Simple Soccer Drill: Improve Your First Touch
5 First Touch Drills to Improve Your First Touch and Control
Summary:
A heavy touch is the enemy of possession. In this guide, we explore how to master the “first touch” using specific drills designed to eliminate mistakes. We will break down “Push Pull” techniques and explain how training on specialized surfaces, like the Get Flex soccer training mat, helps you refine foot sensitivity and ball mastery. If you want to stop losing possession and start dominating the field, this article is worth reading.
Why Is a Good To Improve First Touch Soccer Crucial for Every Soccer Player?
In the modern game, space is limited and time is scarce. A good first touch is often the difference between keeping possession and turning the ball over to a hungry defender. When you receive a pass, your initial contact with the soccer ball dictates your next move. If the ball bounces five feet away from you, your head goes down, you panic, and you lose the ability to scan the field. Conversely, a solid first touch keeps the ball close, allowing you to lift your head, assess options, and make better decision making skills. This fundamental skill is the bedrock of simple soccer; without it, tactics and athleticism rarely matter.
For a soccer player looking to advance to higher levels, specifically in youth soccer, the inability to control the ball instantly is a major bottleneck. Coaches constantly look for players who can kill the ball dead or direct it into space with one fluid motion. It allows the team to play faster and exploit gaps in the opposition’s defense. Whether you are a defender needing to clear lines or a striker looking to create scoring opportunities, the mechanics of receiving are identical. You must be able to handle the ball with confidence regardless of the speed or trajectory of the incoming pass.
To truly master your first touch, you cannot rely solely on team scrimmages. You need focused, isolated repetition. This is where individual training becomes vital. By breaking down the mechanics of receiving absorbing pace, angling the foot, and relaxing the ankle you build the muscle memory required for game day. We will explore how specific soccer drills can simulate game pressure and ensure that when the ball arrives at your feet, you are ready to execute. A perfect touch isn’t magic; it is the result of thousands of correct repetitions.
How Does the Push Pull Technique Develop First Touch Mastery?
The “Push Pull” technique is a cornerstone of ball mastery. It involves using the sole of your foot to pull the ball toward you and the laces or inside/outside of the foot to push it away. This constant manipulation forces you to make micro adjustments with your ankle and toes, significantly enhancing your proprioception the body’s ability to sense movement and position. When you develop first touch capabilities through push pull exercises, you are essentially training your foot to be softer and more receptive. This sensitivity is exactly what you need when receiving a pass that comes in hot or bobbling on a rough pitch.
Training on a specific surface can amplify these benefits. This is where Get Flex comes into play. Their training mats provide a consistent, texturized surface that mimics the friction of a well groomed pitch while offering designated zones for foot placement. Doing push pull drills for soccer players on a Get Flex mat forces you to be precise. If you push the ball too hard, it rolls off the mat; if you don’t pull it cleanly, you lose the rhythm. This immediate feedback loop is crucial for learning to control the ball effectively. It turns a standard training session into a high focus technical workout.
Furthermore, push pull drills help you get comfortable using different parts of your foot. Many players rely too heavily on the inside of the foot, which limits their angles of exit. By mastering the push pull, you learn to use different parts sole, laces, inside, and outside of the foot fluidly. This versatility makes you unpredictable. When a defender approaches, a player who can manipulate the ball with the sole and instantly push it into open space is incredibly difficult to intercept. These drills designed for close control are essential for anyone wanting to dribble like Messi or navigate tight spaces.
Can Training on a Get Flex Mat Improve Ball Control?
The surface you train on dictates the quality of your touch. Training on uneven grass or slick concrete can sometimes lead to bad habits or inconsistent bounces that don’t reflect match conditions. The Get Flex soccer training mat is engineered to solve this. It provides a reliable surface that rewards clean contact and punishes sloppy technique. For players focused on how to improve ball control, the mat serves as a dedicated “dojo.” The visual markers on the mat guide your feet, helping you measure the weight of your touch. When you perform a first touch drill on this mat, you are training your brain to associate specific force levels with specific ball distances.
One of the biggest challenges in youth soccer is getting players to focus on the details. The Get Flex mat gamifies the training drills by providing boundaries. Can you keep the ball within the central zone while performing high speed toe taps? Can you execute a V drag without the ball leaving the textured area? This constraint based learning forces you to keep the ball close. It turns abstract concepts like “tight control” into visual reality. When you step back onto a full sized field after training on the mat, the field feels massive, and your ability to cushion the ball into your personal space feels effortless.
Moreover, the mat is perfect for individual training at home. You don’t need a massive backyard or a training partner to improve your first touch. With a Get Flex mat, you can execute hundreds of controlled touches in a small room or garage. This accessibility eliminates excuses. If you want a solid first touch, you need repetition. The mat removes the barriers to practice, allowing you to fit in a 20 minute ball control session before school or after homework. Over time, these small sessions compound, leading to dramatic improvements in your ability to handle the ball.
What Is the Best Dribbling Drill for Tight Spaces?
