Soccer 1:1

Parents and Friends,

Receiving the ball in the air is a key technique to master especially with the federation prohibiting heading for U-11 kids and below.

Yet over the last few weeks I’ve observed quite a few youth games and players were really struggling when the ball was not on the ground.

Kids were shying away from these situations too and when you see that they probably haven’t been taught the mechanics of how to cushion the ball to feet.

Even if they have they may not have put in enough practice time and without sufficient repetitions players just aren’t properly prepared.

Of course, good soccer is about keeping the ball on the deck and completing passes.

But at the same time kids must work on scenarios where the ball is bouncing and off the ground.

If not then when there’s a long pass, clearance etc. they won’t be equipped to deal with it.

Here are my top FIVE tips for receiving in the air…

1) Move into the line of flight of the ball.
2)...

Parents and Friends,

When a ball is traveling at speed to a kid’s feet they will frequently let it hit their shin or kick it away first time.

It’s certainly alarming when a player wants to get rid of the ball!

Not to mention that they are displaying significant technical limitations and poor decision-making skills.

But it’s not a surprise because kids are often in environments where they are spending most of their time doing redundant drills.

They’re not being taught technique at every session.

And they’re not getting the touches they need to get to a comfort level that they can transfer to a situation such as a game.

It takes CONFIDENCE in your technique to get the ball under control quickly and keep it within playing distance.

But it’s under pressure that you’ll see poor technique exposed as players get overwhelmed.

The options for receiving a ball on the ground are the inside, outside and sole of the foot 

Using the sole has become...

Parents and Friends,

We’ve all seen players lacking the confidence to get on the ball. Not taking a touch.

But you can tell when a kid HAS that confidence and skill set.

They are aggressive, go hard to the ball and have the ability to stop it with INSTANT control.

Better yet they have what’s called directional control. With that first touch they place the ball where they want to, into space and away from pressure.

At Soccer 1:1 one of the first skills we work on with players is receiving the ball.

Teaching the correct mechanics requires instruction and to break bad habits we always have players on their toes and running to receive a moving ball.

Here are 5 great receiving tips:

1) Arms must be out for balance and to protect the ball.
2) Use the inside of your foot.
3) Toe should be pointed up and ankle locked.
4) Slight hop on the planted foot.
5) Touch the ball out of your feet.

You can get in repetitions by practicing with a friend. And of course, practice with BOTH feet!