In order to control the soccer ball successfully every time here are the <strong>5 Easy Steps:</strong>
1. <strong>DECISIONS:</strong>
<strong>TO CONTROL OR NOT TO CONTROL?</strong>
Before you attempt to control the soccer ball, decide if you even need to control the ball in the first place. Sometimes you can actually fake that you are going to control the ball, then at the last second you let the ball continue in its path, deceiving the defender.
<strong>WHAT WILL BE THE END PRODUCT BE?
</strong>
Next you must decide what the end product is going to be once you have controlled the ball i.e. do you want to control the ball to set up a shot, to move into space away from a defender, to keep possession, to pass the ball to a teammate.
<strong>
2. CHOOSE THE PART OF THE BODY YOU ARE GOING TO USE TO CONTROL THE BALL.</strong>
If you are going to use a foot, decide if you are also going to use the grass to help as well. Many people refer to this as “trapping the ball”. Trapping the ball involves using the foot and the grass together to control the ball. You must time it so that as the ball lands on the grass, you use your instep or bottom of your foot to trap the ball onto the grass.
As well as the instep and bottom of the foot, you can also control the ball with the top of the foot, the thigh, the chest and the head. Once you have decided which body part to use, you move on to the next step.
<strong>3. MOVE INTO LINE WITH THE BALL</strong>
Move your body into line with the path of the ball using small steps and be on your toes to make last second adjustments as needed.
<strong>THE MORE WORK YOU DO BEFORE THE BALL ARRIVES, THE EASIER AND MORE EFFECTIVE THE WORK WILL BE WHEN THE BALL ARRIVES. </strong>
Often I see players not move enough before the ball arrives and then they have to stretch to the ball making it much more difficult to control. You need to move both side to side and forward/backward to meet the ball at the correct place so that you control the ball with the chosen body part.
<strong>4. CUSHION THE BALL </strong>
Allow the ball to connect with the selected body part and cushion the ball by withdrawing the body part as the two connect relaxing the muscles involved and allowing your body part to absorb the energy of the moving ball. Avoid being tense and rigid, this will result in the ball bouncing off the body part. You want the ball to simply slow down and drop in the required space. Remember playing “egg toss” when you were younger? The same principle applies.
<strong>5. CONTROL THE BALL INTO THE DESIRED SPACE.</strong>
Be aware of the space around you and control the ball into that space, remembering again what you want to do with the ball such as a shot or a pass. For example, if you want to produce a shot you would control the ball in front of the foot you will shoot with and at the correct distance and angle from it so that you can then step into the ball and take the shot.
In order to significantly improve as a soccer player it is essential that you spend the necessary time learning to control the ball. Your <strong>“First Touch”</strong> as it is often referred to is so important and it is often the factor that separates average players from very good players.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Communication Skills Training Can Improve Sales
- How Presentation Skills Training Can Help You Overcome the Fear of Presenting
- How Social Skills Training Can Change Your Life
- Interviewing Skills Training Can Help Avoid Staff Turnover
- 5 Tips to Learn Soft Skills – Success Notes From Among the Leading Soft Skills Training Institutes in Mumbai
- The Impact Of Soft Skill Training
- Do Your Managers Need Leadership Skills Training?
- Incentive Vocational Skill Training




Watch Soccer Live Online Free
By: Kevin Phillips | 07/11/2009We offer you a great possibility to follow numerous live sport events, including football games of the UEFA Champions League, English PremierLeague, German Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Spanish Primera Division and Italian Serie A, or major events in other sport types, such as ice hockey with the NHL or basketball with the NBA.
Italian Serie A- Inter Beat Livorno 2-0 and Increases its Advantage as Leader
By: Stephen Lars | 06/11/2009Last Sunday during their visit to Livorno in the Armando Picchi Stadium, Internazionale managed to increase their advantage as leader. Currently, Milan is seven points ahead of Juventus, its closest rival, and remains in first place of the Italian Serie A standings with 28 points.
Court of Arbitration favour Chelsea on fifa ban
By: Ojetokun Oladapo | 06/11/2009Chelsea could now trade in the January transfer window after the Court of Arbitration for Sport agreed to suspend their FIFA-imposed transfer ban until a final decision is made in the case of the signing of Gael Kakuta.
Boro Strach while the iron is hot
By: oneBoro | 05/11/2009Steve Gibson’s decision to cast Gareth Southgate aside and bring Gordon Strachan into the Riverside hot seat while Boro were sitting just a point off the Championship’s top spot may have seemed strange to the neutrals, but it could prove to be a master-stroke in the long run.
"We must play as a team"Alonso
By: Ojetokun Oladapo | 05/11/2009The midfielder sat down for an interview with Publico and talked about his role as the team's central midfielder. You were signed to organise a team formed by Cristiano, Kaka, Benzema, Lass, Raul… How will you do it? One player on his own can’t do it; it’s up to the whole team to organise itself and have a collective awareness. We’re still in the preseason and adapting to the coach’s ideas.
Football predictions can be difficult
By: Dave Thurston | 05/11/2009We're a nation of football experts, or so we think. Every single football fan in the country has an opinion on their football team, and all the players. Infact every football fan has an opinion of every club in the country, and everyone thinks they can predict the final scores of football matches. But is it really that easy ?
Buy Soccer Goals and Soccer Balls online at wholesale prices
By: zawat | 05/11/2009Petraimports is an online soccer store for all types of Soccer goals Soccer sports Equipment pop up portable soccer goals Wholesale Soccer equipment Cheap Soccer Balls Foldable soccer goals kids furniture Gazebos Wooden Hammock Stand Offset umbrella. We offer retail items at wholesale prices.
Soccer Coaching Drills - Killer Tips On Free Drills
By: Andre Botelho | 04/11/2009Lets face it! Without incorporating free drills in your regular soccer coaching drills, it is difficult to envision a productive training session for your young players. As a coach, you must sure that they are adequately included in the practice sessions.
5 steps to beating a player in soccer
By: Paul Walmsley | 14/06/2009 | SoccerThese are the 5 steps needed to beat a player in soccer everytime!
5 Ways To Improve Your Soccer Skills
By: Paul Walmsley | 17/05/2009 | SoccerI have been asked many times by players of all ages and abilities. “How Can I Improve My Soccer Skills?” Well, the old saying still applies, “Practice Makes Perfect.” The great thing about soccer is that you don’t need any expensive equipment or a coach or teammates to help you get better. All you need is a ball, a wall and a small area to work in. Here are 5 Ways to Improve Your Soccer Skills: