A good first touch buys time. These exercises focus on receiving with the correct foot, opening the body and taking the ball away from pressure.
Most of them can be used as the technical block of a session and adapted from U7 to Senior players by changing the distance and the pressure.
6 exercises
Waves
A player receives while a defender closes in from one side and must take the first touch away from the pressure, through the gate on the free side.
IntermediateIntermediateBall Control
Circuit
One partner throws the ball in the air; the other cushions it with the instep, thigh or chest and plays it back on the ground or on the volley.
BeginnerAnalyticalBall Control
Circuit
Every player has a ball in a 20 × 20 m grid and follows the coach's calls: sole rolls, inside–outside touches, turns and changes of speed.
BeginnerAnalyticalWarm-Up
Circuit
A striker receives with their back to goal, turns around a mannequin and shoots. A second server immediately plays a loose ball into the box to finish.
BeginnerIntermediateFinishing
Circuit
Players pass around a diamond of cones and follow their pass to the next cone. A simple pattern to teach receiving on the back foot and playing on.
BeginnerAnalyticalPassing
Football-adapted game
2v2 over a line of cones on a 12 × 6 m court: one bounce and up to three touches per team. Ball control and volleys at a low intensity.
IntermediateIntermediateFun Games