What Directed First Touch Means
The term sounds technical. But it's not, really.
Directed first touch means: Don't just stop the ball – but carry it in the direction of your next action.
Many players – especially children and beginners – aim to bring the ball to a complete stop. Stop the ball, assess the situation, then act. This is too slow. In a real game, opponents don't wait.
Instead, the rule is: The first touch already carries the ball in the direction of the next action. If the next step is a pass to the right, the player receives the ball to the right. If they want to dribble forward, they carry it forward. If they need time, they bring it into their body and shield it.
This doesn't happen automatically. It must be practiced.
Why the First Touch Determines Game Speed
Modern game forms – even in youth football – thrive on pace. Not frantic running, but quick decisions. And the first touch is the starting point of every decision-making chain.
A good first touch means: The player is immediately ready to act. They can pass, dribble, shoot. No delay.
A poor first touch means: The player first has to chase the ball. Or they are positioned incorrectly. Or they need a second touch to get into position. During this time, the opponent closes in.
There's a simple formula:
Good first touch = more time. More time = better decisions. Better decisions = better game.
This applies to everyone – from the youngest players to adults. That's why it's worth prioritizing ball control practice, not treating it as an afterthought.
Receiving from the Air vs. Receiving on the Ground
The first touch works differently depending on the type of ball. Two important distinctions:
Receiving on the Ground (Ground Pass)
This is the most common scenario. Ball rolls in, player receives it. Sounds simple.
Common Mistakes:
- Foot too stiff – the ball bounces uncontrollably
- No body engagement – ball runs under the player
- Too much lean back – ball lands behind the player
What matters: The leg moves towards the ball. The contact point is soft – not yielding, but not hard either. The inside of the foot provides the most control. And: Even as you move towards it, decide where the reception will lead.
Receiving from the Air (Aerial Ball, Cross, High Pass)
More difficult. The ball comes from above, with spin or pace. Mistakes happen even more frequently here.
Common Mistakes:
- Player waits passively – the ball drops onto a stiff foot
- Too much lean back – ball bounces backward
- Wrong body part – chest or thigh are ignored
What matters: Cushion the ball, don't stop it. Chest, thigh, or foot absorb the ball and redirect its energy – downwards or in the direction of the next action. The body is the first point of contact for high balls, not always the foot.
| Ball Type | Recommended Body Part | Typical Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Pass | Inside of Foot | Foot too stiff, no cushioning movement |
| Half-Volley/Bouncing Ball | Inside of Foot or Thigh | Lean back, ball bounces away |
| High Ball | Chest or Thigh | Body too straight, no cushioning |
| Aerial Ball after Cross | Thigh or Foot | Waiting instead of moving actively |
The 4 Fundamental Principles of Ball Reception
Open Up to the Ball
The body is half-turned towards the ball – not frontal. Why? Because this allows the player to see both the ball and the rest of the field simultaneously. A player who approaches the ball frontally sees nothing but the ball. That's not enough.
An open body stance is a fundamental habit that must be trained early. It doesn't develop automatically. Players open up when they've learned to – otherwise, they won't.
Relaxed Point of Contact
The leg receiving the ball is not stiff. It yields slightly – like a shock absorber. This is especially true for hard passes and high balls.
Tense reception = hard impact = uncontrolled rebound. You see this on every training pitch, with children and and adults. The solution: Stay relaxed. Yield slightly. Cushion the ball.
Use the Correct Surface
Inside of the foot for control and precision. Outside of the foot for quick, directed receptions while moving. Sole to stop and shield in tight situations. Thigh and chest for high balls.
Every situation demands a different surface. This must be learned – through repetition, not explanation.
Receive in the Direction of Movement
The first touch leads into the next action. The player decides even before receiving: Where will I go next? This thought shapes the first touch.
Those who decide only after receiving lose time. Those who decide before receiving gain time.
