What directional first touch means
The term sounds technical. In reality, it isn't.
A directional first touch means: not simply stopping the ball – but taking it in the direction of the next action.
Many players – especially children and beginners – aim to bring the ball to a dead stop. Stop the ball, assess the situation, then take action. That is too slow. In a real match, the opponent doesn't wait.
Instead, the rule is: the first touch already carries the ball towards the next action. If the next step is a pass to the right, the player controls the ball to the right. If they want to dribble forward, they take it forward. If they need time, they cushion it into their body and protect it.
This does not happen automatically. It must be trained.
Why the first touch determines the speed of play
Modern game formats – even in youth football – thrive on tempo. Not wild running, but quick decision-making. And the first touch is the starting point of every decision 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 must first retrieve the ball. Or they are positioned poorly. Or they need a second touch to get into position. In that time, the opponent closes in.
There is a simple formula:
Good first touch = more time. More time = better decisions. Better decisions = better play.
This applies to everyone – from U7s to adults. That is why it pays to make training ball control a priority, rather than an afterthought.
Controlling aerial balls vs ground balls
The first touch works differently depending on the type of ball. Two key distinctions:
Receiving on the ground (flat pass)
This is the most common scenario. The ball rolls in, the player receives it. Sounds simple.
Common mistakes:
- Foot too rigid – the ball bounces off uncontrollably
- No body commitment – the ball runs under the player
- Leaning back too much – the ball ends up behind the player
What matters: The leg moves towards the ball. The point of contact is soft – not giving way completely, but not stiff either. The inside of the foot provides the most control. And: decide where the touch is going while moving towards the ball.
Controlling out of 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:
- The player waits passively – the ball drops onto a rigid foot
- Leaning back too much – the ball bounces away backwards
- Wrong body part – chest or thigh are ignored
What matters: Cushion the ball, don't just stop it. The chest, thigh, or foot absorbs the ball and redirects its momentum – down to the pitch or towards the next action. The body is the primary contact surface for high balls, not always the foot.
| Ball type | Recommended receiving surface | Typical mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Flat pass | Inside of the foot | Foot too rigid, no cushioning movement |
| Waist-high ball | Inside of the foot or thigh | Leaning back, ball bounces away |
| High ball | Chest or thigh | Body too upright, no cushioning |
| Aerial ball from a cross | Thigh or foot | Waiting instead of actively attacking the ball |
The 4 core principles of receiving the ball
Open up to the ball
The body is half-turned towards the ball – not facing it head-on. Why? Because this allows the player to see both the ball and the rest of the pitch at the same time. Running straight at the ball means seeing nothing except the ball. That is not enough.
An open body shape is a fundamental habit that must be trained early. It doesn't develop automatically. Players open up when they have learned to do so – otherwise, they won't.
Keep the contact point relaxed
The leg receiving the ball is not stiff. It yields slightly – like a shock absorber. This is especially true for driven passes and aerial balls.
Tense touch = hard impact = uncontrolled rebound. You see this on every training pitch, with children and adults alike. The solution: stay relaxed. Yield slightly. Cushion the ball.
Use the right surface
Inside of the foot for control and precision. Outside of the foot for quick, directional touches on the move. Sole to stop and protect the ball in tight spaces. Thigh and chest for high balls.
Every situation demands a different surface. This must be learned – through repetition, not just explanation.
Control into your running path
The first touch leads into the next action. The player decides before receiving: where do I go next? This thought shapes the first touch.
If you only decide after controlling the ball, you lose time. If you decide before receiving, you win time.
Common mistakes when receiving the ball and their causes
There are mistakes that appear regularly in almost every youth team. Knowing them helps you address them systematically.
| Mistake | Cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Foot too rigid | Tension, nervousness | Stay relaxed, use the leg as a shock absorber |
| Leaning back too much | Body weight leaning backwards | Shift weight forward |
| Ball slips under the foot | Not actively moving to meet the ball | Move towards the ball |
| Body shape not open | Habit, facing the ball square on | Explicitly train opening up the body |
| First action too slow | Deciding after receiving | Train thinking a step ahead |
Integrating ball control into the warm-up
The warm-up is the perfect time for technical building blocks. Not as a boring drill, but as an engaging routine.
Short sequence for the warm-up (5–8 minutes):
- 2 players pass to each other over 8–10 metres
- Alternating between ground passes and waist-high balls
- After each touch: show an open body shape, then pass on
- Gradually increase the tempo
This creates repetitions without feeling like a tedious drill. And it prepares the players for the session – motorically and mentally.
3 drills to train ball control
Drill 1: Triangle with directional receiving
Setup:
3 players set up in a triangle, approx. 8–12 metres apart. Each stands at a corner.
Procedure:
Player A passes to Player B. B takes a directional first touch towards Player C – directly into the line of the next pass. B passes to C. C takes a directional touch towards A. And so on.
Focus:
The first touch always points in the direction of the next pass. No stopping, no readjusting – a direct directional touch.
Variation:
Change direction – suddenly the ball moves the other way round. The first touch must adapt.
Coaching point:
The player should scan where they are passing next before receiving. The eyes guide the body.
Drill 2: Short and long receiving (distance variation)
Setup:
2 players, but with variable distance. Sometimes 5 metres, sometimes 20 metres.
Procedure:
The coach or partner signals the distance with hand signs. Player A passes accordingly. Player B controls and passes back.
Focus:
Receiving a short pass is different from a long pass. Short pass = less pace, less cushioning needed. Long pass = more pace, more body involvement to cushion the ball.
Variation:
Vary the ball height as well. Alternating flat passes with waist-high balls from 15 metres.
Coaching point:
Move towards the ball on long passes – do not wait. Actively attacking the ball restores control.
Drill 3: Pass-and-move with directional receiving
Setup:
Small group, 4–6 players, open passing format without a rigid pattern. Everyone passes wherever they want and immediately moves into space.
Procedure:
Player A passes to any open teammate and runs into space immediately. The receiver takes a directional touch – in the direction they want to play or move next. Then repeat.
Focus:
First touch and next action as a single unit. Whoever receives the ball moves immediately. No standing still after controlling the ball.
Variation:
Add pressure – a defender attempts to press right after the touch. The receiver must act faster.
Coaching point:
Freeze the play and demonstrate: what does a touch without direction look like? Then: what does a directional touch look like? Let them feel the difference.
Tip against pressure: scan for open space before receiving
This sounds advanced – but it is trainable even for youth players.
When a player is waiting for the ball, they have time in that split second. Not much, but time. They should use this time to scan: where is the defender? Where is the open space? Where is the next teammate?
This information shapes the first touch. If the opponent approaches from the left, the player controls to the right. If there is space ahead, they take it forward.
If you only look up after receiving, you will always be too late. If you scan beforehand, you are one step ahead of the pressure.
You can train this with simple tasks: "Scan to see where your next teammate is before receiving." Nothing more. Just that. Step by step, it becomes second nature.
4 takeaways: training ball control
1. Don't stop it – take it with you. The first touch leads directly into the next action. No standing still.
2. Keep your body shape open. Half-turned to the ball, eyes on the pitch. This creates spatial awareness.
3. Keep the contact point relaxed. Use your leg as a shock absorber. Not stiff, not limp – cushioned.
4. Treat receiving and the next action as one unit. If you only decide after controlling the ball, you lose time.
FAQ: Training ball control
Conclusion
The first touch is no minor detail. It is the moment when the game is decided – slow or fast, under pressure or in space.
When you train ball control, you train the entire game. Improving the first touch improves playing speed, decision-making quality, and composure on the ball.
Start today. One drill. 10 minutes. The difference will be visible within two weeks.
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