First-touch football drills are essential to any football player’s training routine. A solid first touch allows players to escape tight situations or defenders with a first-touch pivot or pass. It will also increase the number of scoring opportunities and keep the game flowing smoothly.
Football players of all levels would agree that one of the most important things to focus on is acquiring a confident and skillful first touch. Your first touch lets you control the game’s pace, go around an opposing player, and score a goal.
Daily football workouts, constant training, and repetition will substantially improve young players’ first touch on the ball. On the other hand, players with a poor first touch on the football will take too many touches trying to control the ball, giving the opposing team’s defense time to organize and take the ball away.
Here are some of our favorite first-touch football drills for youth football players to develop first-touch skill sets.
Received the ball with the inside of the foot
One of the best first-touch football drills for this age group is this simple drill for training to receive a pass with the inside of the foot.
This is a technique for controlling and receiving the ball near the body. The inside of your foot controls passes from a teammate in this drill. If you don’t have a buddy to practice passing, simply pass the ball off a wall to enhance your first touch.
The most common first touch in football is with the inside of the foot. As a result, you will want to double-check that you understand this fundamental strategy. Your first touch should be around one step away from you. This should position you to make a pass or shoot the ball.
How to Execute
Set up your players in pairs, about 4 feet apart, facing each other. Each player should kick the ball to his partner using only his outside foot.
The player receiving the ball should keep it on his chest and return it to the kicker without letting it strike the ground.
How To Improve
The players should bend slightly to one side when catching the ball with their inner foot. This first-touch football drill is designed to help players improve their ability to receive a ball in stride and immediately play it back with their inside foot.
Received the ball with the outside of the foot
Another first-touch football activity will assist your kids in improving their control and ball-receiving with their outside foot. You’ll need a companion to complete this exercise.
How to Execute
Allow each pair of players to face each other around 4 feet apart. The ball should be at the foot of the player on the right. Player B passes to the player on the left.
Player A must handle the pass with his outside foot and then return it to Player B with his inner foot.
Players should keep repeating this passing practice until it is perfected or time runs out. They should then trade roles and repeat.
How To Improve
Make sure you and your teammates come to a complete stop before the following player passes. Motivate players to keep their heads up and watch the ball as it enters their feet.
Encourage accurate and rapid passing. Make it a requirement for your player to call “Control” every time they receive a pass.
Pass and Run Back
Here’s a first-touch football workout to improve players’ coordination and fitness. It mixes passing abilities with game speed.
How to Execute
Pair up your guys about 8 yards apart, facing each other. Player A transfers the ball to player B, who returns to retrieve it.
Player B does not kick the ball back but instead passes it to Player A, who turns and plays a return pass to B. Additionally, players should continue this drill for a defined amount of time or number of kicks.
How To Improve
Each player aims to enhance their pace around the pitch and their first touch and playmaking abilities.
Set a timer or a target number of passes before beginning over. Change the positions frequently so both players are equally challenged and have adequate playing time.
Commit to practicing the first-touch football drills listed above with a teammate or a wall; your initial touch will improve over time! Improving your first touch can help you keep possession of the football when it comes your way, allowing you to make more accurate passes and shots or dribble out of danger.
The Wall Passes
This is a beginner’s one-handed first-touch football drill. It’s simple to understand and divide into distinct work sessions.
How to Execute
Position your players about 4 feet apart, facing each other, with their backs to a wall, bench, or stand. The player on the left should be standing with a ball at his feet, facing away from you, and his left foot behind him at the bottom of his foot.
The player on the right should stand with his back to you, his feet together, and his back to the wall.
Player A throws the ball to player B, who then turns to face B, kicking the ball backward with their right foot while maintaining their left foot in position.
How To Improve
Ensure your players focus on keeping their eyes up as soon as they receive a pass to better predict a second pass.
Also, ensure they don’t shrug or elevate their shoulders higher than usual. When receiving a pass, ensure both players, especially player A, maintain a low stance.
Final Thought!
Developing first-touch skills is critical for football players to improve their overall game. Moreover, a powerful first-touch player can successfully control the ball, sustain possession, and create scoring chances. A poor first touch, on the other hand, can result in the ball being lost to the opposition team or a misdirected pass. If you want to help your kids improve their first-touch football skills, we can train them to become elite young football players at Mhussein Football Academy. Learn more about us here.
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CHOOSE M HUSSEIN FOOTBALL ACADEMY
Mhussein Football Academy in Milton Keynes is here to help young players develop football skills and have a wonderful football experience. We offer 1 on 1 or group-based football training sessions for aspiring young football players. We aim to serve the youth to become their generation’s best and most skilled football players.
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