Home Ball Control & First Touch

Ball Control & First Touch Drills

Mastery of the ball with every surface — the base of all good play

25 drills
Core ⏱ 8 min

Juggling Basics

Keep the ball up with the feet, counting consecutive touches. The classic builder of feel and a ligh...

👤 U8–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 1 players
Core ⏱ 6 min

Thigh Control

Cushion a tossed ball on the thigh and settle it to the feet. Teaches an aerial control surface begi...

👤 U8–U14 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 8 min

Chest Cushion

Control a higher ball on the chest, leaning back to drop it at the feet. Builds a reliable aerial fi...

👤 U10–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Core ⏱ 6 min

Sole Roll Control

Roll the ball back and forth and side to side under the sole. Builds the soft, precise touch at the ...

👤 U8–U12 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 1 players
Core ⏱ 8 min

Wall Control Reps

Pass against a wall and control the return with different surfaces. High-volume first-touch practice...

👤 U8–U14 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 1 players
Skill ⏱ 8 min

Trap the Bouncing Ball

Wedge a bouncing ball dead with the instep or sole as it lands. Teaches killing an awkward dropping ...

👤 U10–U14 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Core ⏱ 8 min

Two-Touch Move

First touch to control, second to set up a pass or dribble, in rhythm. The control-then-act pattern ...

👤 U10–U14 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 10 min

Directional First Touch

Take the first touch into space away from where the ball came. Teaches a touch that buys time and se...

👤 U10–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 8 min

Juggling Surfaces

Juggle using feet, thighs and head in sequence. Builds coordination and confidence across every cont...

👤 U10–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 1 players
Game ⏱ 12 min

Control Under Pressure

Receive and control cleanly with a defender closing in. Builds composure when the touch matters most...

👤 U12–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 3 players
Skill ⏱ 10 min

First-Touch Turn

Control and turn out in one movement to face forward. Links a clean touch directly to playing forwar...

👤 U12–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 10 min

Aerial Control Ladder

A rotation of thigh, chest and instep controls of lofted serves. Builds a dependable aerial first to...

👤 U12–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Game ⏱ 10 min

Control & Pass Combo

Receive, control and pass on in a triangle at tempo. Grooves the touch-and-play rhythm of possession...

👤 U10–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 3 players
Skill ⏱ 8 min

Receive Across the Body

Take the ball with the far foot so it carries across into space. The most useful control habit for a...

👤 U10–U14 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Game ⏱ 10 min

Tight-Space Control

Keep and control the ball in a small crowded box. Builds the close touch needed in congested midfiel...

👤 U12–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 4 players
Skill ⏱ 8 min

Half-Volley Control

Control a dropping ball just after the bounce, deadening it instantly. Teaches a difficult but valua...

👤 U13–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 10 min

Control & Shield

Receive with back to a defender and shield while controlling. Teaches protecting the ball at the mom...

👤 U12–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 10 min

Long Ball Control

Bring down a driven long pass with a cushioned touch under control. Builds first touch on the harder...

👤 U13–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Game ⏱ 8 min

Juggling Challenge

A friendly juggling contest — most touches, or keep-up in pairs. Adds fun and competition to touch d...

👤 U10–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Game ⏱ 10 min

Receive & Drive

Take a positive first touch forward and drive into space. Links control directly to attacking moment...

👤 U12–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 10 min

Control in the Air

Settle a high ball completely before it lands using multiple touches. Builds elite-level aerial cont...

👤 U13–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Game ⏱ 12 min

Touch Under Fatigue

A conditioning circuit ending each lap with a controlled first touch. Teaches a clean touch when tir...

👤 U13–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2 players
Skill ⏱ 10 min

Blindside Control

Check your shoulder, then control a pass arriving with a defender behind. Combines scanning with a p...

👤 U13–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 3 players
Game ⏱ 12 min

Control & Switch

Receive with an open body and switch play in two touches. Combines a directional touch with a quick ...

👤 U13–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 3 players
Game ⏱ 12 min

Rondo First-Touch Game

A possession circle demanding one clean touch to control and one to pass. The ultimate first-touch p...

👤 U12–U15 · 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 5 players

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