct technique to pass the soccer ball, body over the ball, toes up and ankle locked.
- On 5th, or 10th pass, the player with the ball in his/her possession will start dribbling the soccer ball with as many touches as possible, towards the other passing channel.
- Player without the ball will sprint to the middle cone, back to the starting cone, and then to the opposite passing channel.
- At the opposite channel, same player runs with the ball, and same player without the ball.
- Players switch roles after 2 or 4 runs with/out the ball.
- ALWAYS PRACTICE DOING ANY DRILL WITH BOTH FEET, Left and Right.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILLS
CONTROL & PASS
This soccer drill is very simple to use, and can be done as part of the warm up routine, or as a first touch training drill during practice.
Players will benefit from this first touch drill by developing the habit of playing simple soccer… receive, move, pass the ball, and move again.
Players will also be developing their first touch on the soccer ball, both offensively and defensively.
This drill will teach players to control the ball with the first touch, moving into space, and following with a second touch pass that will have to go through the passing cone channel.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILLS SET UP
- Split the players into groups of 2, with one soccer ball per group.
- Set up 4 cones 5 – 10 m/yd away from each other to create square grid for this drill.
- Players will position themselves on the outside of each end of the square.
FIRST TOUCH SOCCER DRILLS INSTRUCTIONS
- Player with the soccer ball, red player, will start this drill by making a one touch pass through the center of the cones to his/her teammate on the opposite side of the gird.
- This pass should be made using the correct passing technique, eyes on the soccer ball, toes up, ankle locked, firm contact on the ball.
- Player receiving the soccer ball will use the first touch to control the soccer ball to the left or right side, making sure that the first touch control gets the soccer ball to the outside of the cones.
- Player will follow up with a second touch pass diagonally through the cones and towards the red player.
- Red player will keep the flow going by repeating what the other player did… control with first touch to one side (left or right) and pass the ball back diagonally through the cones to teammate on the opposite side.
- When performed correctly, this drill should be smooth with players using the first touch for control, and second touch to pass the ball back and forth.
SOCCER COACHING TIPS
- Make sure that the players are using the correct technique in practice with every soccer drill.
- If the technique is wrong, stop the drill, correct it and instruct players to slow down and do it right.
- Players should be putting in 100% effort, and slacking off should be punished with runs, sit ups, pushups etc…
- Make this drill more competitive by having players count every pass not made through the passing cone channel, knocking over a cone, or more than 2 touches on the ball to pass it back.
- Player with fewer mistakes will win, and the losing player will have to do some runs, pushups, sit ups, lounges etc…
- Modify this drill by allowing passes to be in the air with the same goal… control the air pass to one side and pass the ball back in the air through the passing channels.
- If it proves to be difficult for players to do 2 touches with the passes, allow more touches on the ball, depending on the skill and age of the players.
- Players need to be encouraged to control the ball using both, the inside and outside of the foot, when moving to either side.
- ALWAYS PRACTICE WITH BOTH FEET, LEFT AND RIGHT. Players that can play with both feet have an advantage on the soccer field, both defensively and offensively.
Eight Soccer Drills with the Ball from my training session with young boys different ages and various skill levels with the soccer ball. Watch the soccer training video and read about each drill.
Soccer Ball Control Training Drills using the agility ladder and cones to get touches and work on agility, speed, and coordination. Watch the training video and read about this soccer drill.
Ball Control Drills for Soccer with Cones to maximize touches with the soccer ball.
Soccer Drills with Cones to develop players dribbling skills by controlling the soccer ball through the cone grid and finishing with a shot on goal.
Better Ball Control Drills give players 100s of touches on the soccer ball to help players move towards achieving 10,000 hours of contacts on the soccer ball.
Soccer Drills to Improve Ball Control will focus on the touches and technique before adding more and more speed after getting comfortable with the soccer ball.
Ball Control, Agility and Speed Drills for Soccer using basic equipment to set this drill up. Agility ladder, cones and a soccer ball.
Simple Soccer Drill to develop touch on the ball and improve shooting off dribble. It is best to have 3 - 4 soccer balls so you can complete 3 - 4 repetitions one after another.
Ball Control Soccer Drills for Kids have to include lots of touches on the soccer ball, with different parts of the foot, and direction change with the ball.
U10 Soccer Training Drills focus on maximizing touches on the soccer ball through various turns and close control of the soccer ball. Apply this fun soccer training drill to any age group of soccer players for lots of touches, turns, creativity, and finishing with a shot on goal.
Adapt this Ball Control Soccer Drill in training, or get creative and add some things to it. Becoming a better soccer players takes a lot of work and dedication to training. The harder you work in training, transfers to how hard you will work in games.
Soccer Trapping Drills are done in repetition to help player get more touches on the ball coming from the air. This soccer exercise is going to help players build coordination on the ball, and first touch to turn into space with the ball coming from the air.
Beginner Soccer Drills are based on developing coordination, and getting familiar with the surface of the ball. Beginner soccer players may, or may not, have good balance and coordination, which helps in learning how to control the soccer ball using the feet.
Soccer Drills for Beginner Players are focused on fun and playing with the ball to improve the players coordination and skills with the soccer ball at their feet. This is a fun soccer drill for beginner soccer players, but it can also be adapted to more skilled players by getting creative with the training drill instructions.
Beginner Soccer Player Drills should be fun and entertaining. This soccer drill is simple and every player needs to have a soccer ball before the drill is started.
Simple Soccer Training Drills for players of all ages. This drill can be done with cones set up in a line or zig zag formation.
Coaching Kids Soccer is very rewarding. It is a great way to give back to the game through teaching, and motivating players to fall in love with the game of soccer.
Soccer Drills for Kids should be focused around fun and lots of touches on the ball. What better way to have fun than to simply play a small sided game with 2 goals to score on.
Small Sided Drills for Soccer are great for players of all ages. Younger players will benefit from small sided games as they are more involved in the game, both defensively and offensively.
Attacking Soccer Drill is a great way to build the attacking players confidence, decision making, and skills on the soccer ball. Defenders will also benefit by playing defense and trying to stop the attacking players.
Soccer Dribbling Drill with lots of fun and the game itself teaching players both attacking and defensive responsibilities. Players also have to be aware of the their number being called, sprinting into action to try and get to the ball and attack their opponent.
Passing Soccer Drill teaches players in possession of the ball to keep the soccer ball with the intention of completing passes splitting the defenders to earn a point.
Wide Attacking Soccer Drill teaches players to stretch the soccer field wide and open more space to build up the attack. Pass the ball wide and relieve pressure in the midfield.
1v1 Soccer Drill is a great way to improve the players confidence and skills on the ball. The objective for this soccer drill is to give players the freedom to take players 1 on 1 whenever they find themselves in the opponents half of the field.
First Touch Soccer Training is an essential part in every soccer players training routine. First touch soccer drills are a simple way to improve any player’s first touch on the soccer ball through repetition, and consistent training.
First Touch Soccer Drill done in practice, or out of practice with friends or parents. Players will develop better overall touch on the ball, and learn the positive habit of always running toward the pass, instead of waiting for the soccer ball.
First Touch Drills for Soccer need to focus on technique first. Young players try to do everything fast and the technique suffers. Teaching them to slow down and learn first is the best way in getting the technique correct.
First Touch in Soccer is crucial and more important as players get older and have less time on the soccer ball. Good first touch skills will allow players more time on the soccer ball to make creative decisions on the field.
First Touch Soccer Drills should play a very important part in every soccer players training routine. First touch soccer drills are a simple way to improve any player’s first touch on the soccer ball through repetition, and constant training.