Key to this is knowing which positions to take up on the pitch to win yourself invaluable space and time to effect the game.īy taking up unmarked positions on the pitch you can greatly improve your first touch as you then have more time and space to bring the ball under control. While you may have mastered your touch and technique, this will count for very little unless you understand the game and how best to impact it.īy working on your knowledge of the beautiful game, you'll know exactly where to take the ball when you receive it and what to do with it when you have it under control at your feet. This will allow you to be better positioned and poised to bring the ball under control with one touch before dribbling off with it or passing it on to a teammate.įocussing on your footwork is also important in terms of how you cushion and control the ball as well as what part of your foot or body you use to take a touch. Focus on Your Footwork and Stay Focusedīy staying on your toes and alert to what is going on around you on the pitch, you will put yourself in a good position to be successful. That’s why you must practice for whatever scenario comes your way by working on lots of different drills that test your touch and technique in various situations. The ball might come from a short + hard pass, a lofted long ball, or a random rebound. You never know how you’ll receive the ball during a fast-paced game. It’s very important that you work to improve your first touch, technique, and control with both feet as well as your thighs, chest, and head. The secret as always is practice and repetition. With time and practice you'll gain a greater understanding of where you should be on the pitch and what type of first touch you should take. These decisions will help determine how to control the ball. > Do you want to pass the ball on in one touch or cushion it in front? > Do you want to take it to your left or to your right? Key to your first touch is deciding what you are actually going to do with the ball once you receive the pass. Decide How + Where You’re Going to Control the Ball Later in this article we’ll go through several drills you can work through that will help you improve your first touch, decision making, positioning, and understanding of the game. While it’s good being strong enough to hold off your opponents, these physical attributes will count for very little if you aren't able to actually bring the ball under control.Īs such, spend as much time as possible honing your control and working on your technique, making sure that you can kill the ball and leave it where you want with just one touch. With all in mind, here are some tips on how to improve your first touch: 1. More time and space decreases the pressure on your first touch as you don’t have to hold off your opponents at the same time as you receive a pass.Īlso, your conditioning and strength also play a key role in determining whether you can keep your opponents at arm’s length while also helping you to stay focussed for longer. Working on your positioning and understanding of the game, for example, is just as important as both of these help you to win time and space. As mentioned earlier, there are many ways to improve your first touch, and not all of them have to do with your technique and ball control.
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