Good First Touch Drill


Below is a good first touch soccer drill to work on at your training sessions. As has been said many times, if you don’t have a good first touch then playing soccer at a high level becomes very difficult.

The mark of a good first touch isn’t how close to your body you control the ball but where you control the ball – away from the defender and so you can make the next pass or dribble movement.

Field size: 30 yards by 20 yards

Number of players:  2 players or full team working in pairs

Age range: 10-12

Description: In pairs, setup two small squares where each player stands and make passes from a distance of about twenty yards away. 

The ball can’t leave the player’s square, a space of about six yards long and six yards wide.  Make crips and sharp passes in two or three touches max.

The key for this drill is that players want to have close control but also think about making the next pass in not three touches but two.  So it’s crucial to control the ball out of your feet and away from you so you can make the next pass.

Next, make this drill more difficult by extending the distance and making the squares smaller, or into triangles, so players have to play the ball at an angle. 

Later, force players to control the ball with one foot and pass it with the other, so the players are moving laterally, from side one side of the triangle to the other but avoiding hitting the point of the triangle.  Watch how Barcelona does this drill: Barcelona Nike Training: Control & Pass

Watch Barcelona do a few other drills:

Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.

Additionally, here’s a good drill for developing your first touch with a third player.

Some keys to think about:

  • Be on your toes and ready for the ball
  • Keep the ball on the ground when making the pass
  • Go to the ball and don’t wait for it to come to you.