FIRST TOUCH
Soccer Skills

First Touch is one of a player's most valuable skills and must be emphasized at every practice session. Recognized by U.S. Soccer and U.S. Youth Soccer as a key element of game mastery, dedicated practice on this skill can dramatically improve a player’s ability to maintain possession, speed up play, and excel at higher levels.

Imagine a scenario at the 18-yard line: a perfectly executed first touch pass sets up the striker for an immediate goal shot. Consider the fluid one-two-three of a give-and-go, all starting with that crucial first touch, or a defender who swiftly intercepts the ball and accurately lays it off to an advancing teammate in one seamless motion. In every case, a great first touch is the catalyst for success on the field.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

• 5 Essential First Touch Drills Every Player Should Master (by Matt Sheldon: Become Elite)
  …watch for the sweet nutmeg move at the end

• How to Coach a Soccer Team: One Touch Passing Drills in Soccer (by Coach Glenn: Expert Village)

• Coerver Coaching: How to Master Your First Touch (With Head Coach Alfred Galustian: FourFourTwo)

  • Drill 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0zWQzxlyLk

  • Drill 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BCOBXOyO-o

  • Drill 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbFDh79UwNY

• First Touch Soccer Drill to Help You Stay Calm Under Pressure (by Coach Ben, OnlineSoccerSkills)

• Using the Outside of Your Foot (by Coach Ben: OnlineSoccerSkills)

• Aerial Control (Gunners Soccer Schools Technical Director Joe Sutton: at Arsenal’s famed Hale End Youth Academy)

• Soccer Drills: Playing Under Pressure (The Coaching Manual)

• U10 Technical Training, First Touch and Passing Exercise (with Coach Dave DeHart: No Limits Soccer Academy)