First Touch Drills Young Players Can Practice
A good first touch gives a player time. The ball settles, the head comes up, and the next pass or move is easy to see. A poor first touch does the opposite. The ball bounces away, the defender closes in, and the play is over before it starts.
The good news is that first touch is a skill, not a gift. Any young player can improve it with short, regular practice. This guide covers simple drills you can use at home, at a park or at training. It also explains how the coaches at Formula Soccer Center's technical training for young players think about the skill.
What a First Touch Really Is
The first touch is the first contact a player makes when the ball arrives. It is not only a trap. A player can use the inside of the foot, the outside, the thigh, the chest or the sole. The goal is the same each time: control the ball and set up what comes next.
Good players do not just stop the ball. They direct it. A touch that moves the ball away from pressure, or toward open space, is worth more than a dead stop at the feet. That idea is the core of strong technical play.
Start With the Basics: Soft Surfaces and Quiet Feet
Young players often kick the ball back at the wall as hard as they can. That builds power, but it does not build touch. Begin with a gentle pass and focus on the receiving foot.
Wall Rebound Drill
Stand about five yards from a wall. Pass with the inside of the right foot, then receive the rebound with the inside of the same foot. Cushion the ball by pulling the foot back slightly at contact. Do 20 repetitions, then switch feet. Keep the ball close and the body relaxed.
Juggling Catch and Settle
Toss the ball up gently with the hands. Let it drop, then settle it onto the thigh or the top of the foot. Younger players can let it bounce once first. The aim is to feel how much give the body needs to absorb the ball.
Add Movement to the Touch
In a game, the ball rarely arrives while a player stands still. Once the basic touch feels steady, add steps and direction.
Try the open-door drill. Set two small markers about two yards apart and imagine a door. A partner rolls the ball in. The player receives it with a first touch that pushes the ball out through one side of the door, then takes a second touch to carry it forward. After a few rounds, the partner calls "left" or "right" as the ball arrives so the player must choose. Those new to the subject may find Cal South, the state soccer association helpful as a reference.
This teaches a key habit. Take the first touch away from the nearest pressure, not straight down at the feet. Coaches often call this a directional touch.
Receiving Balls in the Air
High balls scare many young players. They worry about the bounce and about getting hit in the face. Build confidence in small steps.
Start with a soft foam or size 3 ball if needed. A partner tosses it underhand at chest height. The player cushions it with the chest or thigh and lets it fall to the feet. Over time, move to throws from farther away, then to chipped passes. Keep the ball low in difficulty before it gets high in height. Success early builds the courage to try harder balls later.
Use Pairs and Small Groups for Realistic Practice
Solo drills build feel, but pairs bring in timing, speed and communication. Two players passing across five or six yards can work on receiving with each foot, using different surfaces and turning after the touch.
Add a simple rule: after each reception, the player must take one touch to set the ball and pass with the second. Then change it. Allow a turn after the first touch, or require a touch across the body. Small changes keep the drill fresh and push the player to think.
Small groups also help young players get many touches in a short time. That is one reason structured sessions work well. At Formula, coaches run Mini Ballers sessions that build early ball control habits for ages 5 to 8, with play-based games that keep touches high and pressure low.
How Often to Practice
indoor soccer fields for rentTen to fifteen minutes of focused touches, several days a week, beats one long session. Short work keeps attention sharp. A player who is tired or bored starts kicking the ball harder and caring less about quality.
A simple home routine might include wall rebounds, a few minutes of foot juggling and the open-door drill. Rotate the drills so the player does not hit a plateau. Encourage using both feet from the start.
Players who want more structure can look at membership options that give regular technical practice each week. The site lists once a week and twice a week plans at the time of writing, so confirm current details with Formula.
Measuring and Tracking Touch Quality
It is hard to see improvement by feel alone. A parent or coach can set simple tests: how many clean touches in a minute, how often the ball stays within a yard after reception, or how many times a player controls a pass from a partner without chasing it.
Formula goes further with objective testing. Its assessment of technical execution and other core skills gives players a baseline. Coaches can then track progress over time, rather than guessing. Nobody can promise a specific result, but a clear baseline makes the work easier to direct.
Where Equipment and Technology Help
Repetition is the heart of first touch work, and a ball-delivery machine can supply it. The FootBot training system sends balls at set speeds and angles so a player can receive again and again with no waiting. Learn more about the technology that supports first touch work at the center.
For players who want one-on-one attention, private training focused on first touch repetition lets a coach watch each reception and correct small details such as foot angle and body shape. Prices and times are listed on the site, so confirm with Formula before booking.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Stabbing at the ball with a stiff foot instead of cushioning it.
- Watching the ball only and never looking up to scan the field.
- Always taking the touch straight down, which keeps the ball in the defender's reach.
- Practicing only with the stronger foot.
Fix one of these at a time. A single clear cue, such as "soft foot" or "head up," is easier for a young player to remember than a long list of corrections.
Train Close to Home in the Valley
Families around the San Fernando Valley can reach Formula easily from the 101 and 405. For parents searching for first touch training in Van Nuys, the center sits at 15001 Calvert Street and serves Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Burbank as well.
The best way to see how a session feels is to visit. You can book a tour to see technical sessions in action and ask the coaches how they would shape a plan for your player. Once you are ready, the online booking system on the schedule page for technical training sessions lets you choose a time.