Navigating tight spaces requires a touch that is both soft and directional. One of the best soccer exercises for this is the “Box Drill” or “Grid Work,” which can be easily set up on your Get Flex mat. The concept is simple: confine yourself to a small square (the mat boundaries work perfectly) and move the ball using every surface of your foot without letting it stop. You want to focus on high frequency touches. Instead of one touch every two steps, aim for one touch every single step. This forces you to dribble with a low center of gravity and knees bent, ready to explode in any direction.
This drill is fantastic because it bridges the gap between static ball mastery and dynamic dribbling. You aren’t just standing still; you are shifting your weight, pivoting, and constantly adjusting your feet. This mimics the chaos of a match where defenders are poking at the ball. To improve dribbling in these scenarios, you must be comfortable with the ball stuck to your foot like a magnet. The goal is to make the ball an extension of your body. Soccer skills aren’t just about tricks; they are about efficiency. If you can maneuver the ball in a 3×3 foot box without looking down, you will find open field dribbling incredibly easy.
Incorporating one touch variations into this drill elevates the difficulty. Try tapping the ball with the inside of the right foot, then the inside of the left, then rolling it across with the sole. This rhythm inside, inside, roll is a classic one touch pattern that helps you evade tackles. It teaches you to control the ball in a way that prepares it for the next action immediately. You aren’t just stopping the ball; you are positioning it. This is the essence of soccer first touch training. It’s not just about stopping the ball; it’s about setting up your next move, whether that’s a pass or a shot.
How Can Hitting a Ball Against a Wall Refine Your Touch?
If you don’t have a partner, hitting a ball against a wall is arguably the most effective way to improve your first touch. The wall never gets tired, and it always returns the ball at the speed you hit it. This creates a perfect feedback loop. Start close to the wall, about 3 5 feet away. Pass the ball firmly against the wall and use the inside of your foot to cushion the ball dead on the return. Do this with both feet. The objective is to kill the momentum of the ball instantly so it rests right in front of you, ready for the next pass. This is a foundational passing drill that every pro player still uses.
As you get comfortable, move further back and increase the power. Now, instead of just stopping the ball, try a directional first touch. When the ball comes back off the wall, touch it diagonally forward to the right or left. This simulates receiving a pass and moving into space away from a defender. This variation helps you develop first touch habits that are game realistic. You are training your body to open up and guide the ball rather than just blocking it. This is how you transition from being a static player to a dynamic playmaker who can create scoring opportunities from the midfield.
You can also use the wall to practice receiving the ball in the air. Throw or chip the soccer ball against the wall so it rebounds at thigh or chest height. Use your thigh, chest, or laces to bring the ball down smoothly. This helps with aerial control. The key here is to relax the body part making contact if you are stiff, the ball will bounce away. By engaging in this soccer training, you learn to absorb the kinetic energy of the ball. This first touch tutorial style of practice is grueling but incredibly rewarding. It ensures that when a teammate fires a hard pass at you during a game, you won’t panic.
How Do You Master Aerial Control and Cushion the Ball?
Aerial control is often the separator between good and great players. The ball isn’t always going to be on the ground. A cleared corner kick, a long throw in, or a chipped pass requires you to settle the ball from the air. To mastering ball control in the air, you need to focus on the concept of “cushioning.” Think of your foot or thigh as a pillow, not a brick wall. As the ball makes contact, you must withdraw the body part slightly to absorb the impact. This technique keeps the ball from bouncing away, allowing you to bring it down to the grass quickly.
A great drill for this is to juggle the ball. Juggling isn’t just for show; it teaches you how to read the spin and trajectory of the ball. Challenge yourself to keep the ball up using only your feet, then only your thighs, and finally, alternate between them. While juggling, try to kill the ball on your foot catch it on your laces and hold it there. This requires immense balance and a soft touch. It directly translates to receiving a pass that is looping over a defender’s head. If you can handle the ball in the air, you double your effectiveness on the field.
Another advanced variation involves a partner or a high rebound wall. Have the ball served high into the air. Your goal is to bring the ball down and control the ball within a two touch limit before making a pass. This simulates the time pressure of a match. You don’t have time to juggle three times in a game; you need to bring it down and play. These drills to improve your aerial game will make you a target man for your team. You become the player who can rescue bad passes and turn them into good possession. This helps improve overall team confidence, as your teammates know they can trust you with difficult balls.
Why Must You Add Movement to Your Soccer Drills?
Static drills are great for mechanics, but the game is played in motion. To truly improve your first touch, you must add movement to your exercises. A good first touch standing still is easy; a good first touch while sprinting is hard. Set up two cones ten yards apart. Sprint to the first cone, receive a pass (from a partner or wall), control it around the cone, and sprint back. This forces you to adjust your stride length and body position while fatigued. It mimics the reality of game scenarios where you are constantly running into pockets of space.
Adding movement also forces you to scan the field. In soccer first touch training, we often stare at our feet. But when you add movement, you have to look where you are going. This encourages “checking your shoulder” before the ball arrives, a critical habit for elite players. If you know where the defender is before you touch the ball, you can take your first touch away from pressure. This decision making skills element turns a physical drill into a cognitive one. You aren’t just training your feet; you are training your awareness.