Common Mistakes in Ball Reception and Their Causes
There are mistakes that regularly appear in almost every youth team. Knowing them allows you to address them effectively.
| Mistake | Cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Foot too stiff | Tension, nervousness | Stay relaxed, use leg as a shock absorber |
| Too much lean back | Body leaning backward | Shift weight forward |
| Ball runs under the foot | No active movement towards the ball | Move towards the ball |
| No open body stance | Habit, frontal alignment | Explicitly train opening up |
| First action too slow | Decision after reception | Train anticipation/forward thinking |
Incorporate Ball Control into Warm-ups
Warm-ups are the perfect time for technical building blocks. Not as a boring drill, but as a lively routine.
Short Warm-up Sequence (5–8 Minutes):
- 2 players pass to each other over 8–10 meters
- Alternating between ground passes and half-volleys
- After each reception: demonstrate open stance, then pass on
- Gradually increase tempo
This creates repetitions without feeling like a drill. And it prepares players for training – physically and mentally.
3 Drills to Practice Ball Control
Drill 1: Triangle with Directed Reception
Setup:
3 players stand in a triangle, approx. 8–12 meters apart. Each player stands at a corner.
Execution:
Player A passes to Player B. B receives the ball directed towards Player C – meaning already in the direction of the next pass. B passes to C. C receives directed towards A. And so on.
Focus:
The reception always points in the direction of the next pass. No stopping, no readjusting – direct directed reception.
Variation:
Change direction – suddenly the pass goes in the other direction. The reception must adapt.
Coaching Point:
Players should look where they will pass next *before* receiving. The eyes guide the body.
Drill 2: Short and Long Reception (Distance Variation)
Setup:
2 players, but with variable distance. Sometimes 5 meters, sometimes 20 meters.
Execution:
Coach or partner indicates the distance with a hand signal. Player A passes accordingly. Player B receives and passes back.
Focus:
The reception for a short pass is different from a long one. Short pass = less pace, less need for cushioning. Long pass = more pace, more body engagement in cushioning.
Variation:
Also vary ball height. Sometimes low, sometimes half-volley from 15 meters.
Coaching Point:
For long passes, move towards the ball – don't wait. Active movement towards it restores control.
Drill 3: Pass-and-Move with Directed Reception
Setup:
Small group, 4–6 players, open passing form with no fixed pattern. Everyone passes wherever they want, then starts moving.
Execution:
Player A passes to any open player and immediately starts running. The receiver takes a directed touch – in the direction they want to play or run next. Then repeat.
Focus:
Reception and next action as a single unit. Whoever receives the ball moves directly on. No standing still after reception.
Variation:
Add pressure – an opponent tries to press after the reception. The receiver must speed up.
Coaching Point:
Stop and demonstrate: What does a reception without direction look like? Then: What does a directed reception look like? Let them feel the difference.
Tip Against Pressure: Find Free Space Before Receiving
This sounds advanced – but it's trainable even for youth players.
When a player waits for the ball, they have time in that moment. Little, but time. They should use this time to look: Where is the opponent? Where is free space? Where is the next teammate?
This information shapes the reception. If the opponent comes from the left, the player receives to the right. If there's space ahead, they receive forward.
Those who look only after receiving are always too late. Those who look beforehand are one step ahead of the pressure.
This can be trained with simple tasks: "Before receiving, look where your next teammate is." Nothing more. Just that. Gradually, it becomes a habit.
4 Takeaways: Practicing Ball Control
1. Don't stop – carry it. The first touch leads into the next action. No standing still.
2. Maintain an open body stance. Half-turned towards the ball, eyes on the field. This creates awareness.
3. Relaxed point of contact. Use your leg as a shock absorber. Not stiff, not yielding – cushion.
4. Think of reception and the next action as a single unit. Those who decide only after receiving lose time.
FAQ: Practicing Ball Control
Conclusion
The first touch is no small matter. It's the moment when the game is decided – slow or fast, under pressure or free.
Those who practice ball control train the entire game. Improving the first touch enhances game speed, decision-making quality, and composure on the ball.
Start today. One drill. 10 minutes. The difference will be visible in two weeks.
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