First Touch

Every time you receive the ball in Soccer counts as your first touch. What you do with that touch will vary significantly, depending on if you are in attack, defence, open or in a tight space. Your first touch may be with any legal part of your body. Sometimes that might be with your head, while other times you will control the ball with your chest, thighs or feet.

In this video, freekickerz demonstrate a practice routine to allow you to drop the ball in space at your feet. You can practice this solo routine almost anywhere to master your ball control.

• Throw or kick the ball into the air.
• Read the ball to see where it will fall.
• Extend your foot while the ball is coming down exactly where you expect it to land.
• As you make the touch, sleep the ball by bringing your foot down and back on contact.

Juggling the ball is also a great way to develop your touch control in this type of situation.