Furthermore, dynamic drills help improve your fitness while refining your soccer skills. High intensity interval training with a ball is far more effective than running laps. You are conditioning your body to perform technical actions under physical stress. This is vital for the late stages of a game when legs are heavy. If you can maintain a solid first touch in the 85th minute because you trained with movement, you will have a massive advantage over tired defenders. Soccer exercises that incorporate agility, sprinting, and turning are essential for complete player development.
How Do You Keep the Ball Close Under Pressure?
Pressure changes everything. A player might have a velvet touch in warm ups but look like they are wearing timber boots when a defender rushes them. To fix this, you need drills for footballers that simulate pressure. If you are training alone, use the Get Flex mat boundaries as “lava.” If the ball leaves the mat, you lose possession. This mental pressure forces you to tighten up your technique. You have to keep the ball close not because a defender is there, but because the drill demands it. This creates a standard of excellence that transfers to the game.
Another method is to reduce the time you have to react. If you are using a rebounder or wall, stand closer. The reduced reaction time simulates a defender closing you down. You have to react faster and get your feet sorted quicker. This helps you improve your first touch speed. You learn to prepare your body shape before the ball arrives, rather than reacting after. This anticipation is key to keeping possession. Touch and ball must become one fluid thought process.
In team settings, play “keep away” or Rondo games in very small grids. A 4v1 Rondo in a tight box forces the four attackers to have impeccable one touch or two touch play. If your first touch is loose, the defender will intercept it immediately. These game like environments are the best teachers. They punish bad touches instantly. Over time, you learn to shield the ball, use your body to protect your space, and manipulate the ball away from reaching legs. This is how you build a touch soccer game that is resistant to pressure.
What Advanced Soccer Exercises Create Scoring Opportunities?
Ultimately, the goal of a great touch is to score goals or create them. Finishing drills should always start with a difficult feed. Don’t just place the ball on the penalty spot and shoot. Have someone roll the ball hard at you, or chip it in. Your first touch sets up the shot. If the touch is too hard, the keeper smothers it. If it’s too soft, the defender blocks it. The “Set and Shoot” drill is perfect here. Receive a pass, take one directional touch to clear a mannequin (imaginary defender), and fire a shot. This links ball control directly to shooting.
You can also look up a soccer shooting tutorial that focuses on the “turn and shoot.” Receive the ball with your back to the goal, use the outside of your foot to spin around a defender, and shoot. This requires a very specific, delicate touch. You are using the pace of the pass to spin yourself. This is a move used by world class strikers. It turns a harmless pass into a goal in split seconds. These are drills designed to make you lethal in the final third.
Additionally, working on your “positive first touch” is crucial. This means taking your first touch forward whenever possible. Many players play it safe and stop the ball or touch it backward. To create scoring opportunities, you must be brave. Train yourself to take that first touch into space, towards the opponent’s goal. It puts defenders on their back foot immediately. By combining best dribbling practices with an aggressive mindset, your first touch becomes an attacking weapon, not just a defensive safety measure.
Why Is Consistent Practice Key to Simple Soccer Mastery?
There is no secret potion. The only way to get a world class touch is consistent practice. You need to touch the ball thousands of times a week. This is why tools like the Get Flex mat are valuable they facilitate high volume repetition at home. Even 15 minutes a day of touch and ball work adds up to over 90 hours of extra training a year. That is a massive advantage over players who only train during team practice. Simple soccer is played by those who have mastered the basics so thoroughly that they don’t have to think about them.
Consistency also builds confidence. When you know you have put in the hours, you don’t fear the ball. You want the ball. You demand the pass. This psychological shift is huge. A confident player attempts difficult passes and shots that a nervous player wouldn’t dream of. Soccer training is as much about building mental resilience as it is about physical skill. Knowing you have mastered the drills to improve your touch gives you the swagger to perform on the big stage.
Finally, remember that development is non linear. You will have days where your touch feels heavy. That is normal. The key is to show up the next day and do the work again. Keep your tips and advice simple: watch the ball, relax your foot, and practice daily. Whether you are doing drills for soccer players in your backyard or playing in a cup final, the mechanics remain the same. Trust your training. Trust your touch. Consistent practice turns the difficult into the routine, and the routine into the exceptional.
Key Takeaways for Mastering Your First Touch
- Prioritize the Push Pull: Use the sole of your foot to manipulate the ball constantly; this builds essential sensitivity and coordination.
- Utilize Texturized Surfaces: Tools like the Get Flex training mat provide instant feedback on your touch, punishing heavy contacts and rewarding precision.
- Embrace the Wall: The wall is the ultimate training partner for repetition; use it to refine passing, receiving, and aerial control.
- Train Under Pressure: Simulate game conditions by reducing space and time in your drills to ensure your skills transfer to match day.
- Consistency is King: 15 minutes of focused ball mastery daily is superior to one long session once a week.